LectureshipIssue.com

No Authority: The Road to Destruction

by JT Smith

In Matthew 28:18 we read, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth'."

Authority

Exousia denotes "authority" (from the impersonal verb exesti, "it is lawful"). From the meaning of "leave or permission," or liberty of doing as one pleases, it passed to that of "the ability or strength with which one is endued," then to that of the "power of authority," the right to exercise power, e. g., Matt 9:6; 21:23; 2 Cor 10:8; or "the power of rule or government," the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others, e. g., Matt 28:18; …" (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). In Colossians 3:17 Paul said, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Name

Onoma… (II) for all that a "name" implies, of authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence, etc., of everything that the "name" covers:… (4) in recognition of the authority of (sometimes combined with the thought of relying or resting on), Matt 18:20; cf. 28:19; 8:16; 9:2 (eis, "into"); John 14:13; 15:16; Eph 5:20; Col 3:17;" (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (All underlining mine for emphasis-jts). In the New Testament Christ claims All Authority. This authority may be expressed literally or metonymically. (me·ton·y·my "A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of Washington for the United States government or of the sword for military power." (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language). Metonymically, then, the word "name" in Colossians 3:17 is used for the authority of Christ. Therefore, whatever we do (in "word" [statement or command] or deed [example]) we are to do all by the authority of Christ.

Establishing Authority (Hermeneutics)

There was a time when I would have subtitled this section as "Establishing Bible Authority." For many years I used that expression. I learned, however, that this left the impression with many that there were "special rules" for establishing Bible authority.

The word hermeneutics means, "The science and methodology of interpretation, especially of scriptural text" (ibid). Yet the rules for establishing Bible authority are the same rules for establishing any authority. They are: statement of fact, command, example, and necessary implication. What do you know about any subject that you have not learned by these four rules of communication? The answer is "nothing"! Many brethren have talked about a "New" Bible hermeneutics. How would you do that? Make up new rules of communication. These rules have been in existence since Genesis 2. "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'." (Genesis 2:16-17).

Acts 15 and Circumcision

God's word shows how writers directed by the Holy Spirit used all of the points of reference as a means of establishing authority on the question of circumcision.

Circumcision - Acts 15:7-17 "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; 9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Example)

Acts 15:7-17 "Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. (Necessary Implication) And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 'After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things'." (Statement -Command)

What benefit is there in knowing these rules if we are not going to apply them to our study of the Scriptures? God has so arranged His word that we may know what He would have us do in matters of evangelism, edification and benevolence.

Past History

Every major division among the Lord's people has come about as a result of proceeding without Bible authority. Whether you talk about division in the first century or the 21st century, the reason is the same.

Paul said to the elders at Ephesus, "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30). This was exactly what happened. There was a gathering together of elders (bishops) from various congregations. Soon one elder was appointed as the presiding elder over these meetings. They met to make regulations for the church. We all know where this finally led - The Pope of Rome. But it started out very innocently having elders meet from different congregations. But Paul and Peter both said, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28) "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind" (I Peter 5:2). Observe: Paul said they were to "take heed to the flock over which the Holy Spirit made them overseers (namely the one at Ephesus); and, as Peter said, to feed the flock which was among them. Any deviation from the Lord's instruction will/did bring disaster to His church.

These rules (by which we are governed in establishing authority) authorize only the local congregation to preach the gospel. Any other plan devised by man that is designed to solicit and receive contributions could potentially activate the universal church. If one Christian can make a contribution, every Christian can.

Synagogue and the School of Tyrannous

Some have suggested that authority for another organization disseminating the gospel is found in Acts 19:9. "But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus." How can this be comparable to organizations such as Guardian of Truth Organization of today that is seeking glory for God by preaching the word through their organization? This is like comparing apples and oranges. This is one preacher making arrangements for a place to present the gospel. There is no evidence from the Scriptures that the school of Tyrannus received contributions nor that Paul sought contributions for it. Whether Paul obtained the right to use this hall for love (Tyrannous' love of the truth) or money we are not told. God is not to receive glory through some human institution. God is to receive glory through the church by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:21). "Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." There is no authority for any other organization doing the work of the church. And where there is no authority, we are on the road to destruction.