Determining Biblical Authority
A General Introduction
by Dave Brown
Article Summaries
The articles given under this topic are specifically designed to present what the scriptures have to say about the authorization of the various practices for the organization, worship and work of the church. Rather than approaching them randomly, we recommend that you read them in the following order: Introduction to Biblical Authority - to the right on this page. God's Laws on Relationships - The application of a command, example or inference depends largely upon the organizational context in which it is given. Biblical Commands - The bible teaches both by command (direct statement) and examples, and in all cases inferences are required. Biblical Examples - We are commanded to follow the examples of Jesus as well as approved apostolic examples. This article provides the scriptural proof for this as well as a discussion as to the degree to which examples are to be followed. Biblical Implications - Examples are provided of Paul and Jesus using the implications of scripture to establish major points of doctrine (the authority for paying gospel preachers and the fact of life after death). Generic and Specific Commands - When do general commands authorize the specific actions that are necessary for their accomplishment? Example of Conflict Resolution (Acts 15) - The first century church had its conflicts, both personal and doctrinal. As we see examples of how these are worked out we can understand how God wants us to handle similar things today. This article deals mainly with doctrinal conflict since this is more in line with the need to recognize authority. Strictly Enforced - When we determine which passages we will observe and which we will ignore, this is no longer observing the authority of God; we have usurped His authority and taken it upon ourselves to decide what is and is not important. |
Introduction to Determining Biblical Authority
Jesus Christ is our King. As Christians, while we are pilgrims in this world, we are citizens in the Kingdom of God (1 Pet. 2:9-11). This kingdom, like all others, has laws for its citizens, and we should not do anything without it being authorized by the word of God. In this series of articles we will explore ways of determining biblical authority, and in this overview article we want to talk about biblical authority in general. We need to consider how this applies both to individual decisions we make in our personal lives (individual authority), and those that we make with regard to other organizations of which we are part (organizational authority). But the articles that will fall under this topic will be mainly directed toward the determination of authority for the organization, worship and work of local churches (church authority). INDIVIDUAL AUTHORITY Authority can be viewed right down to the individual decisions that you make on a daily basis -- how much sleep you get, what food you eat, recreational activities, etc. The New Testament provides much latitude in these things and generally it might be surmised that as long as an actions are not immoral, the Christian is authorized to do them. A study of 1 Corinthians 8-11 talks about a number of things that, in and of themselves, are perfectly moral and good. However, these things can become wrong when not done in love for God and our fellow man. The primary example used in 1 Cor. 8 was in response to the question of whether the Christian could eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols. The answer per se (if there were no other considerations) was yes -- it was not wrong in an of itself. However, it became wrong if: (1) if the individual violated his conscience in doing it; (2) It unnecessarily offended a fellow Christian's conscience; or (3) It caused someone else to sin in following the example because it offended his conscience. To this we might add the sin of gluttony and other sins that could be associated with eating in general. While it is true that we have no questions today regarding meat sacrificed to idols, it seems almost the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to choose something that does not have an application today so that we are not so blinded by the example that we cannot see the general principle that is established. Indeed the general principle is quite comprehensive. Can you think of anything that is not good and moral per se that cannot be so misused as to become sinful? Anything can be performed with an unloving attitude toward others, or with a prideful attitude within ourselves. We cannot think of any exceptions, no matter how righteous or noble the action. The laws of morality and of love are spelled out in the pages of the New Testament. While Christians have much latitude in the decisions that they make in their everyday lives, it is sinful to violate these laws even in doing things that have no prohibition per se. In many cases it is not the action itself that is wrong but the way in which it is done, or the attitude demonstrated by it. Christians are not authorized to violate any of God's laws in making their day to day decisions. ORGANIZATIONAL AUTHORITY The discussion of organization is a discussion of subjection of the individual. What is an organization but a formalized submission of some for the good of others. Some people resist all means of subjection, and these individuals will always be rebellious. A detailed article on God's Laws Within Relationships covers this subject in some detail. This section will present an overview of that so that we can see where it fits into the overall subject of authority. God has structured our society, and to a large extent allowed various groups to organize themselves within our society. We are to respect the structure of our society and not rebel against it as long as these organizations do not violate God's laws. When we talk of organizations essentially the subject relates heavily to subjection and relationships. We can enumerate the relationships that we have in our society from the most to the least importance:
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That each of these has a place is illustrated by Jesus' statement in Matthew 22:21: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Is this principle not one that would apply to all of these organizations -- render unto your employer that which is your employer's, unto the church that which is the church's, unto the family that which is the family's, etc. but especially and always, unto God the things that are God's. So, we are authorized to act within these relationships and to subject ourselves to their leaders, and perhaps lead them ourselves, provided we do not violate God's laws in doing so.
Before going on it is expedient here to point out the absurdity of one of these organizations trying to take on the responsibility of another. The police officer has the right to direct traffic and tell you whether or not you can go, and to give you a ticket if you violate his orders. But he cannot come into your house and tell you what you need to eat for lunch. Now that really example is intended to sound absurd. However, when someone claims that "anything that a family can do, the church can do" (and many Christians have made such statements) they fail to see the absurdity. Does an elder of the church have the right to come in and tell you how to arrange your furniture? Or to raise your children? Do you have the right to expect them to? Or the government? Of course not. Similarly, does the church have the right to go into secular business to support its God-given objectives? Many fail to see the problem here, but it is much the same. Think things through! In what context is a thing authorized, required or restricted? This is essential to understanding the concepts of biblical authority.
