Generic & Specific Commands
2 Types of Bible Authority:Generic Authority
“applying to any member of a group or class” – Encarta Dictionary
2 Types of Bible Authority:Specific Authority
with individual qualities that allow a distinction to be made or make a distinction necessary
– Encarta Dictionary
Something particular; definite; unique; a particularly notable quality or attribute
2 Types of Bible Authority:Generic (Ex. “Hand me a Bible.”)
Bible: Specific type of book…a Bible… …but generic in the sense it could be any Bible.
Specific (Ex. “Hand me my KJV Bible.”)Specifics: Must be my Bible and must be my KJV Bible.
ExpedientsDefined:
Something profitable, helpful or advantageous for practical reasons; something appropriate, advisable or useful in a situation that requires action.
In order for something to be expedient:• It must be lawful…• It cannot be specified in the word of God…• It must edify…•It must not offend the conscience of another Christian…
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: Abraham Offers Isaac
(Genesis 22:2) Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son
Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and
offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the
mountains of which I shall tell you." (NKJV)
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: Gathering Manna
A Test: “…that I may test them,
whether they will walk in My law or not.”
(Ex. 16:4)
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: Gathering Manna
(Exodus 16:16) "This is the thing which the LORD has
commanded: 'Let every man gather it according to each one's
need, one omer for each person, according to the
number of persons; let every man take for those who are in
his tent.'" (NKJV)
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: Gathering Manna
(Exodus 16:5) "And it shall be on the sixth day
that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as
much as they gather daily." (NKJV)
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: Gathering Manna
(Exodus 16:8) Also Moses said, "This shall be seen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full;
…
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: Gathering Manna
(Exodus 16:19) And Moses said, "Let no one leave any of it till morning."
(NKJV)
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: Gathering Manna
When they obeyed it did not rot: (Exodus 16:23-24)
Israel failed the test of obedience:(Exodus 16:20)
Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them
left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And
Moses was angry with them. (NKJV)
Illustr
ates t
he Nee
d to
Obey Spec
ific Authority
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: Lord’s Supper
(Matthew 26:26) And as they were eating, Jesus took bread,
blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take,
eat; this is My body."
(Luke 22:19) And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and
gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: Lord’s Supper
(Matthew 26:27-28) Then He took the cup, and gave
thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. "For this is My blood of the new
covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (NKJV)
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample:
Evangelism
(Matthew 28:18-20) And Jesus came and spoke to
them, saying…"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you…
GENERIC VS. SPECIFIC AUTHORITYExample: “Sing”
(Ephesians 5:19) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your
heart to the Lord, (NKJV)
(Matthew 18:18) "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you
loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven. (NKJV)