BY WHAT AUTHORITY? "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" These were two questions put to Jesus by the religious leaders of His day (Matthew 21:23). Although they were unwilling to accept His sovereignty, they did recognize that the question of authority in religion was of utmost importance. Very few people would argue for anarchy (in religion or otherwise). Intelligent people realize that standards of some description are necessary for a peaceful existence among beings who possess free moral agency. Strangely, however, Bible-believers are embarrassingly divided over what is and is not authorized in religion. Skeptics gleefully draw attention to such disharmony and impugn the Bible as being at fault. But those who accept the divine authorship (inspiration) of Scripture realize that the fault has its origin in humanity's rebellion. It stands to reason that the God Who created this intricately precise Universe has the capacity to reveal His will in a way that all men could understand it alike. Indeed, He has---in the Bible. Man must approach that holy book with the desire to learn what God has for Him, rather than to confirm man-made creeds (cf. John 5:39). The Bible speaks of the possibility that a man may "twist" the Scriptures to his "destruction" (II Peter 3:16), and exhorts men to "handle aright the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15). Logically, if all men approach the Bible in the same way, they may attain the same basic understanding of it. There are several principles which will help one come to an understanding of God's Word and thereby aid in ascertaining religious authority. (1)It is important that man approach the Bible with good common sense. The Bible is a book about real people, for real people. One should expect to understand it. (2)Man should approach the Bible with confidence in its verbal, plenary inspiration. The Bible came from God (II Peter 1:20,21). Its very words are inspired (I Corinthians 2:13), and it is completely inspired (II Timothy 3:16). [Belief in the inspiration of God's Word is based firmly upon sound evidence. One needs to approach the Scriptures for guidance after he has been persuaded of their inspiration.] (3)In order to understand the Bible properly, a man must employ his God-given abilities to think and reason. He should not expect to understand the Scriptures without exerting mental industry. (4)The Scriptures must be approached honestly, and with a pure heart, so as to avoid doctrinal perversions. (5)In order to understand God's Word one must study from a dependable translation of the Bible. Although good translations are available, many books which bear the name "Holy Bible" are so polluted with human doctrines that they do not accurately convey the meaning of God's Word. (6)A general, thorough, and correctly used education will be a valuable asset in understanding God's Word. This is not to say that only scholars understand the Bible, but that a well-rounded knowledge of language, history, and geography will aid one in comprehending the divine message. (7)In order to determine biblical authority for a given practice or belief, one must understand the distinction between the Bible's major covenant divisions. Just because a practice was authorized under the Mosaic covenant does not mean that it is acceptable today. While other similar principles may be enumerated, it is sure that if all men would follow even these few guidelines there would be far less confusion over what the Bible teaches. How can one apply biblical authority to a particular practice or doctrine? There are basically three ways by which God authorizes things through His Word. First, Jehovah authorizes through commands and statements. For example, because Peter commanded his audience to "repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) we know that God requires repentance and baptism of those who desire salvation from sin. Often, the means of carrying out a command is left up to man. Such is the case relative to preaching the gospel. That we are to preach is explicitly required (Matthew 28:19,20); what we are to preach is explicitly stated (i.e., the Gospel---Galatians 1:6-9); but how we are to go is left up to us. We may use all legal and appropriate means. Much of New Testament Christianity is conveyed through commands and statements. Second, God authorizes through implications of Scripture. For example, we know that the great commission ("Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned"---Mark 16:15,16) applies to us by implication (after all, we are creatures in need of salvation---Romans 3:23). Third, if we find an approved example for an action, then we can be sure that it is authorized. A prime illustration of this relates to the Communion. Luke reported: "upon the first day of the week...the disciples gathered together to break bread..." (Acts 20:7). When is the Lord's Supper to be observed (I Corinthians 11:23-29)? By approved example we know we must partake of it the first day of every week. If a practice or doctrine is not taught by command or statement, or by implication, and if there is no approved example of it in God's Word, then we are bound by the Scripture's silence to view it as unauthorized. Hence the plea: "Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent" (cf. I Peter 4:11). Some have disregarded this prohibitive power of silence, and suggested that where the Bible is silent there is liberty. This position is neither logical nor biblical. How many doubt the prohibitive power of silence in everyday life? If a man asks his druggist for ibuprofin, must he also enumerate all the things he does not want (e.g., cyanide)? Obviously, what he specifies excludes all else. Just so, when God specifies, He thereby rules out everything else. This is the lesson of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3). Jehovah specified the type of fire the priests were to use; they tried to use "strange fire." For this rebellion, God consumed them with fire. If a man wishes to please his Creator he must respect His Word. If all men would approach the Bible in the same honest, humble fashion, we could have the unity for which Jesus prayed (John 17), and would squelch the skeptic's criticism of religious confusion. 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