| September 3, 2000 |
Vol. III, No. 18
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[Editor’s Note: The following article is well written and much needed. This editor, however, does find it necessary to take exception to the description in the ninth paragraph regarding the rule of elders. Robert F. Turner in PEOPLE OF GOD has expressed what we believe the Bible to teach: “...each local church appoints its own overseers, who “rule” only in those matters of judgment left to man; and... that each Christian is a “priest” and must answer to God individually for his worship and service. Matters of faith are determined by Jesus Christ, who rules and will finally judge all by His word.” --crj]
About thirty years ago I heard a sermon preached by Harry Pickup, Jr., on the subject of how to establish authority. For some it seems difficult to resolve the age-old problem of “How do we establish authority?” in the field of religion but Harry showed that the problem does not need to be as difficult as some would make it. Let us do as he did and break it down into four simple questions; which, when answered, make it a very elementary question. In fact, when I preach this I encourage the eight year old children in the audience to pay attention because I plan to quiz them as they leave the building. Nearly all can tell me exactly what the four questions are and how they should be answered.
What is authority?
That dictionary definition is borne out in scripture. The centurion recognized that in Matthew 8:8-10. Upon hearing that Jesus would come to his house to heal his servant he said: “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof but just say the word, and thy servant will be healed. ‘For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone In Israel.”
His understanding of authority is caught up in the fact that he was one under authority and had others under himself. When he gave a directive, it was to be followed exactly as given. That is what accepting of authority represents. When the one who has it speaks, those under him respond. In fact, those under authority do not speak for themselves. they speak as directed to speak.
Peter, in calling Jesus “Master” (Luke 5:5), used a word which literally carries with it the idea of “one in authority” (epistates). The word was used by no other New Testament writer and it is defined as: “an appointee over, i.e. commander (teacher) master." Peter launched into the deep not because Jesus understood fishing better than he did, but because the one in authority commanded it to be done. Hence, “Master, at thy word, I will do it.”
The problem with some is not that they do not understand authority, they simply reject it. To them the idea of being submissive to another is abhorrent.
From youth we should be taught the principle of submission. When I tell my child to take out the garbage it should not be tolerated if he were to respond, “Why?” Rather than give him some explanation as to the sanitation or esthetics of it he should be told, “Because I said so.” 1 have authority over the son (Eph. 6:4).
Who Has It?
Nobody has authority in the church except as it might be delegated to ‘him by Jesus. See, Tit. 2:15. We do none of these things by ourselves, we do them only because authority to do them was delegated by Christ. Elders, for instance, do not "rule" in matters of judgment, but “rule” (have authority) only in rnatters of faith.
This principle helps us to understand why elders do not rule in matters of judgment, but in matters of faith. The one who has authority is Jesus and elders act as his agents in enforcing what He has authorized. If this is not so, then I Pet. 5:3 has no meaning whatever.
How Was It Transmitted to Us?
For this reason we would do well to remember what Paul said in the Galatian letter. “What saith the scriptures?” (4:30). When someone makes a comment along the lines of “well, it isn’t in there in so many words,” is actually saying, “it isn’t in there” The only way God conveys His will to us is in the words used to inspire the sacred text (1 Cor. 2:10-14).
The scriptures are the revelation of God. More specifically, the New Testament text is the revelation of Jesus Christ. In former times the Spirit revealed the mind of God (the Father) to the writers (2 Pet. 1:21) but now has taken the things of Jesus Christ and delivered them to us (John 16:13,14).
The booming voice of God becomes clearer when we consider the above truth. “This is my beloved Son, hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5). This is no way denigrates the inspiration of the Old Testament, but when it comes to matters of faith today we must seek out the revelation of Jesus Christ as delivered by the Holy Spirit.
What is Authorized?
If it is not written (in the New Testament) then it is not a practice authorized by God. We do not look to the nebulous such as “principle eternal” but “what does the scripture say?” That is why we often request book, chapter and verse for any practice deemed valued to the child of God.
In this, of course, we would do well to use Biblical terminology when we engage others in discussions. For instance, we do not ask, “What kind of music does the Bible authorize?” Rather, we should ask, “What kind of singing is authorized?” The Bible doesn’t speak of kinds of music but what kind of singing.
Also, we need to learn a little about hermeneutics. The Bible authorizes in two independent ways. The first is direct statement (which includes commands) and the other is by approved apostolic example. Brethren are wont to add, “and by necessary inference.” Not so. One cannot necessarily infer anything apart from a statement or example. We also need to recognize that there is no authority in the silence of the scriptures. The Word said nothing about members of the tribe of Judah being priests, hence Jesus of that tribe could not serve under the Mosaical dispensation (Heb. 7:14). As the pioneers once said, “where the scriptures are silent, we are silent.”
Conclusion
First, note that we are to prove what is good (Rom. 12:2). We are under no obligation to prove anything is wrong, but we are obligated to prove that everything we practice, in word or deed, is in the name of (by the authority of) the Lord (Col. 3:17). The word illuminates and those who truly love the Lord come to the light (John 3:19). The foolishness often expressed about whether or not examples are binding is a smokescreen to cover a lack of submissiveness to Christ. They (examples) show us what God approved; for that reason they are sufficient to show us what God accepts. Whether or not he accepts anything else is of no consequence to the submissive saint. He wants to know what God approves and goes to the light (commands, examples) to find what God has given his approval to. The right-thinking saint would not act in an area of darkness when God has shown us what he accepts by shining the light on it.
--Floyd Chappelear via Stand, July 15, 2000
In Matthew 16:28, Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." Earlier in the conversation He had promised to build His church and has assured His followers that even His death would not prevent His accomplishing this. And He promised to give to Simon Peter the keys to the kingdom He was about to establish, that is, power to open that kingdom to admit those who would be its citizens.
There is a common misconception in modern religious circles that says Jesus' kingdom has still not been established. That concept is clearly in error.
Around 26-27 A.D., John the Baptist burst upon the scene, reviving the prophetic ministry that had been dormant for almost four hundred years. His basic message was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2). About six months later, Jesus came preaching the same basic message, Matthew 4:17. Jesus appointed twelve apostles and sent them out to preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, Matthew 10:7. Soon afterward, He sent out an additional seventy disciples with the same message, Luke 10:11. Certainly, the time for the establishment of Christ's heavenly kingdom was close at hand.
As we look at Matthew 16:28 and parallel passages, Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27, we see that the kingdom must surely be established during the lifetime of men who walked and talked with Jesus during His earthly ministry. Mark's account helps pin-point the beginning of that kingdom, as he notes that Jesus said the kingdom would come with power.
Somewhat later, after His resurrection from the dead, His disciples, still not realizing the spiritual nature of His kingdom, asked Him if He was about to restore the kingdom to Israel. They envisioned a political reign that would free them from Roman domination. It was only after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost to guide them into all truth that they realized that Christ's reign was fully spiritual, not political. He answered their question by indicating that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and then they would be His witnesses to the world at large. Note Mark 9:1, the kingdom was to come with power. Acts 1:6-8, the power would come when the Holy Spirit came. All these promises were fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2. At that time, Jesus was anointed as both Lord and Christ. He had been raised to sit on His throne, Acts 2:29-36. Thus the rule of Christ was announced and 3,000 willing subjects filed into the newly established kingdom that day.
--CRJ