Watching Our Language
"We do many things for which we have no Bible authority, nor do we need any." No, this statement was not made by a Roman Catholic, but by one who claims to be a Christian after the New Testament order.
It is this writer's conviction that such a statement is typical of an attitude held by many brethren that we are not necessarily bound to practice only that for which we can give Bible authority.
Let us consider the "language" of the Holy Spirit as inspired writers recorded it in the holy scriptures:
"And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Col. 3:17.)
Nothing could be clearer from this verse than the fact that Christians must do all that they do by the authority of ("in the name of") the Lord Jesus. Since his authority is revealed to us in his New Testament, we must study it to be sure that we do have Bible authority for that which we do. (II Tim. 2:15.)
"Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (II Tim. 3:16f.)
Brethren who believe we can practice anything without Bible authority need to take a long careful look at this verse. This teaches that the Bible furnishes the Christian "completely unto every good work." If we believe this truth, we cannot possibly believe that we can "do many things for which we have no Bible authority."
Truly, we need to watch our language, because ... out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh ... And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matt. 12:3637.)