a study of authority. how do we distinguish between what we can and cannot do? how do we ensure that...
TRANSCRIPT
A Study of Authority
• How do we distinguish between what we can and cannot do?
• How do we ensure that we are pleasing to God and not transgressing His will?2 John 9
In previous lessons:• We discussed, What is your
source of authority?• Authority means permission• It should not be traditions,
conscience, wisdom of men, family, the majority or even the Old Law.
• It is the teachings of Jesus through Him and His apostles
In previous lessons:• We also discussed HOW to
establish authority• Command• Approved Example• Necessary inference• Such is true in every aspect of
life
TODAY
Types of AuthorityMark 16:15
Types of Authority
• In any statement of authority, there are generally 2 types of instructions:
• General • Specific• These apply in our service
to God as well
Generic authority
• Instructions that give you liberty (options) as to HOW to carry out some aspect of a command.
INCLUSIVE“make an ark” Gen. 6:14
•HOWHOW?? HammeHammerrSawSawAwlAwl
•God did not God did not specify specify CHOICECHOICE
•CHOICE CHOICE ALLOWED ALLOWED from variety from variety of optionsof options
Generic Authority
INCLUSIVE“go” Mark 16:15
•HOWHOW?? WalWalkkRidRideeFlyFlySailSail
•God did not God did not specify specify CHOICECHOICE
•CHOICE CHOICE ALLOWED ALLOWED from variety from variety of optionsof options
Generic Authority
INCLUSIVE“preach”, “teach” Mark 16:15, Matt. 28:19-20
•HOWHOW??
PubliclyPubliclyHouse House to to househouseClassClassAssembAssemblyly
•God did not God did not specify specify CHOICECHOICE
•CHOICE CHOICE ALLOWED ALLOWED from variety from variety of optionsof options
Generic Authority
INCLUSIVE“singing” Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16
•TypeType??HarmoHarmonynyUnisonUnisonSlowSlowFastFast
•God did not God did not specify specify CHOICECHOICE
•CHOICE CHOICE ALLOWED ALLOWED from variety from variety of optionsof options
Generic Authority
INCLUSIVE“assemble” Heb. 10:25
•WHEREWHERE?? TentTentHomeHomeRentalRentalMeetiMeeting ng househouse
•God did not God did not specify specify CHOICECHOICE
•CHOICE CHOICE ALLOWED ALLOWED from variety from variety of optionsof options
Generic Authority
INCLUSIVE“apparel” 1 Tim. 2:9
•TypeType?? DressDressPantsPantsBlouseBlouseRobeRobe
•God did not God did not specify specify CHOICECHOICE
•CHOICE CHOICE ALLOWED ALLOWED from variety from variety of optionsof options
Generic Authority
Generic authority
• It is NEVER exclusive.
• Involves details of given commands - HOW a command is fulfilled
Generic Authority• Expedients• An aid or method used to expedite or
facilitate the execution of a command• Sing – song book, leader, pitch pipe• Assemble – place, amenities to
facilitate the assembly• Teach – class rooms, chalk boards,
PowerPoint, etc.
Specific Authority
• A command where something is specified and thereby all other options are excluded
SpecificNoah ,“Gopher wood” Gen. 6:14-16
•GopherwoodGopherwoodOakOakPinePineCedaCedarr
•No CHOICE No CHOICE givengiven
•Only Only specified specified action action APPROVEDAPPROVED
•To change To change pattern was pattern was to disobey to disobey GodGod
NONOTT
Specific Authority
SpecificMoses,“Speak to the rock” Num. 20:8
•Speak Speak Strike itStrike itTake Take personpersonal gloryal glory
•No CHOICE No CHOICE givengiven
•Only Only specified specified action action APPROVEDAPPROVED
•Moses Moses denied denied Promised Promised LandLand
NONOTT
Specific Authority
EXCLUSIVE“music” Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, 1 Cor. 14:15
•SINGSING
Playing Playing an an instrumeinstrumentntHumminHumming, g, instrumeinstrumental ntal sounds, sounds, clappingclapping
•No CHOICE No CHOICE givengiven
•Only Only specified specified action action APPROVEDAPPROVED
NONOTT
Specific Authority
EXCLUSIVE“Lord’s Supper” 1 Cor. 11:23-26
• Unl. breadUnl. bread• Fruit of vineFruit of vine Beans & Beans &
cornbreacornbreaddBurger & Burger & cokecoke
•No CHOICE No CHOICE givengiven
•Only Only specified specified action action APPROVEDAPPROVED
NONOTT
Specific Authority
EXCLUSIVE“Modest apparel” 1 Tim. 2:9• ModestModest
BikiniBikiniMini skirtMini skirtShort Short shortsshorts
•Only Only specified specified detailsdetailsAPPROVEDAPPROVEDNONO
TT
Specific Authority
Specific Authority• Most commands contain both
generic and specific instructions. • For example:•Mark 16:15, “Go and preach” –
excludes not going.•Eph. 5:19 Singing – excludes
instrumental, but generic as to type (4 part harmony, unison, upbeat song vs. solemn, etc.)
Dangers of Extremes
• Accepting only generic authority
• If not specifically forbidden, it is acceptable
• Such appeals to silenceHeb. 7:13-14, 1 Cor. 4:6
Dangers of Extremes
• Accepting only specific authority
• Denies many options that are acceptable – binding where God has not bound.
• Examples – L.S. containers, no Bible classes, etc.
Respecting authority is the
only way to ensure we are
pleasing to God
Do you respect God’s word in
your life?