How do we Establish Authority?
Part 3 on series on Institutionalism
By: M. Allen
FILING INFORMATION:
1997038
07/27/97 - Cyclone, KY; 08/18/02 –
Rapid City, SD
I. Introduction
A.
This is the third installment on our series on institutionalism. When we engage ourselves in such a
discussion as this, it is important that we keep the proper attitude.
1.
We must be concerned about what the Bible says. We must speak as the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent.
B.
Our study this evening is going to be on how Christians are to establish
Bible authority for the things they do.
1.
The root of the present division results from disagreement of whether or
not one can go beyond the authority of the Scriptures to engage in the work of
the church.
2.
Those who are more lenient in their approach to the Scriptures believe
and teach that Bible authority is not necessary
for all religious practices.
a.
Some have been led to the conclusion since the Bible does not say it is
wrong, then it must be all right.
b.
In other words, silence gives consent.
C.
In divine affairs, all authority inheres in God.
1.
"Authority" is defined as the
right to command or direct, to enforce obedience or administer punishment.
2.
All must realize man is not empowered to do as he pleases.
3.
As we have said time and time again, we must be able to give book,
chapter, and verse for what we do in the church.
a.
Is abiding within the bounds of scriptural authority really that
important?
b.
Are those who are more conservative in their approach to the Scriptures
"alarmist" as they have been called? Are non-institutional brethren "legalistic" and
more interested in rules than the souls of men?
c.
No, I believe we treat authority as a serious matter. Souls are involved, and souls are in
danger.
1.
Good intentions will not be enough on the judgment day. Mt. 7:21-23.
2.
We must understand the work of the church is to save souls, and to
glorify God.
D.
God has given Christ absolute authority over the church.
1.
Mt. 28:20 - All authority to Christ
2.
Heb. 1:1-2 - Christ the lawgiver in all things.
3.
Acts 3:22-25 - We must heed whatever the Lord says to us.
E.
Using the Bible as authority in religious matters and rejecting that
which cannot be established from the right or proper understanding of the Word
of God is the safe way and the sure way to be pleasing to God.
F.
This evening, we wish to talk about different classes and kinds of
authority, and then determine the methods that can be used to establish
authority.
1.
We will then look at some arguments from the left and show how
disagreement over authority has lead to division.
2.
Hope you will enjoy the lesson.
3.
Copies of the material used are still available.
II. General, Specific, Primary, and Delegated Authority
A.
There are two classes of divine authority. They are:
1.
General authority.
a.
Defined as including any thing, method, or means of execution that comes
within the class or order of precept, example or thing commanded.
b.
It would include all that is essential to accomplish what one is
authorized to do.
2.
Specific authority.
a.
Defined as excluding all that is not specified.
b.
It excludes every thing, method, or means of execution in the same order
or class, which is not particularly specified in the precept, example, or thing
commanded.
3.
In short, general authority includes. Specific authority excludes. The confusion of these two is part of the difficulty of the
human church.
B.
There are two kinds of authority. They are:
1.
Primary authority.
a.
It is defined as the original source of all power or authority.
b.
All divine authority begins with God.
c.
Scriptures which demonstrate this are: Rom. 13:1; Acts 17:28; Jhn.
19:11; 1 Cor. 15:27-28; Jhn. 12:48-50
2.
Delegated authority.
a.
Is defined as that which is given to another by the one who has the
primary authority.
b.
All authority of God has been delegated to His Son, Jesus Christ.
C.
Notice from the Scriptures, not
one single word has been delegated to mankind.
1.
Thus the NT represents the mind of God given to man in written
form. We must go by that way,
God's way.
III. The Methods of Establishing Authority
A.
There are three ways by which we learn God's will and establish divine
authority.
B.
Direct command or statement.
1.
This is when one reads from the Scriptures in plain and positive
language to engage in or not to engage in a certain activity.
a.
Ex., - Mk. 16:15.
b.
Ex., - Eph. 5:11 - an example of a direct command from an apostle.
c.
Both of these are direct statements of authority.
C.
Approved or Apostolic Example.
1.
By this we mean the practice of the church in the New Testament under
apostolic guidance.
2.
Examples serve to teach or warn others. Examples tell the Christian what to do and what not to do.
3.
E.g., Acts 20:7 - this is an example of divine authority which shows the
day of the week Christians are to partake of the Lord's supper.
D.
