Ascertaining Bible Authority
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesMore and more Christians are not grounded in how to ascertain and apply Bible authority. While most Christians agree that “we must have Bible authority for all that we believe and do”, many do not know where to go from there. This has led to many unauthorized and sinful doctrines and practices within churches of Christ (1 John 3:4). Saying we must have Bible authority is one thing, but being able to properly ascertain and apply that Bible authority is another.
The inspired scriptures are our authoritative source for doctrine and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16-17). They fully equip us “unto every good work” because they are inspired of God (God-breathed). The only way to hear Christ today is through the message preached by His apostles and prophets (Matthew 17:5; Hebrews 1:1-2; Luke 10:16; John 13:20).
Once we understand that our authority to act with God’s approval is found only in the New Testament of Christ, we must then set out to “apply” that authority in our lives. To do so, we must know how God’s authority is revealed within the scriptures. The four ways of ascertaining divine authority in the New Testament are:
1) Direct statements (commands).
2) Apostolic approved examples.
3) Necessary implications (inferences).
4) Expediency
All four of these ways of ascertaining authority must be applied, from time to time, to what we believe and practice (2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). We should also understand that one way of ascertaining authority is not greater or more important than another. For example, a direct command does not carry more weight than an approved example. Neither is an approved example more important than a necessary implication.
Example Of The Lord’s Supper
For instance, Christ directly commanded that His disciples partake of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). When it should be observed (the first day of the week) is ascertained by an example in Acts 20:7, approved by the participation of the apostle Paul. While there is no commandment that the first day of the week is the proper day of observance we do not conclude that the time of its partaking is unimportant. Partaking the Lord’s Supper was the stated purpose for their first day of the week assembly (Acts 20:7). To change the day is to go where Bible authority does not go (1 Corinthians 4:6; Gal. 1:8-9). At the same time, the only way to ascertain the frequency of the Supper (how often should it be observed) is a necessary conclusion which is inferred from Acts 20:7. Since there is one first day of the week every week, we may necessarily conclude that every first day of the week is an occasion to partake of the Supper (cf. Exodus 20:8; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
Conclusion
It has been said by some that we do many things for which we have no authority. If this is true, then we are doing many things which are sinful! Acting without divine authority is iniquity (lawlessness), and will cause eternal death (Matthew 7:21-27; 1 John 3:4). To “do the will of the Father” our authority must be ascertained by direct commands, approved examples, necessary implications and expediency. Acts 15:7-21 is an occasion when an apostolic example, Acts 15:6-12; necessary inference, Acts 15:19-21; and direct statement, Acts 15:13-18 are used to affirm the freedom of Gentiles from the law of Moses. An example of expediency would be Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus said “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations….” The means by which we “go” is not specified by our Lord, therefore, we are given the freedom to use whatever means necessary to accomplish His command. We may go by plane, train, bus, car, walking, etc. We also may go via television, radio, Internet, etc. Let us use the above ways of ascertaining divine authority today for all we say and do (Colossians 3:17).