I. There are two kinds of scriptural authority.

• A. Generic- When a general method of doing something is authorized. We have a choice in the details. General management.
  
• B. Specific- When an exact way of doing something is authorized. We have no choice in the details. Micromanagement at its highest level.
  
  Examples:
  • 1. Arc-
    Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
    Generic: Make an arc
    Specific: Golfer Wood
    
  • 2. Ordinance-
    Numbers 19:2 This [is] the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein [is] no blemish, [and] upon which never came yoke:
    Generic: Animal
    Specific: Red Heifer without spot
    
  • 3. Praising God-
    Ephesians 5- 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
    Col ossians 3: 16 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.
    Generic: Music.
    Specific: Sing
    
  • 4. Evangelize-
    1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians [which is] in God the Father and [in] the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ
    Generic: church
    Specific: Local Congregation
    Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons
    Generic: saints
    Specific: Local Congregation
  • 5. Edify-
    Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
    Generic: body
    Specific: Local Congregation
    
  • 6. Relieve the needy-
    1 Timothy 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
    Generic: church
    Specific: Local Congregation

II. Methods to Establish Scriptural Authority

• A. Four ways to establish Gods will, or to find authority, from the scriptures.
  (Example here is of the Lords Supper)
  
  
  • 1. Express Command.
    1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
    
  • 2. Approved Example.
    Acts 20: 7 And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
    
  • 3. Necessary Inference.
    Acts 20: 7 And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
    Expediency introduced that this could be done any hour of that day.
  • 4. Silence of the scriptures.
    I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall addto him the plagues which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18
    Since we are only able to find one example then we can't add once per month or once per year
    

III. Fulfilling the Commandment

• A. Essentials and Expediencies
  
  • 1. Essentials- that which is specifically required.
    
  • 2. Expediencies- that which is optional.
    Examples
    
    • a. Teach-
      Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
      Essentials: go
      Expediencies: Walk or car
    • b. Baptize-
      Acts 8:36 See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
      Essentials: Immersion in water
      Expediencies: Natural or artificial pool
      
    • c. Lords Supper-
      1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread:
      24 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
      25 After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.
      26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
      27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord,unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
      Essentials:unleavened bread, fruit of the vine.
      Expediencies:Containers
      
    • d. Assemble-
      Acts 20: 7 And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
      Essentials:1st day of week
      Expediencies: Hour & place
    • e. Relieve the needy-
      1 Timothy 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
      Essentials:Local Congregation
      Expediencies:Method and means
      
      
• B. Aids and additions
  
  
  • 1. Aids-that which helps fulfill the commandment & is implied within.
  • 2. Additions- That which goes beyond and adds to Gods word.
    Examples:
    
    • a. Sing.
      Aids- Book, leader
      Addition- Instrumental music.
      
    • b. Baptize.
      Aid- Baptistery
      Addition-Sprinkling
      
    • c. Assemble to Break bread
      Aid- building, lights,pews
      Addition-Saturday
      
    • d. Preach Gospel.
      Aids-Radio, TV, Literature, Internet
      Additions- Missionary society, Institutions
      
    • e. Relieve the destitute.
      Aids- Check, cash, etc.
      Additions-Benevolent society or other organizations
      
    • f. Edify the Church.
      Aids- Facilities, teachers.
      Additions-a Sunday School Society
      
      

John 4-24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.