ESTABLISHING
SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY
INTRODUCTION: In talking about establishing authority for our practices in service to God, we are talking about how to apply the scriptures in the appropriate way. It is really a discussion of how to determine from the complex variety of writings in the Bible the things that God would be pleased for us to do. How can we determine from the poetry, drama, history, wisdom, and prophecy the things that will please God in our lives? Can we understand the will of God for us? How can we determine that will appropriately?
Hermeneutics is the” science of interpreting the Bible” (or any piece of literature). The word comes from a Greek word, “hermeneuo” which means “to interpret or to explain”. (Holman Bible Dictionary, p.179, 180) The way of law, even the law of the land is to look at the legal documents pertaining to the issue, gathering from the statements, commands, and even examples (case studies where previous decisions of law seem pertinent), and drawing the necessary inferences that these sources provide. Jesus and the early apostles seemed to have used these very things in their applications of divine law.
In some circles of fellowship between people, even in churches of Christ, there is the idea that no hermeneutical principle is valid. There is a growing desire to cast away the old idea that scriptural authority is necessary or that it can be derived from commands, statements, and examples. The appeal some preachers are making for a “new hermeneutic” ends in never‑never‑land.
CENI is a useful abbreviation for “Commands, Examples, and Necessary Inference”. That is a simple way of looking for authority. However, it is not perfect or exhaustive of all the contextual considerations that must be made along with that formula. There are some who are overly critical of that formula. Beware of them, because they usually never have any better formulas or offer a better approach to establishing biblical authority. The truth is that they usually do not desire to submit to biblical authority, and they resent those who think authority is essential. (Read II Peter 2 about this mentality). It is easy to criticize an old way of interpretation by remaining vague and uncommitted as to the right way of interpretation. There is a sense of safety in vagueness because one never has to defend anything and never has to say “this is right and that is wrong”. This vagueness allows one to rub elbows with denominational churches because it doesn’t feel a need to stand for “truth” on anything since no one can really be sure they know the truth on anything (according to them).
How do we establish scriptural authority today?
I. DETERMINE THE PERIMETERS OF THE “PATTERN” ON THE SUBJECT.
THERE ARE TWO WAYS
#1 Commands or direct statements that have a bearing.
#2 Approved examples that have a bearing.
II. THE “PATTERN” IS DETERMINED BY ALL THAT IS NECESSARILY INFERRED FROM YOUR SOURCES.
A. For example: What does the Bible say about baptism? All the pertinent information on that topic creates the pattern to be followed today. The two sources of information lead to necessary conclusions to be drawn. The totality of that information represents the pattern of sound words on that topic.
B. The same would be true on the Lord’s supper, church organization, cooperation of churches, the work of the church, worship, music, morals, church discipline, marriage, divorce, the family, etc.
III. DETERMINE IF THE PATTERN GIVES GENERAL AUTHORITY OR LIMITS BY SPECIFICATIONS.
A. VIOLATORS OF SPECIFIC AUTHORITY:
1. Nadab and Abihu. (Lev.10) Got fire from an unauthorized place.
2. David, the ark on a cart. The law specified how to transport the ark. (II Sam.6). He ignored the pattern.
3. Saul, sparing King Agag and the best sheep . . . violated specific instructions. (I Sam.15)
4. These serve as warnings that we should not do the same kind of things they did. (Rom.15:1‑4; I Cor. 10)
B. ILLUSTRATIONS OF SPECIFIC AUTHORITY:
1. Ark
2. The animal and meal offerings. Again, no choice is allowed. (Lev.1‑3)
3. Unleavened bread, fruit of the vine. (Matt.26) Choice?
4. Buried in baptism. (Rom.6; Col.2:12) Choice?
5. Sing, make melody in heart. (Eph.5:19) Choice?
C. ILLUSTRATIONS OF GENERAL AUTHORITY:
1. Abraham – “get out of your country” (Gen.12:1). Walk, ride a horse, ride a camel, ride a wagon. He has general authority to go however he sees fit.
