Make An Ark of Gopher Make An Ark of Gopher WoodWood

Generic and Specific Authority

Bible AuthorityBible Authority Religious authority comes from God

because he is our Creator (Gen. 1:1) and God expresses his authority through his word (Heb. 1:1-2)

Both the OT and the NT exemplify the need for God’s authority in our life

There is also a need to distinguish the different covenants in the Bible and handle accurately the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15)

Bible AuthorityBible Authority God authorizes a practice sometimes by

speaking generically (allowing for aides, expediencies) and sometimes by speaking specifically or explicitly (not allowing any additions)

An “aid” or “expediency” (lit. to carry out) is something that helps to carry out a general statement

An “addition” is something in addition to what has been specifically or explicitly stated

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific AuthorityGenesis 6:13-21Genesis 6:13-21

Generic Specific

“Make an ark…” “Ark of gopher wood…”

Aids (Expediencies) Allowedtools, equipment, transportation, etc.

Additions Not Allowedchariot, wagon, oak, maple, cherry, iron, stone, etc.

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific AuthorityExodus 12:1-28Exodus 12:1-28

Generic Specific

“Take a lamb…” “Lamb without blemish, a male a year old…”

Aids (Expediencies) Allowedraise it, buy it, gift, etc.

Additions Not Allowedox, chicken, blemished, female, two year old, etc.

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific AuthorityMark 16:15-16Mark 16:15-16

Generic Specific

“Go into all the world and preach … is baptized”

“preach the gospel … he that believes and is baptized shall be saved”

Aids (Expediencies) Allowedmethod of travel or teaching, ample water, etc.

Additions Not Allowedeconomics, politics, business, philosophy, “faith only,” pray, sprinkling, etc.

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific Authority1 Corinthians 11:20-341 Corinthians 11:20-34

Generic Specific

“Eat this bread … drink this cup”

“Bread … cup” (unleavened bread, fruit of the vine – Mt. 26:26-29)

Aids (Expediencies) Alloweddistribution, containers, etc.

Additions Not Allowedmeat, potatoes, hot dogs, hamburgers, coke, etc.

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific Authority1 Corinthians 14:23-261 Corinthians 14:23-26

Generic Specific

“the whole church be assembled … When you come together…”

“worship God … each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation…”

Aids (Expediencies) Allowedtime, place, building, etc.

Additions Not Allowedassembling for fun, food, entertainment, etc.

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific Authority1 Corinthians 16:21 Corinthians 16:2

Generic Specific

“Let each one of you lay by him in store … no collections when I come”

“Upon the first day of the week … lay by him in store”

Aids (Expediencies) Allowedpass a basket, bank account, etc.

Additions Not Alloweda day other than Sunday, raffles, bingo, business, etc.

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific AuthorityEphesians 5:19Ephesians 5:19

Generic Specific

“Speaking … singing and making melody…”

“psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing … with your heart…”

Aids (Expediencies) Allowedsongbook, song leader, pitch pipe, four-part, etc.

Additions Not Allowedpop, country, rock, oldies, instruments of music, etc.

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific Authority1 Timothy 2:1-21 Timothy 2:1-2

Generic Specific

“…who shall be able to teach others also”

“And the things which you have hear from me … the same…”

Aids (Expediencies) Allowedone or more classes, materials, visual aides, etc.

Additions Not Allowedany subject other than the gospel

ExpedienciesExpediencies Expediencies must have [generic] authority

behind it (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23)

Expediencies must edify (1 Cor. 10:23-33; 14:26)

Expediencies must not offend the conscience (1 Cor. 10:32; Rom. 14:13-23)

Expediencies must not add to or substitute for God’s way specified way (2 Jn. 9; Rev. 22:18-19)

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific Authority Generic authority is unspecified as to

details, allowing for any authorized aid or expediency to carry out the command (there is latitude, freedom, and judgment according to one’s time, place, and ability)

Specific authority is explicit, specified as to details, not allowing any additions; all other alternatives are excluded (there is no latitude, freedom, or judgment)

Generic and Specific AuthorityGeneric and Specific Authority Be as general as God is general (don’t add

any specifics of your own) and be as specific as God is specific (don’t add any generalities of your own) - Mt. 16:19; 18:18

Do not make specific what God has made generic (Acts 15:10,28; Gal. 5:1)

Do not make generic what God has made specific (1 Chron. 13:6-14; 15:13-15)