Concepts of Authority

1
Concepts of Authority

• The Generic and Specific Nature of Bible
  Authority
• Using New Testament worship in Song as a
  demonstration of the principle

2
Premise of Lesson

• Understanding the nature of Gods communication
  of His will to man will show us when He gives us
  liberty to exercise discretion, and when He does
  not.
• The labels we sometimes use to explain this
  principle are generic specific, and
  expediency.

3
Stipulations Before Proceeding

• Ultimately, all authority is derived from God,
  not man. (cf. Matthew
  2124-26)
• Silence is restrictive, not permissive (cf. 2
  Timothy 316-17)
• We are under the authority of the New Testament,
  not the Old.
• Expediency (Choice) must first be authorized.

4
Defining Terms

• Specific Authority Where God has specified
  exactly what He requires of us in order to
  satisfy His will
• Generic Authority Where God has not specified
  exactly what He requires of us. He gives us
  choices within the boundaries of His will.
• Expediency Authorized choice in fulfilling the
  Will of God

5
A Practical Demonstration of the PremiseGods
Will re Musical Worship
There are three basic types of music...

• Vocal Using the voice as an instrument
• Instrumental Using mechanical instruments to
  make music
• Combination of the Two

6
What Has God Specified Re Music?

• Vocal Music (Singing)
• Ephesians 518-21 Colossians 316
  1 Corinthians 1415 Acts 1625
• Instrumental music is not a part of the pattern
  of New Testament musical worship

7
Ephesians 518-21

• And be not drunk with wine, wherein
  is excess but be filled with
  the Spirit 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms
  and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
  melody in your heart to the Lord 20 Giving
  thanks always for all things unto God and the
  Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 21
  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear
  of God.

8
Colossians 316

• Let the word of Christ dwell in
  you richly in all wisdom teaching
  and admonishing one another in psalms and
  hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in
  your hearts to the Lord.

9
1 Corinthians 1415

• What is it then? I will pray with
  the spirit, and I will pray with the
  understanding also I will sing with the spirit,
  and I will sing with the understanding also.

10
Acts 1625

• And at midnight Paul and Silas
  prayed, and sang praises unto God
  and the prisoners heard them.

11
What Has God Specified Re Music?

• Vocal Music (Singing)
• Ephesians 518-21 Colossians 316
  1 Corinthians 1415 Acts 1625
• Instrumental music is not a part of the pattern
  of New Testament musical worship
• Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs
• Ephesians 518-21 Colossians 316
• Patriotic songs, secular songs, cultural songs,
  not a part of the pattern of New Testament
  musical worship

12
Ephesians 518-21

• And be not drunk with wine, wherein
  is excess but be filled with
  the Spirit 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms
  and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
  melody in your heart to the Lord 20 Giving
  thanks always for all things unto God and the
  Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 21
  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear
  of God.

13
Colossians 316

• Let the word of Christ dwell in
  you richly in all wisdom teaching
  and admonishing one another in psalms and
  hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in
  your hearts to the Lord.

14
Where Does God Allow Choice Re Music?

• Style of Music
• Unison VS Four Part Harmony
• Fast Tempo VS Slower (Must be reverent)
• Aids to Vocal Worship
• Tuning Fork to get the pitch
• Hymnals or Projectors
• Litmus Test When all is said and done, has the
  command to sing been faithfully obeyed?
  (Expedients must be authorized)

15
Aid (That Which is Expedient) VS Addition

• Aid or Expedient When aids such as a pitch
  pipe, hymnals, LCD projectors, etc., are used,
  when all is said in done, we have sung a
  spiritual song
• Addition When a mechanical instrument of music
  is used in accompanying the singing, when all is
  said and done, we have sung and played.

16
Conclusion

• There are many additions that men have made to
  Gods will. Going beyond what God has specified
  is presumptuous and sinful. (cf. Matthew 721-23)

17
Matthew 721-23

• Not every one that saith unto me,
  Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
  kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of
  my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to
  me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
  prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast
  out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
  works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I
  never knew you depart from me, ye that work
  iniquity.

18
Conclusion

• There are many additions that men have made to
  Gods will. Going beyond what God has specified
  is presumptuous and sinful. (cf. Matthew
  721-23)
• This is in great part the reason for the
  proliferation of Denominations.
• This is the reason for the two great divisions
  among Gods people in the last two centuries (In
  America).
• We must be respectful of Gods Will for us.