CHURCH AUTHORITY
Man's usurping of the authority that only belongs to Jesus Christ explains much of the division that we see within Christianity today. The church is a very special institution, and it is essential that we read and understand the principles that apply to its organization, its worship and its work. Many today take this very lightly and just tolerate the structures of the denominations as a necessary evil. The result of this is to allow those who would exercise power to dominate, dictate, and ultimately destroy.
Recognize that the church is not just an afterthought, or something that man has hatched together. Jesus said he would build his "called out" (translation of the Greek word for Church -- ecclesia). Matthew 16:18: "And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." And Satan has not prevailed against it, for given that Jesus built it, it cannot be prevailed against. However, the letter of Paul to the Corinthians and Jesus' letters to the seven churches of Asia in the book of Revelation clearly show that the church that Jesus built can be corrupted. Any knowledge of the evolution and corruption of the leadership of the church established on Pentecost (Acts 2) will show that there are many religious organizations that were not built by Jesus that Satan has prevailed against. When the church is organized at greater than the local level, this corruption can be as widespread as the central organization's influence. There is no authority in scripture for any organization of the church above the local level. If we are wrong here, please contact and correct us.
It is through the church that the manifold wisdom of God is made known. Ephesians 3:10; "... to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly (places) might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, ..." Or, conversely, when we fail to reflect God's wisdom in the church, then we make Him appear to be stupid (or perhaps non-existent) to the world.
There is only one head of the church. Colossians 1:18: "And he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." There is no other head to be found in the New Testament, and no other organization above that of the local churches, each of which had its own elders (Acts 14:23).
We have complete instructions for our conduct in this great institution of Jesus Christ. 1 Tim 3:14-15: "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly; but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
The mission of the church is also quite clear. Matt 28:18-20: "And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
It should be reasonable that when the church engages in activities for which it has not been authorized it dilutes and ultimately destroys its effectiveness, making it counterproductive to the mission for which it was instituted. For this reason, a large number of admonitions have been given to limit its activities to what God authorized (examples: 1 Cor. 6:4, 14:37, 2 Jn. 9, 1 Thes. 5:21).
It is time for each of us to resolve to get back to God's word so that we can know, and do, those things which are authorized by God.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Before going on it is expedient here to point out the absurdity of one of these organizations trying to take on the responsibility of another. The police officer has the right to direct traffic and tell you whether or not you can go, and to give you a ticket if you violate his orders. But he cannot come into your house and tell you what you need to eat for lunch. Now that really example is intended to sound absurd. However, when someone claims that "anything that a family can do, the church can do" (and many Christians have made such statements) they fail to see the absurdity. Does an elder of the church have the right to come in and tell you how to arrange your furniture? Or to raise your children? Do you have the right to expect them to? Or the government? Of course not. Similarly, does the church have the right to go into secular business to support its God-given objectives? Many fail to see the problem here, but it is much the same. Think things through! In what context is a thing authorized, required or restricted? This is essential to understanding the concepts of biblical authority.
CHURCH AUTHORITY
Man's usurping of the authority that only belongs to Jesus Christ explains much of the division that we see within Christianity today. The church is a very special institution, and it is essential that we read and understand the principles that apply to its organization, its worship and its work. Many today take this very lightly and just tolerate the structures of the denominations as a necessary evil. The result of this is to allow those who would exercise power to dominate, dictate, and ultimately destroy.
Recognize that the church is not just an afterthought, or something that man has hatched together. Jesus said he would build his "called out" (translation of the Greek word for Church -- ecclesia). Matthew 16:18: "And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." And Satan has not prevailed against it, for given that Jesus built it, it cannot be prevailed against. However, the letter of Paul to the Corinthians and Jesus' letters to the seven churches of Asia in the book of Revelation clearly show that the church that Jesus built can be corrupted. Any knowledge of the evolution and corruption of the leadership of the church established on Pentecost (Acts 2) will show that there are many religious organizations that were not built by Jesus that Satan has prevailed against. When the church is organized at greater than the local level, this corruption can be as widespread as the central organization's influence. There is no authority in scripture for any organization of the church above the local level. If we are wrong here, please contact and correct us.
It is through the church that the manifold wisdom of God is made known. Ephesians 3:10; "... to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly (places) might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, ..." Or, conversely, when we fail to reflect God's wisdom in the church, then we make Him appear to be stupid (or perhaps non-existent) to the world.
There is only one head of the church. Colossians 1:18: "And he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." There is no other head to be found in the New Testament, and no other organization above that of the local churches, each of which had its own elders (Acts 14:23).
We have complete instructions for our conduct in this great institution of Jesus Christ. 1 Tim 3:14-15: "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly; but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
The mission of the church is also quite clear. Matt 28:18-20: "And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
It should be reasonable that when the church engages in activities for which it has not been authorized it dilutes and ultimately destroys its effectiveness, making it counterproductive to the mission for which it was instituted. For this reason, a large number of admonitions have been given to limit its activities to what God authorized (examples: 1 Cor. 6:4, 14:37, 2 Jn. 9, 1 Thes. 5:21).
It is time for each of us to resolve to get back to God's word so that we can know, and do, those things which are authorized by God.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?