How Does The Bible Authorize?

    The above is a very simple question, but it is very important to the Bible student who respects the authority of Almighty God and His written word.  The idea of authority is becoming less and less important in today’s world. The religious world as a whole needs desperately to answer this question.  It would practically eliminate every manmade religious organization if this question were to be answered honestly by all.  Let us briefly examine this very simple, but very crucial Bible subject.
    The Bible authorizes by direct command.  When God speaks, we need to heed His voice.  God’s voice rings loud and clear through His word (and only through His word).  Just like any father, God expects us to obey Him when He has spoken, because those things He commands are for the good of all.  What is meant by a direct command?  Take, for instance, Mark 16:16.  In this passage Christ in essence says be baptized or perish.  How much clearer can it be?  When the honest soul reads this passage, there is no doubt in his or her mind that he or she must believe and be baptized in order to be saved.  There are numerous other passages, which are direct commands God has given us, and we must heed them in order to be pleasing in His sight.
    The Bible authorizes by example. Take, for instance, Acts 20:7.  In this account we find the early church gathered together for in an upper room on the first day of the week to partake of the Lord’s Supper.  Are we to do the same today?  The question must be asked when determining whether an event such as this is binding, Is there a command behind what is being carried out?  Is there a command to partake of the Lord’s Supper?  Of course there is (Matt. 26; I Cor. 11:23ff).  Is there a command stating that the church must meet in an upper room?  No, that will not be found anywhere within God’s word.  Since we find them gathered to observe the Lord’s Supper upon the first day of the week, and since there is an underlying command to partake of the Lord’s Supper, then it is binding on us today to partake of the Lord’s Supper upon the first day of the week.  The former is an example, and as such it is binding upon us today.  That they met in an upper room is incidental, and is merely an account of action, none of which are bound upon us today nor will they ever be (at least not by God).
    The Bible authorizes by implication.  The idea of implication must be understood.  The speaker implies, the hearer infers.  Sometimes the hearer may draw the wrong inference from what the speaker implies, but it is the hearer who is at fault in such a case.  What is an example of implication?  Well the Bible nowhere mentions the name Patrick Morrison, but I know I must heed God’s word in order to be pleasing to Him.  When Christ said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give the a crown of life (Rev.2:10),” he did not address that directly to Patrick Morrison.  However, I infer from this passage that if I am faithful to the Lord to the point of death, he will reward me with that glorious crown. It is important to remember that whatever is taught by implication is just as binding as a direct command.
     Do you have a Bible question that deserves a Bible answer?  Do you want more information about this subject?  Feel free to contact the Mabelvale church of Christ at 455-2548 or by fax at 407-0072.  We may also be reached by e-mail at mabelval@cei.net, and we have a web page at www.cei.net/~mabelval.  On the web page you will find archives of all of the “Ask A Bible Questions” to date, as well as other items.  Also, tune into the Search television program on Sunday mornings at 8:00 on channel 4.