By What Authority?

Matthew 21:23

Introduction.

1. Some weeks ago, we had a sermon on our basis for unity.

   1. In that sermon we recognized that the Scriptures were our ultimate basis.

   2. The problem is so many others agree with that, yet disagree on interpretation.

   3. What we really need to agree on is our method of interpretation, our hermeneutic.

   4. This includes considerations of context such as genre, author, audience, and figures of speech.

   5. This includes looking at all of what Scripture has to say on a particular issue.

   6. We won’t agree on every little thing, but we will agree on matters of faith and obligation.

2. The aspect of hermeneutics that we are going to look at today is authority.

   1. A phrase that is rather unique among the modern churches of Christ is: “Where do you find authority for that?”

   2. Why? Because few people out there care about authority.

   3. They consider silence to be permissive, where it should be viewed as prohibitive.

   4. We understand that principle in the examples we often use such as the materials used to build Noah’s ark, the elements used in the Lord’s Supper, and the strange fire offered in Lev. 10.

   5. No other kind of wood is mentioned, no other elements are mentioned, no other fire is commanded—and it is clear that they are forbidden.

   6. Silence prohibits; it does not permit.

3. There are other ways in which Scripture authorizes.

   1. The typical way we express that is CENI, but it is more complicated than that.

   2. In this lesson, we will look at what they are along with examples.

   3. This will ultimately show you how the Bible authorizes so you can be more proficient at interpreting God’s Word.

4. Statements that authorize:

   1. Imperative.

   2. Declarative.

   3. Interrogative.

   4. Hortatory.

   5. Conditional.

Body.

1. Imperative.

   1. Definition.

      1. An imperative statement is a command.

      2. We are familiar with this very well, since we are often commanded to do things by those in authority over us.

      3. No doubt you have issued commands to your children like: “stop jumping on the bed,” or “clean your room.”

      4. Are there commands in the Bible that we should follow? How about some that we should not follow? Yes, to both.

      5. In fact, this is the way that most people already believe the Bible commands—some say the only way.

      6. But, if we consider that the Bible is somebody else’s mail, and not written to us directly—we are not the primary audience—then what commands could we possibly apply to ourselves?

      7. Let us consider some positive and negative examples.

   2. Examples.

      1. Mark 16:15.

      2. Acts 2:38.

   3. Counter-examples.

      1. Genesis 2:16-17.

      2. Genesis 6:14.

      3. Genesis 22:1-2.

      4. Leviticus 20:22.

      5. 1 Corinthians 14:1.

      6. 1 Corinthians 14:39-40.

2. Declarative.

   1. Definition.

      1. This is the most common type of statement.

      2. Some examples: “It is raining,” “You look good today,” or “I am hungry.”

      3. In that last one, one might suggest that it implies, “Feed me,” or “Let’s find food,” but that’s not strictly the case.

      4. Can they be binding? Why yes!

   2. Examples.

      1. Mark 16:16.

      2. John 20:30-31.

      3. James 2:24, 26.

      4. Galatians 3:26-27.

   3. Counter-example: 1 Corinthians 14:31.

3. Interrogative.

   1. Definition.

      1. This is a question, and can be rhetorical or not.

      2. Some questions are asked to gain information, while others give information.

      3. Many questions are rhetorical have implied answers, particularly in Scripture.

   2. Examples.

      1. 1 Corinthians 12:29-30.

      2. 1 Corinthians 1:13.

      3. Acts 10:47.

      4. Romans 10:13-14.

      5. Romans 6:3.

   3. Counter-examples.

      1. Acts 16:29-30.

      2. Acts 2:37.

      3. Acts 9:5.

4. Hortatory.

   1. Definition.

      1. This is a statement that expresses a strong wish or desire.

      2. We might express that in certain ways: “I hope not!” or “If only that were true.”

      3. These statements express certain wishes of the speaker.

   2. Examples.

      1. Romans 5:20b; 6:1.

      2. Romans 6:15.

      3. Romans 7:13.

      4. Romans 15:5-6.

      5. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-12.

      6. 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

   3. Counter-examples.

      1. Genesis 17:18.

      2. 2 Timothy 4:16.

5. Conditional.

   1. Definition.

      1. A conditional statement is often what we would consider an if/then statement, though such words are not required for a conditional statement.

      2. There is a condition offered by the “if” and the consequence rendered by the “then.”

      3. You might tell your child, for instance: “If you stay out past curfew [condition], then you are grounded for a month [consequence].”

   2. Examples.

      1. Romans 7:2-3.

      2. 1 Corinthians 15:12-20a.

      3. Romans 8:12-13.

      4. Romans 8:17.

      5. John 3:3-5.

   3. Counter-examples: Matthew 4:3.

Conclusion.

1. There are many statements that Scripture makes that are applicable to us today.

   1. Understanding that the Bible authorizes through various types of statements is important for our own biblical interpretation.

   2. I pray that you are now better equipped to understand and interpret Scriptures on your own as you read them.

2. In these examples, we note the various commands on what we must do to be saved.

   1. While question itself is not binding, the Philippian jailer did ask the most important question of all: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

   2. We saw the declarative statement in Mark 16:16 that told us we must believe and be baptized.

   3. We saw the imperative statement in Acts 2:38 to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.

   4. The interrogative statement in Acts 10:47 informs us how we ought to be baptized, in water.

   5. And we see the hortatory statements in Romans 5:20b; 6:1 that tell us how we ought to live as Christians.