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Make An Ark of Gopher Wood. Generic and Specific Authority. Bible Authority. Religious authority comes from God because he is our Creator (Gen. 1:1) and God expresses his authority through his word (Heb. 1:1-2) Both the OT and the NT exemplify the need for God’s authority in our life
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Make An Ark of Gopher Wood Generic and Specific Authority
Bible Authority • Religious authority comes from God because he is our Creator (Gen. 1:1) and God expresses his authority through his word (Heb. 1:1-2) • Both the OT and the NT exemplify the need for God’s authority in our life • There is also a need to distinguish the different covenants in the Bible and handle accurately the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15)
Bible Authority • God authorizes a practice sometimes by speaking generically (allowing for aides, expediencies) and sometimes by speaking specifically or explicitly (not allowing any additions) • An “aid” or “expediency” (lit. to carry out) is something that helps to carry out a general statement • An “addition” is something in addition to what has been specifically or explicitly stated
Expediencies • Expediencies must have [generic] authority behind it (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23) • Expediencies must edify (1 Cor. 10:23-33; 14:26) • Expediencies must not offend the conscience (1 Cor. 10:32; Rom. 14:13-23) • Expediencies must not add to or substitute for God’s way specified way (2 Jn. 9; Rev. 22:18-19)
Generic and Specific Authority • Generic authority is unspecified as to details, allowing for any authorized aid or expediency to carry out the command (there is latitude, freedom, and judgment according to one’s time, place, and ability) • Specific authority is explicit, specified as to details, not allowing any additions; all other alternatives are excluded (there is no latitude, freedom, or judgment)
Generic and Specific Authority • Be as general as God is general (don’t add any specifics of your own) and be as specific as God is specific (don’t add any generalities of your own) - Mt. 16:19; 18:18 • Do not make specific what God has made generic (Acts 15:10,28; Gal. 5:1) • Do not make generic what God has made specific (1 Chron. 13:6-14; 15:13-15)