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