Review Of Authority
Series: Establishing Authority
By Allan E. McNabb

There are two sources of authority, heaven and men (Matt. 21:25).

As Christians, we obey the authority from heaven, and God saves us from our sins (Matt. 28:18-19; Col. 3:17; Acts 4:12).

Commands
God’s commands are revealed in His word (1 Cor. 2:10-16; 1 Cor. 14:37).

He has spoken to us through Jesus, who commissioned the apostles to reveal the mind of God to the world (Heb. 2:1-4; 11:1-2; Matt. 17:5; Mk. 16:15-16; 2 Cor. 5:20).

Therefore, we must obey Jesus to be saved (Heb. 5:9; 2 Jn. 1:9).

Specific and General Commands
In God’s word there are three types of commands: specific, general, and commands with both specific and general components.

When we have a specific command from God, we must obey Him by accomplishing the command as specified.  But when we have a general command, we must employ lawful expediencies to carry it out.

Expedients
An expedient is something that’s advantageous and profitable (Jn. 11:50; 16:7; 18:14; 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23; 2 Cor. 8:10; 12:1).

Expedients must be lawful, helpful (profitable, beneficial), edify, not our master (not have control over us), and good for our neighbor (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23-24).

But remember, expediencies are only employed to accomplish things authorized by God in a general sense (command or apostolic example).

Apostolic Examples
God gives us a pattern to follow in His word (2 Tim. 1:13).

We are commanded to follow the apostles’ examples, practicing the things learned, received, and heard from them (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 4:19).

Therefore, we’re commanded to stand fast and the hold apostolic traditions, withdrawing from brethren who do not hold to them (2 Th. 2:15; 3:6-7, 14).

So then, by holding to apostolic traditions, we imitate Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Jn. 1:3).

Apostolic examples not binding upon us are ones that were:
sinful (Acts 17:30; Gal. 2:11-14).
in keeping the Mosaic Law (Heb. 7:12; 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2).
performing miracles (1 Cor. 12:31-13:13; Acts 8:14-19; 19:5-6).
cultural (Rom. 14:1-15:6; 1 Cor. 9:19-23).
expedients (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23-24).

Inferences
An inference is a conclusion made by the deduction of facts.

Of course, we must be careful to rightly divide the word of God, and not make false conclusions by twisting the Scriptures to our own destruction (2 Pet. 3:16).

But the fact remains that we must make proper conclusions, based on God’s word, to understand God’s will for us and faithfully serve Him.

Inferences from the historical narrative help us understand the context, can identify the author of a book and reveal the date it was written.

Today, there are five very important inferences we must observe:
due diligence to carry out God's will in everything (2 Pet. 1:5, 10; Heb.11:6).
personal responsibility for carrying out God's will.
assemble every Sunday (Heb. 10:25; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2).
lay by in store as we’ve prospered every Sunday (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
observe the Lord's Supper every Sunday (Acts 20:7).

Silence of the Scriptures
God is silent when He’s not spoken.

God’s commands teach us to respect His silence, and only do the things He’s authorized (1 Pet. 4:11; Col. 3:17; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 1:9; Rev. 22:18-19).

In Hebrews 7:12-14, Paul uses this fact (that God’s silence is not authoritative) to show that the law had been changed so Jesus could be our high priest.

Just as Moses was punished for disobeying God by striking the rock at Kadesh, rather than speaking to it, we’ll be punished if we don’t respect God’s silence (Num. 20:70-12).

Conclusion
Everything we do must be authorized by God in His word.

If we respect God and do the things He has authorized, we’ll spend eternity with Him in heaven.  But if we don’t, we’ll be condemned to an eternity of suffering.