A Study of Authority (4)
The Nature of Authority:Specific and Generic
In our study thus far:
• What is authority?• How to establish authority?• Examining the “new
hermeneutic”• Today – the nature of
authorityAlso additions & aids
Specific authority
• Consider the details of a blueprint – it must be followed exactly!
• When something is specified, there is no room for deviation.
• By its nature it excludes all other options
Specific authority
•Joshua 1:7-8, “do not turn to the right hand or to the left”
• The tabernacle and priestly service (Exodus 25-28, cf. 25:40, 26:30, 27:8, etc.)
• Noah in building the ark – type of wood, size, decks, etc. (Gen. 6:14-16)
Specific authority
•Numbers 20:7-11, Moses disobeys God’s specific instructions
• Naaman told to dip in Jordan River 7 times (2 Kings 5:10-12)
•John 9:7, Blind man to wash in pool of Siloam.
Specific authority - Today
•Matt. 28:19, Go, make disciples of all nations –
• - GO is specified – not going is not an option
• - All nations – no authority to exclude nations or peoples (though a timeframe was established Acts 1:8)
Specific authority - Today•Ephesians 5:19, Col. 3:16,
Sing, singing to one another, teaching
• - Singing – not playing instruments• - To one another – not choirs or
entertainment• Teaching – must be scriptural• Psalms, hymns & spiritual songs –
NOT pop music, orchestra pieces
Specific authority - Today
•1 Timothy 2:9, “modest apparel”
• - We must determine what is modest – using God’s standard (propriety, moderation, etc.)
• - That which is NOT modest is not authorized!
Generic authority• Consider the details of a blueprint –
while much is specified, perhaps some details are left up to discretion of builder or buyer – color, type of flooring, etc.
• Generic authority means we have discretion in carrying out some aspect of a command. It is inclusive and gives us choices
Generic authority • Noah, while given many specifics,
he could choose which tools or resources he could use
•Matt. 28:19, Go make disciples – HOW to go not specified – walk, sail, chariot, animal, etc.
• How to teach not specified – public, house to house, written or oral, etc.
Generic authority – today
• Ephesians 5:19, sing – the type of song is not specified – unison, harmony, responsive, fast, slow, etc. – our choice
Generic authority – today
• Matthew 28:19, Go! – how we go not specified – train, car, plane, walking, ship, etc.
• Teach – write, publicly or privately, use emails, internet, newspapers, correspondence courses, etc. Gospel meetings.
Generic authority – today
• Hebrews 10:25, Assembling – necessitates a place – no specified – a building, rent a store front, meet in a home, at a school, etc. HOW many times we assemble not specified (though it must be at least once on Sunday)
Generic authority – thoughts• Generic authority always based
upon a command – it addresses how to carry out some part of that command (which is not specified)
• NOT a blank check to do whatever you want to do! We must respect limitations
• Silence is NOT generic authority!• Most commands have a degree of
both specific and generic authority
Aids vs Additions• An aid helps us facilitate a
command • A building is an expedient to help
us assemble (along with the amenities that help us carry out authorized work)
• Singing – pitch pipes, song books, a song leader, etc.
Aids vs Additions• An aid helps us facilitate a
command • Lord’s Supper – trays & cups• Teaching - PowerPoint, black
boards, bulletins – help us teach the gospel (sometimes more clearly – remember that Jesus used illustrations).
Aids vs Additions
• In utilizing aids:• They are left unspecified in
scripture (non-essentials, non-binding)
• They are expedient (helpful)• They should edify – rather
than divide (1 Cor. 10:23)
Aids vs Additions
• An addition is something of a different kind than the command.
• It is outside the boundaries of a command.
Aids vs Additions
• Instrumental music is an addition.
• It is a different KIND of music than singing.God specified “sing”, NOT “make music” (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, 1 Cor. 14:15, etc.)
Aids vs Additions
• Instrumental music :
• Some argue, “make melody” in Eph. 5:19 authorizes instruments. But notice the text – that which we “pluck” is mentioned – in our hearts. We use our hearts in singing!
Aids vs Additions
• Instrumental music:
• Some argue, “make melody” in Eph. 5:19 authorizes instruments. But notice the text – that which we “pluck” is mentioned – in our hearts. We use our hearts in singing!
Aids vs Additions• Instrumental music:• Some say the instrument is an
expedient (an aid) – • NO! It is a different TYPE of music
than singing (singing and playing are parallel types of music)
• A specific instrument would be an aid if we were commanded to play!
Aids vs Additions• Instrumental music:• Some say the instrument is an aid to
facilitate our singing (like a cane aids in walking)
• NO! IM is a different type of activity than singing! (a cane is not a type of walking, it aids one in walking)
• To say IM is an aid to singing is akin to saying a cane and walking are different & equal forms of “going”
• The arguments are NOT parallel
Aids vs Additions
• We are NOT to add to God’s word!•Deut. 12:32•Rev. 22:18-19•1 Cor. 4:6•Proverbs 30:5-6
In studying authority, we need reason as we apply God’s
word to our lives.
Let us always respect His boundaries