Topic(s):  Bible Authority

Todd Clippard

There are four means of determining Bible authority for how to carry out the Lord's will: 1) Direct statement or command; 2) Approved Example; 3) Necessary Inference or Implication; and 4) Expediency.

Twice in the first Corinthians epistle, Paul spoke of things that were lawful but not expedient. The Greek word means "to bring together, to help, be profitable" (Thayer's). The word appears seven times in the New Testament.

Expediency is the general authority to act when specific authority is absent. The general authority for doing what is expedient is implied in the Scriptures. For example, God commanded Noah to build an ark. Specifically, he told him what to build, the materials to use, the size, and what to put in it. However, how to gather the materials, the tools to use, and such like were not specified. Therefore, Noah used expediency in determining these factors.

Also, in the Great Commission, Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). However, there are no Divine instructions on how to do it. Would it have been acceptable for the disciples to just stay in Jerusalem since they had no specific instructions on how, when, and where to go? Where was the specific authority on how, when, or where to go?

In connection with the positive command to assemble in Hebrews 10:25 . . . How and where can the church assemble without specific authority? The first church met in the temple and in the homes of its members. But by what specific authority did they do this? The Corinthian church met neither in the temple nor in the houses of the members (1 Corinthians 11:22, 34). Could it be they met in a public place purchased or secured by the members? Where did they receive the specific authority for such an action?

Failing to recognize the authority for expediency would cripple the church and lead to its ultimate demise.