Authority1
2Direct Command – Apostolic Example3
As Christians, the discussion of how and where do we get the authority to do what we do and how we do it, becomes a discussion of God’s Word and what it tells us. In the Old Testament the Law was very specific, covering the functions of their worship and their lives in very minute detail. The books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy were written to give the Jews under that Law, very specific instructions concerning what they were to do and how to do it. In like manner, the New Testament Church has been given all that it needs to be the perfect bride of Christ. The Christian who has been added to the Church looks to God’s Word to learn what they need to do to be pleasing to God. Basically, there are three basic methods of ascertaining what God expects and wants from His children. First, there is Direct Command, then Apostolic or approved Example, and lastly, Necessary Inference, authority that is implied though not necessarily stated outright.
Any discussion of how we ascertain or derive authority, must begin with the concept of direct command. On the surface, it would seem that this should be the easiest to understand, God said it, we do it. That seems so simple to understand and apply. Yet, we need but look around us to see the misapplication, the misuse, the misunderstanding, even the perversion of what should be the most elemental concepts in our understanding of God’s word.
There are at least four words that are translated as “authority” in the scriptures…
epo (ep'-o); a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from NT:2046, NT:4483, and NT:5346); to speak or say (by word or writing):
ereo (er-eh'-o); probably a fuller form of NT:4483; an alternate for NT:2036 in cert. tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say:
KJV - call, say, speak (of), tell.
rheo (hreh'-o); for certain tenses of which a prolonged form ereo (er-eh'-o); is used; and both as alternate for NT:2036; perhaps akin (or ident.) with NT:4482 (through the idea of pouring forth); to utter, i.e. speak or say:
KJV - command, make, say, speak (of). Compare NT:3004.
phemi (fay-mee'); properly, the same as the base of NT:5457 and NT:5316; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. speak or say:
KJV - affirm, say. Compare NT:3004.
The idea in all of them is to make known ones thought or wishes, to speak or to utter. This is the point being made in ….
Heb 5:124
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
To be both pleasing to God and to be growing as Christians, we need to know the principles of the “Oracles”, the sayings, of God. These sayings are the authority of God and they are revealed in the Holy scriptures. Even Satan understood the supreme authority of God and of Christ as His son. Satan had been cast out of heaven by the authority of God. Christ was in the beginning with God. Satan knew who Christ was and the power that he had.
Matt 4:2-35
3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread ."
Note the absolute acceptance of Christ’s authority in Satan’s words. There is no hesitation or question in the statement made to Christ. The only caveat in the statement is “If you are the Son of God”. Satan knew that Christ had the power to do as he asked. Satan knew that the authority was His.
Before long the people began to understand the power of our Lord.
Luke 4:35-366
36 And amazement came upon them all, and they began discussing with one another saying, "What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out."
Luke 8:24-257
25 And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"
The Jews saw and heard the authority that had been given to Christ, they recognized the power of God in His words and deeds.
All authority has been given to Christ from God.
Matt 28:188
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Jesus, in turn, then gave His Apostles the authority to bind and loose in taking the word to the world…
Matt 18:17-199
18 "Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The Apostles carried the authority of Christ to the world through their teaching and examples. Christians in the early Church understood that to come to God through Christ they needed to respond to that authority.
Acts 2:41-4310
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
The Authority Of Christ Was Fully Exercised By The Apostles
A. The scriptures are perfect and complete, therefore sufficient (2 Peter
1:3; 2 Timothy 3:13-17; Jude 3).
2 Peter 1:1-311
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
B. We are forbidden to go beyond these writings (Galatians 1:6-8; 2 John
9-11; 1 Corinthians 14:37).
2 John 8-912
9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
C. We must follow the apostolic pattern (Philippians 3:16-19; 4:9; 1
Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 4:16-17).
Phil 4:8-913
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
How To Establish Authority From New Testament Scriptures
The first method of ascertaining authority is Direct Command…
A. Direct Command -- a direct statement or command in the scriptures. If youwere to tell your son or daughter to pick up their toys, you have justgiven them a direct command.
1. Commands are the most classic expressions of authority. In 1 Corinthians
11:23-26, we have a direct command to partake of theLord’s supper for a specific reason.
1 Cor 11:23-2514
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
2. Paul received the memorial of the Lord and gave it to the Church byHis authority (cf. Acts 15:19-20; Mark 16:15; 1 Corinthians 6:18).
Heb 10:23-2515
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
The faithful Christian is commanded to assemble and to not make a habit of missing the assembly.
The concept of Apostolic or approved example is that if we can see the Apostles or the New Testament Church engaging in a practice that is seen to be acceptable to God or is bound by the authority of the Apostles, then it becomes as a direct command, and is something to be heeded and practiced. That is what is meant by….
B. Approved example -- the practice of the church in the New Testamentunder apostolic guidance and which the apostles had received from theLord and therefore by divine appointment.
1. An example is a description of what someone did, teaching by“show” rather than “tell,” and it is approved because the conductmeets God’s approval.
2. We are told of giving regularly upon the first day of the week
1 Cor 16:1-216
16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
If this action was acceptable then, it is acceptablenow.
When we read that the disciples gathered together, we see the example of them assembling, the assembly that we are commanded to not forsake, and it was for the commanded purpose to break bread.
We read of the principle that baptism saves, 1 Peter 3, and we see the example of Phillip and the eunuch both going into the water so Phillip could baptize him.
When we respond to the authority of God’s Word in faithful obedience, we can place ourselves into a position to partake of the divine grace and mercy through the death, burial, and resurrection of our savior Jesus the Christ.
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