Establishing Scriptural Authority
Authority is that right to command and enforce obedience. When a person has the authority to command, then those who are under that authority must abide by the things commanded. There are four ways to establish scriptural authority.
1. Authority is expressed by direct commands. An example of a direct command is found in this language: "... this do in remembrance of me" (I Cor. 11:24). A direct command may be either general or specific in its demands. When a command is specific, only that which is specified is required and excludes everything which is not mentioned! In regard to the kind of music that is required for worship today, the Lord commanded vocal music or singing. (Eph. 5:19). Vocal music is a specific kind of music and the command for vocal music excludes instrumental music in worship. When a command is general, it includes all things essential to carrying out the command. An example of a general command is found in the word, 'go' (Matt. 28:19). A person may go by walking, flying, sailing, or riding and still just be doing that which was commanded — going.
2. Approved examples establish authority. Authority for observing the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week is found in an example. "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them..." (Acts 20:7). This is the only passage in the word of God that tells us what day to eat the Lord's Supper on. This is the only day, due to the absence of any other day being mentioned as a day to eat. Also, the Lord's Supper has to be observed every Lord's Day because every week has a first day!
3. Authority can be established by a statement of fact. A number of things are taught in the word of God which are neither examples or direct commands — just simply statements of fact. Here is an example: "For where a testament is, there must also be the death of the testator." (Heb 9:16). There is no command or example in this passage, just stating of a fact.
4. Necessary "inference establishes authority. There are some truths in a scripture which may not be mentioned but implied. For example, the Bible does not say that Jesus 'Went down into the water when He was baptized. But it does say that He 'went up straightway out of the water..." (Matt. 3:16). Now the only possible conclusion that can be drawn from his coming out of the water is that He went down into the water. This is a necessary inference.
When studying the Bible, if a thing is not taught in one of these ways, then that thing is not scriptural. Let's take a look at, some things which are practiced m the realm of religious matters but are unscriptural due to the lack of scriptural authority.
1. Sprinkling for baptism. There is no command, example, fact or inference for sprinkling but the Bible teaches immersion. (Rom. 6:3-4).
2. Church sponsored recreation. God never did command the church to provide and engage in such. In the absence of any authority for this, to engage in such is unscriptural. Fellowship halls, (misnamed, they are banquet halls) and kitchens in church buildings are unscriptural for God never did command the church to provide for such!
3. Instrumental music in worship. The only thing wrong with the use of instrumental music in the worship of the church is that there is just not any authority for its use. There is no command for it, no example of it being used in New Testament congregations, and there is no scripture which implies its use. The New Testament does teach us to sing. (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, Heb. 2:12).
4. Sponsoring churches. There are some churches of Christ which have set themselves up to receive funds from other congregations to do a work beyond their own ability as in missionary work and also in helping the needy. This not scriptural for there is not any authority for it. The New Testament churches took care of their own needy within the frame work of the local church. (Acts 6:1-6). The only time a congregation sent to another congregation was when they could not take care of their own needy and this was sent directly to the need. (Acts 11: 27-30). There is no Bible authority for one church sending to another church and they in turn send to have the word preached. The New Testament pattern is that churches always sent directly to the preacher. (Phil. 4:15-17). This is the reason that the Herald of Truth set up is unscriptural. There is just not any command example or inference for this type of arrangement!
5. Supporting colleges out of the church treasury. The church is not in the secular school business. Colleges are a human institution and the church has no scriptural authority for building and maintaining human institutions of any sort!
6. Contributing to orphan homes and other related homes. Let me hasten to say that I am not opposed or against (anti) orphans and needy people. The church has responsibility toward some (I Tim. 5:16) and so does the individual Christian. (Jas. 1:27, I Tim. 5:4,16). The Bible no where gives the church authority to send its funds to a board for that human board to take care of the needy.
Let's learn and learn well what is meant by Bible authority. In order for a thing to be right in the eyes of God, there must be authority for it in one of the ways already discussed.
- Elletsville, Indiana