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One Having Authority
One Having Authority
Last week, we showed that Jesus’ authority is communicated to us through commands (general and specific) and approved apostolic examples. Today, we study a third way to establish biblical authority: necessary inference also called necessary conclusion.
Necessary Inference
Communication often requires logical inferences. For example, if premise one is A=B and premise two is B=C, then it follows that A=C. In the Bible, we can draw similar necessary conclusions.
In Acts 10, we read about the conversion of a gentile by Peter the apostle. Peter had seen a vision and was instructed to go preach to Cornelius who feared God with all his household. Peter was skeptical, but he complied with God’s instructions. Peter preached a lengthy sermon (10:34-43) and Cornelius received the Holy Spirit directly (10:44). Finally, Peter ordered him to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (10:48). From this chapter we must necessarily infer or conclude that Peter preached or taught something about baptism since baptism is for remission of sins. We must also conclude that Peter addressed sins that Cornelius and his household were guilty of since all men are guilty of sin (Rom. 3:23).
Silence of Scripture
The question about what one should do when the scriptures are silent on a particular subject was debated from as early as the second century. Tertullian (150-222 A.D.) wrote “the thing which is not forbidden is freely permitted.” Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli of the Reformation era several centuries later also offered differing opinions. Early on Luther said, “whatever is without the word of God is, by the very fact, against God,” using Deut. 4:2 as his source of proof. Later, Luther would say, “What is not against scripture is for scripture, and scripture for it,” reversing his stance. Zwingli said practices “not enjoined or taught in the New Testament should be unconditionally rejected.” Thus, Luther changed his position saying that we could add to the scriptures while Zwingli opined that we cannot. The scriptures support Zwingli’s position (Duet. 4:2, Prov. 30:6). Jesus says, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19).
Furthermore in Heb. 7:14, we see that Moses “said nothing” concerning priests coming from the tribe of Judah, and that silence was sufficient to conclude that God would NOT allow the appointment of priests from the tribe of Judah.
Remember, Jesus said, “the word I spoke will judge him at the last day” (John 12:48). Furthermore, “all scripture is inspired of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Conclusion
Jesus taught as one having authority. He said that all authority was given to him in heaven and on earth. He is Lord. His apostles were inspired, and they would lay hands on certain individuals to allow gifts of the Spirit including prophesy (Acts 8:17, 19:6, 1 Cor. 12:7-11). From these accounts we have the inspired word of God. And we are told by the apostle Paul to conduct ourselves so that “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17). We must look to the scriptures for authority for everything we do religiously in worship and personal conduct. Commands, approved apostolic examples, necessary inferences along with respect for the silence of the scriptures is key to how we establish Bible authority. Learn it and pass it on.
--Doug Tellinghuisen
