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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
God's Authority Principle
I realize that title may look a bit boring, but bear with me for a moment. The “authority principle” is so ingrained in our American culture that we don’t even think, talk or write about it much any more. We don’t need to do so because all of us use it so much it has become second nature.
I’m not sure I have ever seen this principle written out in lawyer language, but we can all understand it without someone helping us. This is also a Bible principle.
Now let me explain why we would include such a principle as a topic for church bulletin material. Not too long ago I was asked this question:
“Why doesn’t the church of Christ believe in music?” That’s why we include an article in our church bulletin about the “authority principle.” Read on.
In my response to the question, I made it clear that the Lord’s church definitely does believe in music, but then showed that there are various kinds of music: vocal music —including singing—and music that comes from a mechanical or electronic instrument.
I explained that the Bible is God’s way to reveal His will to mankind, giving such passages as 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 and John 17:17 as my “authority.”
God did not say, “make music,” but made it clear that “singing and making melody in your heart” is authorized in worship to Him, Ephesians 5:19. He specified the kind of music, and specified the instrument: the human heart.
Accordingly, let’s talk for a moment about this “principle of authority.” Think with me for a moment. Let us imagine that your automobile is in need of some repair, and you take it to the mechanic for that repair. Having heard and written down the details of your problem, the service agent gives you a form to sign, stating, “This form authorizes us to perform the designated repairs on your vehicle.” You sign the form, giving your authorization for the repair work.
Think with me again. Your daughter wants to go on a school field trip. She brings home a form in which you authorize the school to take her on the trip, and to provide reasonable protective care for her. You sign the form, giving the school the required authorization.
Once more, now. In a mail-order catalogue you see an item that you need. You fill out the form that authorizes the company to fill your order, send it to you and then charge the proper amount to your credit card. They send you just what you order—no more and no less. Why? Because that company or organization recognizes the “principle of authority.” Now that wasn’t hard, was it? We often exercise the principle of authorization in our lives. It is a familiar part of life in almost any society.
When man offers worship to God, he should realize that God has given us instructions on how we are to do so. In doing this, Jesus Himself has “authorized” the means and the method for our worship, revealing the kind of worship God requires:
“The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” John 4:23-24.
When the Lord says “must,” we need to “listen up and listen good.” When God authorizes a form of worship, gives us the specifics —the how, what, why, when, etc.—we are then enabled to offer that worship to Him “in spirit and in truth,” that is, sincerely, with the right attitude, and in harmony with God’s “truth.”
But, just as the mechanic would not replace an engine in your car without your authority, we must not go beyond what God has authorized in worship, 2 John 9-11.
Just as the school would not take your daughter on a world tour without your authorization, we must not go beyond God’s authority in our worship. Just as the mail-order catalogue people would not send you a new set of tires and two dozen pairs of shoes without authorization, we cannot afford to reject the authority of God by substituting our own preferences (See 1 Corinthians 4:6).
That, my friends, is the “authority principle,” and if we claim to follow God’s will, we must respect and follow it.
“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him,” Colossians 3:17.
This book of Colossians had already stated Christ is “the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have preeminence,” Colossians 1:18. The church belongs to Christ, not me; not you. As Head of the church, Christ authorizes the form of leadership, worship, organization, the terms of entrance, etc. He says worship must be “in spirit and in truth.” What we may think is “beautiful” or uplifting cannot modify what Christ has authorized. All would do well to respect God’s authority.
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“It came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
“All authority is given to me in heaven and in earth,”
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The One Ark and the One Church
In 1 Peter 3:20-21, the apostle Peter writes, "…which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Peter again records in 2 Peter 2:5, "…and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly." In both of these passages, Peter instructs us that Noah was a preacher of righteousness, who labored and built "the ark" to save the world from the universal flood, of which only eight people were saved. What are some lessons that we can glean from the days of Noah relative to the one ark and the one church?
1. Noah built one ark (Genesis 6:14; 7:1). It is very significant to remember that Noah did not build "arks" to help in saving people from the flood! He built only ONE! Jesus Christ built one church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4). Jesus did not establish "churches" to redeem sinful man! Denominationalism is condemned by the Bible (1 Corinthians 1:10). There was only one ark and there is only one church!
2. There was only one way into the ark (Genesis 6:16). The door was made for an entrance into the place of safety. There is only one way to enter into the church (John 3:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27). One cannot enter into the place of safety today without first finding the door of the Savior and obeying His commands. Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9).
3. There was only one source of light in the ark -- a window (Genesis 6:16). Without the window, there would have been no light. All would be dark. There is only one source of light for the church -- the gospel of light (1 Corinthians 2:1-10). Without the gospel, all would be dark and hopeless (Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12).
4. There was only one family presented in the ark (1 Peter 3:20). Noah's family was the only family that obeyed the conditions that gave them safety from the universal flood! Thus, there was only one family in the ark. There is only one family in the church. It is called the "house of God" (1 Timothy 3:14-15). Those who have obeyed the conditions (commands) are members of the one family, the church of the Lord!
5. Every need was supplied in the ark (Genesis 7:23-24). The greatest need of all was life itself. Noah and his family were able to flee the flood and to put their feet upon the earth after a period of time (Genesis 8:6-22). Every spiritual need for man is located in the church (Ephesians 1:3). Paul states, "When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:4). Peter reminds us that God has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
6. There was only one danger relative to the ark. Those that missed the ark died in the flood. They died because of their rebellion toward God. It was their sins that kept them from being saved from the curse of the flood (Isaiah 59:1-2). There is a great and grievous danger facing the present world today. It is the Judgment Day in the which those who are not in the ark of safety, the church, will receive the sentence, "Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). Why receive such a punishment! Obey Christ and enter the church -- the ark of safety!
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