MAN’S NEED FOR BIBLE AUTHORITY – No.6
Past articles in this series have established the fact that not only does one need authority from God for all that one teaches and practices religiously, but that God has given the standard to use in determining what He authorizes and allows in matters of faith and practice. This standard is the New Testament, written down by Jesus’ apostles under the direction of the Holy Spirit Jn.14:25-26; Acts 1:1-2; Eph.3:3-6. What they wrote was to be received as the word of God and was just as binding as if God or Christ was speaking in person Matt.10:40; 18:18; 2.Thes.2:15; Phil.4:9.
Once the above facts have been accepted the question comes, how then does one determine how and what is authorized for Christians to believe and practice. It has long been recognized by men that there are three ways to determine whether something is taught or authorized. 1. By a direct command, precept, or statement, 2. By an approved example, 3. By a necessary inference or conclusion.
A direct statement, command or precept is something explicitly or positively stated to be done or not to be done. Ex, Lk.13:3; Acts 17:30 – all must repent. Col.3:9 – do not lie, Rom.13:9 – you shall not … commit adultery, murder, steal, etc. Few brethren have difficulty accepting the fact that commands and precepts are authoritative.
An approved example is implicit (not formally or explicitly stated, but implied). That the New Testament teaches by example should not be questioned by anyone. But one can and should question when a NT example becomes a binding one. The word “approved” is an important word in determining whether an example is binding or not. All examples are not approved or binding examples. The example of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 is certainly not a binding approved example. God showed His disapproval by striking them dead. The example of Simon trying to buy the gift of imparting spiritual gifts in Acts 8:18-23 was not approved of by Peter and John. An example is an approved binding example only when Christians are shown to practice something religiously and the apostles approve of it by word and/or participation. It then becomes a binding approved apostolic example. The apostles showing their approval means that God also approves of it since they have being directed by the Holy Spirit in their actions. Ex. Acts 20:7 – taking the Lord’s Supper on the 1st day of the week. Acts 11:28-30 – churches sending relief to sister congregations in time of need. There are some other aspects that must be considered in determining whether a NT example is binding, but that will be covered in another lesson.
A necessary conclusion, implication or inference is also an implicit act, not formally stated. An inference is neither stated nor exemplified, but is implied by the meaning of the language used. It is a conclusion logically drawn from the given facts or premises, but not all inferences are necessary to the understanding of a passage. If more than one conclusion can logically be drawn from the facts in the case, then it is not a necessary conclusion. It only becomes a necessary binding inference or implication when the conclusion drawn is required to make good sense of the language used to describe the action recorded. Ex. Lot with Abraham in Egypt Gen.13:1. It is not stated that Lot was with Abram when he left his father’s house, Gen.12:10, but he was with Abram in 13:1. The necessary conclusion is that Lot went with Abram when he left home but it is not so stated in the text. Acts 20:7 is not only an approved apostolic example to be followed by Christians, but it also necessarily infers that this coming together was done every week. The word “when” in the text shows the frequency of taking the Lord’s Supper. It was a weekly observance. In Acts 8:38 it is necessarily inferred by the language and the context, though not stated, that Phillip baptized the Eunuch, rather than the Eunuch baptizing Phillip. An unnecessary conclusion in Acts 16:15,33 is drawn by some seeking to justify infant baptism. They infer from these passages that since whole households were baptized that infants were baptized along with adults. This is not a necessary conclusion since all households do not have infants.
Let me illustrate how these three ways were used to settle a controversy over whether Gentile Christians should be required to keep the Law of Moses. The matter was settled using the three methods mentioned above. The answer reached can easily be seen by anyone who believes the word of God and uses common sense logic. Let’s see.
What is the problem? Acts 15. Is it necessary for Gentile Christians to be circumcised? Note how they reach the answer. First, Necessary Implications or Inferences. Both Peter and James drew necessary conclusions. Peter concluded that God made no distinction between Jew and Gentile v.v.7-9; 11:17-18. James concluded that the Gentiles should not be troubled by the Judaizing teachers, v19. Because of these actions the only logical and necessary conclusion to be drawn was that the Gentiles could not be forced to keep the Law of Moses and be circumcised.
Approved examples. Peter said God gave the Gentiles the Holy Spirit just as He did to the Jew v.8. Barnabas and Paul testified of how God showed signs and wonders among the Gentiles when they preached to them Acts 15:12. Both of these examples showed that God approved of the Gentiles without them having to keep the Law of Moses.
Direct Statements. Peter told how God commanded him to go to preach to the house of Cornelius v.7. James quoted the OT prophet Amos 9:11-12 that God was going to visit the Gentiles with the gospel v.15. The conclusion was that God never told the Gentiles to keep the Law of Moses. In fact, the letter written afterward to be circulated among the Gentiles, stated that the Judaizing teachers had received no authority to teach that the Gentiles be circumcised. Why? Note the words in v.24. “- to whom we gave no such commandment –“ So by necessary implications, approved examples and direct statements brethren were shown what was authorized and what was not.
(to be continued).
By Thomas Thornhill via THE BUCKHORN TEACHER Vol.6 October 21, 2007 No.11
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