Necessary Inference.
1.
This authorizes by necessarily implying what is not directly stated in
obeying Christ. This is often due
to the meaning of the language used.
2.
E.g., Christians have been given the command in Mt. 28:18-20 to go preach the gospel.
3.
The word go necessarily
implies a means of going. How does
one go preach? It is by necessary inference that we
may use a car, train, or boat to fulfill the command to go preach.
E.
These are three simple examples with the three means of establishing
scriptural authority. If we cannot
establish authority for all we do by this means, then it goes outside the
borders of the words of God - and we become in jeopardy of losing our souls.
F.
This is why this subject is so important.
IV.
Arguments from the Left.
A.
Many who call themselves institutional call for a rethinking of the position that conservatives take on authority.
1.
Some argue that the idea of authority being established by command,
example and nec,. inf., is a 18th cent., man-made rule.
a.
A growing number of preachers reject apostolic examples and necessary
inferences as a means of establishing authority.
b.
In my research on the subject, I found a statement by Reuel Lemmons,
which is interesting. He talks of
a Christian church preacher who challenged his thinking about nec., inf.
c.
Someone had stated that we
learn that unleavened bread should be used on the Lord's table by necessary
inference and asked, 'Would it be scriptural to have ham and gravy on the
Lord's supper?' The Christian
church preacher relied, 'Why not? The Lord's supper was joined to a
"love" feast.' Lemmons cited this example
in his denial that examples and nec. inf., are binding.
2.
Some preachers believe the problems of conservatives are "they have
spent too much time in Acts-Revelation and not enough time studying the gospels
and learning about Jesus."
3.
Others charge that seeking to establish Bible authority by command,
example and NI leads to hard-line patternism. They suggest this is what has led to division.
4.
Some seek to justify their position with the argument - "we do many
things for which we have no authority." Or, "some things are permitted which are not
authorized."
a.
Those on the far-left call for a doing away of how we study the Bible
and apply the Bible by a new system called New
Hermeneutics.
V.
Disagreement over Authority Leads to Division
A.
The result of disagreement over authority leads to division and a
separation of fellowship between brethren.
B.
One of the differences between institutional brethren and
non-institutional brethren revolves around who is responsible for doing the
work God has assigned.
1.
The only Scriptural authority Christians have is to act first of all on
an individual basis, or the local congregation may come into play in certain
matters.
2.
The only organizational entity God has assigned to function and be
supported by its members is the local church.
3.
Any human institution is unauthorized to do the work of the church.
C.
Disagreement over authority has led to differences over how God assigned
Hos people to be overseen.
1.
org., of the first church was simple. When fully organized it consisted of elders, deacons, and
saints. (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23)
2.
The oversight of elders was limited only to the local church where they
were members.
a.
1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 20:28 - show clearly their supervision was not to go
beyond the local church.
3.
Those who disagree over how to establish authority generally have
extended the oversight of elders of large, prominent congregations over smaller
ones through "sponsoring" programs.
a.
Typically, smaller groups send donations to a "central" or
"sponsoring" church that then distributes money to a specific work.
b.
There is no scripture in the NT that authorizes this by the means of
establishing authority we have presented in this lesson.
4.
Differing views of authority have led to division over what the mission
of the church is.
a.
In the last few years the emphasis of many congregations has drifted
from spiritual to social. More and
more are finding it very difficult to distinguish the Lord's church from:
1.
A neighborhood service center; country club; or a recreational facility.
b.
Many liberal congregations are
building expensive fellowship halls, family life centers, gymnasiums, and
multi-purpose bldgs. with the justification of ministering to the whole man.
c.
It appears that many are more concerned with food and frolic and not on
spreading the gospel and saving souls.
1.
The Lord died for a higher purpose than eating & drinking.
2.
Rom. 14:17
3.
1 Cor. 11:17; 20-23
VI. Concluding Remarks on Authority.
A.
It is imperative that Christians have the desire to handle the word of
God correctly. We must realize
that our soul's eternal destination rests on the correct use of the Scriptures.
1.
When a questionable practice or activity arises we should, in kindness
and love, determine whether or not Bible authority exists for it.
2.
If there is no authority, we must steer away and go with God's way.
3.
This is the way to be pleasing to the Lord.
B.
Rev. 22:18-19
C.
Let us fear God and keep His word as has been revealed to us without
adding to or taking away from it.