2. Noah – “make yourself an ark” (Gen.6:14). Use an ax, a hammer, a saw, rope, chisels, etc. He has general authority to use whatever tools he sees fit.
3. Assemble: find a suitable place and time, rent a place, or buy a place. . . whatever it takes to assemble with the saints. (Heb.10:25)
4. Sing: learn a song from memory and pass it along, acquire some songs from a song writer, purchase a collection of songs in a book. . . .whatever it takes to sing is authorized.
5. Teach: designate teachers, times to assemble, learn and teach, acquire teaching tools such as power point, whiteboards, overhead projectors, etc. . . whatever it takes to teach is authorized unless the pattern restricts by specification.
D. DETERMINE WHAT IS AUTHORIZED AND WHAT IS EXPEDIENT IN CARRYING OUT THE WILL OF GOD AS EXPRESSED IN THE PATTERN.
IV. ARE ALL COMMANDS AND EXAMPLES RELEVANT TOWARD DETERMINING A PATTERN?
A. using Common sense helps one determine that “INCIDENTALS” are irrelevant TO a pattern.
1. We find an example of someone learning God’s will while riding in a chariot (Acts 8). Does that imply that we must ride in a chariot to learn the truth? Was that only incidental, unnecessary to the chief purpose of the story?
2. Was meeting in an “upper room” just incidental? (Acts 20:7f) . . . or is there a “pattern” that suggests a binding purpose?
B. DOES AN EXAMPLE NECESSARILY LEGISLATE A NEW PRACTICE OR REGULATE A CULTURAL PRACTICE . . . CUSTOM?
1. Foot washing was cultural custom regulated by divine law but not LEGISLATED regardless of culture. Feet were commonly dirty due to the nature of shoes and travel and roads. Clean feet were not the objects of this service. (Jn. 13)
2. Kissing as a form of greeting. Did God impose a new way of greeting, or did He legislate that in your customary greeting make sure it is “holy”? (Rom.16:16)
C. IS A PRACTICE LIMITED FROM THE PATTERN BECAUSE IT WAS PART OF A TEMPORARY SYSTEM and had temporary objectives?
1. Rules concerning spiritual gifts. (I Cor.12‑14) They cannot be copied today. Perhaps principles of order apply, but the gifts specifically discussed cannot be regulated when we do not have them to regulate.
2. Pray “Thy Kingdom Come”. After the kingdom came, (Col.1:13) it is more appropriate to pray that it increase, grow, expand, and be realized in more hearts; however, praying for the kingdom to come had a limited context.
D. IS A PRACTICE LIMITED BECAUSE IT WAS PERSONALLY ADDRESSED TO SOMEONE SPECIFIC?
1. “Bring the books and the parchments” (2 Tim.. 4:13) Can we bring Paul the books?
2. “Greet Priscilla and Aquila” (Rom. 16:13) Can we obey “greet Priscilla and Aquila ” today?
Conclusion: There is a common sense way to determine authority from the scriptures just as we would determine what is lawful or “constitutional” under the laws of the land; however, it is not always simple for every subject matter. We must be willing to search and handle the scriptures appropriately, carefully, and prayerfully. Those who really want to know the truth can find the “pattern of sound words” pertaining to all issues that pertain to life, godliness, and service to God. - Terry W. Benton
QUESTIONS:
1. Can the Bible be understood? Give scripture to prove it.
2. What two sources are used to reach necessary conclusions?
3. Is there a pattern of sound words on the subject of baptism, for example?
4. How is that pattern determined?
Biblical example:
5. Is there a pattern of sound words on the work of the church?
Biblical example:
6. Is there a pattern of sound words on church-to-church contributions?
Biblical example:
7. Does one have to have at least general authority for what he does? Why?
8. Does specific authority limit in any way? How?
9. What is a New Testament example of something specified?
10. What is a simple, but useful, formula to remember in trying to gather proper information to determine a “pattern”?
