A Study of Authority

1. A Study ofAuthority “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48).

2. A Study ofAuthority Lesson 8 Expediency (Presentations are basically an adaptation of material found in Billy W. Moore’s classbook, A Study of Authority)

3. A Quick Summary of Past Lessons • We have established what authority is, and the need for it in religion • The Old Testament, the preacher, creeds of men, desires of a congregation, elders, or “end justifies the means” are not the source of authority • Christ is the source of authority as king, and head over the church • The will of Christ is set forth in the New Testament • Authority is established through command, example and necessary inference • Authority may have both generic and specific aspects to it

4. A Common Justification for Practices • Men have sought to justify a multitude of things by saying, “they can be practiced as expediencies.” • The common concept – The end justifies the means, so anything that will accomplish what we think to be good, whether authorized or not, is permissible • Not So! (cf. Matthew 7:21-23)

5. Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

6. A Common Justification for Practices • Men have sought to justify a multitude of things by saying, “they can be practiced as expediencies.” • The common concept – The end justifies the means, so anything that will accomplish what we think to be good, whether authorized or not, is permissible • Not So! (cf. Matthew 7:21-23) • In order for a thing to be a scriptural expedient it must facilitate in the accomplishment of God’s will and must be in harmony with His word!

7. For a Thing to Be Expedient… • It must be lawful • All scriptural expedients are lawful (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23)

8. 1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (KJV) (10:23), “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (KJV)

9. For a Thing to Be Expedient… • It must be lawful • All scriptural expedients are lawful (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23) • We have no assurance that a thing is pleasing to God unless it is authorized • Unlawful things can not be expedients even if WE THINK they facilitate the accomplishment of the Lord’s will • Bombing abortion clinics • Women Preachers (cf. 1 Tim. 2:12) • The ox cart (1 Chron. 13:7-10; 15:2)

10. 1 Chronicles 13:7-10 “So they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. ... 9 And when they came to Chidon's threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.”

11. 1 Chronicles 15:2 “Then David said, ‘No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.’”

12. For a Thing to Be Expedient… • It cannot be specified • When God specified, there is no choice for man but to obey or disobey • Ex: “gopher wood”, “firstborn male lamb”, “singing” (cf. Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) • Expediency in human wisdom involves the right of choice within the realm of those things included in what God authorized (General authority) • “Which log of gopher wood”, “which male lamb”, “which songs will be sung”

13. Note: Going Beyond the Expedient • Singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) • Instrument not aid, but addition • Baptism (cf. Romans 6:4) • Sprinkling and pouring not expedients, but rather changes. Burial specified) • Local Elders (cf. Acts 14:23:20:28) • Elders overseeing work or monies of another congregation, not expedient, but a change in what is specified. • Church Evangelical Inst. (1 Tim. 3:15) • Missionary Society a human org., an addition, not an aid to the church

14. For a Thing to Be Expedient… • It Must Edify (1 Cor. 10:23-33) • All things are to be done unto edification (cf. 1 Cor. 14:26)

15. 1 Corinthians 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”

16. For a Thing to Be Expedient… • It Must Edify (1 Cor. 10:23-33) • All things are to be done unto edification (cf. 1 Cor. 14:26) • If the practice causes division in the Lord’s body, it is wrong! • (In Search of the Ancient Order, Earl Irvin West, Vol. 2, pages 86-89. Inst. of music as expediency does not change problem, as it caused division!) • Contrast – Commandment must be done even if it causes division (cf. Acts 4:18-20)

17. Acts 4:18-20 “18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’”

18. For a Thing to Be Expedient… • It Must Not Offend the Conscience of a Brother (1 Cor. 10:32; Rom. 14:13-23)

19. 1 Corinthians 10:32-33 “Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”

20. For a Thing to Be Expedient… • It Must Not Offend the Conscience of a Brother (1 Cor. 10:32; Rom. 14:13-23) • This rule governs only in the matter of expediency • In matters specified, we have no choice but to obey or disobey • We must not force “our way” on our brother, causing him to violate his conscience in partaking of that which he believes to be wrong. • Ex: Eating of Meats (cf. 1 Cor. 8)

21. Conclusion • An expedient must first be lawful. • Every addition or substitution is unlawful. It is relying upon human wisdom rather than God’s word. • Expediency can not be claimed if the practice changes or adds to God’s word. • Remember: Expediency involves the right of choice within the realm of that which is authorized in the New Testament

22. ? Questions Lesson 8 Expediency

23. Question 1 • Why must something be lawful before it can be expedient? Otherwise, we are doing things by our own authority. Such is not acceptable to God. We have no assurance something is pleasing to God unless it is authorized. “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:9)

24. Question 2 • What is it about specific authority that rules out the use of other “expediencies? If God has specified, we have no choice in the matter other than to either obey or disobey. To do something other than what God has said to do is sin! “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

25. Question 3 • Is the use of an instrument of music in worship an expedient way to carry out God’s command to sing? Defend your answer. No. When an instrument is played, no singing has been done. It is a different kind of music. It is an addition rather than an aid. It is not within the “realm” of what is authorized, namely singing.

26. Question 4 • What principle makes it necessary for an expedient to edify (build up others)? The principle of love. Selfless care for others demands that your actions not be for self, but for their benefit. If actions result in strife rather than edification, they can not be expedient! “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:4)

27. Question 5 • What does it mean to “offend” your brother? How could an expedient do that? (Note: consider the example of eating meats in 1 Cor. 8) Offense means causing your brother to sin. If by your unthinking example he is emboldened to do what he believes to be wrong, your liberty has led to his destruction. Such violates the law of love toward your brother. “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” (vs. 13)