[Biblemat] The Buckhorn Teacher 11-18-07

Fri Nov 16 00:02:06 CST 2007

THE  BUCKHORN  TEACHER

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2.Tim.4:2

Buckhorn church of Christ - Thomas Thornhill - editor. 13675 Hwy 341, Randolph MS 38864-9117. Tel. 662-568-2960. Cell 662-419-5378. E-mail thornhill1 at frontiernet.net 

Vol.6                                                 November 18, 2007                                            No.13

MAN'S NEED FOR BIBLE AUTHORITY - No.8

Previously it was pointed out that brethren have long recognized that the Bible teaches or directs us in religious matters in three ways: 1. by direct commands and precepts, 2. by approved apostolic examples, or 3. by necessary inferences or implications. All three of these ways were used in Acts 15 in determining that circumcism could not be bound on Gentile Christians. See issue of 10/21/07. But, there is much more to Bible authority than just these ways. They only give us the perimeters to begin the search for learning what God wants us to know, understand, and do. Several other things must also be taken into consideration, part of which was noted in the last issue in the discussion of general and specific authority. 

         It was also pointed out in the last article that these rules are not arbitrary rules men have imposed on the scriptures. They are rules of interpretation found in the scriptures, but not spelled out in technical terms, i.e., hermeneutics (the science of interpretation). These rules are derived by the use of the common sense God has given to each of us. With this common sense we can read His revealed word and reach the right understanding and conclusions about what He expects us to know and do to please Him. Paul made it clear that this is the case when he wrote "how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)" Eph.3:3-4. He further states "therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" Eph.5:17. If Paul expected those who read his word to have his understanding then it also stands to reason that God doesn't permit us to make interpretation of scripture to suit our personal preferences. When people fail to use the common sense rules presented on the pages of God's book it leads to confusion, extremism, and division, and this displeases God. See 1.Cor.1:10.    

         In the last article it was pointed out that all authority is either general or specific in nature. These terms were defined and illustrated in the command of God for Noah to build an ark. You are urged to review them as we continue to pursue the subject of how authority is determined. Now, let's illustrate these concepts further. 

         Remember, if the authority is general in nature, any thing, method or means of execution is allowable or included if it falls within the same class or order of the precept, example or thing commanded. On the other hand, if the command is specific in nature, any thing, method or means of execution is disallowed or excluded unless it is specified in the precept, example or thing commanded. Doing any thing else than what is specified is forbidden. Thus we can say general authority includes, while specific authority excludes. Note the following examples. 

General authority allows or includes choices. In Matt.28:19 is found the command, "Go." It does not specify how to go, so one can walk, ride, fly, sail. All of these come within the same class or order of the thing commanded, so choice is allowed in choosing which one will be used in fulfilling the command. 

In the same scripture, Matt.28:19-20, another command is found, "Teach," Again, we are not told where to teach or how to teach, whether in a private, public, or classroom setting. Nor are we told what method to use such as pulpit, radio, or TV. All fall within the same class or order of the things commanded, so choice is allowed as to where and which method can be used in teaching.  

A third command is also found in Matt.28:19.  We are told to "baptize" those who are taught, but we are not told where baptism is to take place. The Bible teaches that baptism is by immersion in water, but we are not told where this can take place. As long as there is sufficient water to immerse a person, there is a choice about the place. It can be in a river, lake, pond, bathtub, or baptistery. All come within the same class or order of the thing commanded, baptism by immersion. 

Now let's notice some examples of specific authority where no choice is allowed. In Num.19:2 the ashes of a red heifer were to be mixed with water for ceremonial cleansing. The scripture specified the kind of animal to be used. It had to be a red heifer.  That excluded any bull of the same color, and any heifer of a different color. It would also exclude any other kind of animal such as pig, goat, sheep, horse, etc. 

In Eph.5:19 we are told to "sing and make melody in our heart to the Lord." If the word had just said make music instead of sing men could have a choice between singing and/or playing an instrument of music, since both make music. But the Lord specified "singing" and this would exclude musical instruments since it is of a different class or order. God has made the choice about this matter and we have no right to change it.   

Another example of specific authority is in Acts 20:7. This verse specifies the first day of the week as the day for taking the Lord's Supper.  This would exclude any other day, Monday - Saturday, to be used for taking the Lord's Supper. Since God made the choice, we ought to honor Him by observing the Lord's Supper on the day He designated. 

But, in considering the matter of general and specific authority we need to study the use of expediencies and incidentals. An expedient is a method that may be a suitable or profitable way to accomplish something that falls under a general command. But not all expedients are allowable. Some expedients may be wrong. Roy Cogdill in his booklet "Walking by Faith" writes "Men have sought to justify a multitude of things by the claim that they can be practiced as expediencies. The common conception seems to be that the end justifies the means, and anything that will accomplish what we seem to think to be good whether it is authorized or not is permissible. In order for a thing to be a scriptural expedient in spiritual affairs in must facilitate in the accomplishment of God's will and must be in harmony with his word." Lesson 4, p.19. The thoughts on what is a proper expedient will be pursued in the next issue. 
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