Speaking the Truth in Love
Commands, Aids, Additions
Intro. A. Many do not understand how things can be authorized although they may not be specifically mentioned in the Bible. They do not comprehend the difference between aids and additions. 1. Outsiders often ask, "How can you do things not mentioned in the Bible, and at the same time speak against us for doing things not mentioned in the Bible? a. They say, "You people seem to arbitrarily select the things you want, and reject the things you don't want." b. They do not understand how we make a test of fellowship on some things but not on others. 2. In addition to this, many members of the church are confused and disturbed over this subject. a. There has been much contention and division between brethren through the years because they did not understand the difference between aids and additions. B. We hope to shed some light on this topic in this lesson. 1. All the things listed under AIDS are authorized because they are necessary in carrying out the command. a. In other words, we must use some type of aid or expediency in carrying out the command; otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible to obey it. 2. Also, we want to show that all things listed under ADDITIONS are not authorized because they do not come within the scope of the things commanded. a. In other words, they are not necessary in carrying out the commands, but are things other than that commanded. C. Before we look at the chart let's consider some basics on establishing Bible authority. I. SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY IS ESTABLISHED IN THREE WAYS. A. By precept--by a direct command or express statement. 1. For example, we are commanded to withdraw from the disorderly (2 Thess. 3:6). B. By example--by a practice in the New Testament that was done under the guidance and approval of the apostles and prophets. 1. The Bible teaches by example. (Phil. 4:9). 2. When we find people in the apostolic days practicing things with God's approval, we can be positive that under similar circumstances, we can do the same with God's approval. 3. We know that the early Christians had to be taught before they could practice what God wanted. a. In some cases, however, the command to them may not be given in the N.T. record. The examples of what they did may be the only thing that is recorded, and by these we are to learn what God wants of us. b. A good example of this is Acts 20:7. No where do we have a command to partake of the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week; we do it because of the example. 4. By applying Bible knowledge we see that some examples are not binding. a. For example, the "meeting in the upper room" in Acts 20:8 is not binding because they met in other places-- in a synagogue (James 2:2), in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9), in the temple (Acts 2:46), in homes (Rom. 16:5). b. Also, Jesus showed that the place would not matter (John 4:21-22). C. By necessary inference or necessary implication--by this we mean that which, although not precisely stated, is necessarily inferred or implied by what is written. 1. In other words, it is the necessary conclusion from that which is written. a. All the things listed under AIDS are necessarily inferred. At least one of the aids under each listing is necessary; otherwise, the command could not be obeyed. b. For example, the church is to "assemble." The command necessarily implies a place; therefore, a place is authorized. Without a place, the church could not assemble. II. THE GENERIC AND SPECIFIC NATURE OF COMMANDS. A. It is important that we recognize the general and specific nature of authority. 1. General authority is inclusive. It includes any aid or method of execution that falls within the scope of the command. a. In other words, the things necessary in carrying out the command are authorized. It is left up to our own judgment as to which is the most expedient. b. For example, God told Noah to "Make thee an ark" (Gen 6:14). This part of the command is generic. It was left up to him to choose the tools, means of transporting wood, etc. in building the ark. c. Another example of this is when the Lord told the apostles to "go into all the world." They were left to choose "how" to go--either by horseback, ship, walking, etc. (1) This was much misused during the missionary society days when they said, "The Lord said 'go' but didn't say 'how' to go and thus the society is authorized." (2) The Lord didn't say "how" to go, but he said "who" was to go. As to the organization, the church is the "who" that God authorized. 2. The Bible also teaches by specific authority. Specific authority is exclusive, excluding every aid or method in the scope of that which is specified. a. For example, God commanded Noah, "Make thee an ark of gopher wood." This part of the command is specific. (1) Since God specified the kind of wood, it excluded the use of other kinds of wood. III. CHART ON COMMANDS, AIDS, AND ADDITIONS. A. Carefully consider each listing on the chart. (See chart below) Concl. A. Some things are authorized although they are not commanded. They are authorized when they are simply aids in carrying out the command. They are necessary: otherwise, the commands cannot be obeyed. B. Some things are not authorized because they are additions. They are not necessary in carrying out the commands, but are things added to the commands. 1. These fall within the realm of "going onward" and "abiding not" in the doctrine of Christ (II John 9), and "going beyond" the things written (1 Cor. 4:6). C. Let us pray for the ability to discern between aids and additions that we might be pleasing in God's sight, and united as brethren in Christ. D. If you are not a Christian, you must be baptized in water in order to receive remission of sins (Acts 2:38). We have a baptistery in the building as an aid in helping you to carry out this command.
COMMANDS | AIDS | ADDITIONS |
Sing
Heb. 2:12; 1 Cor. 14:14-16 |
Write them, memorize, have song books | Instrumental music, clap hands, have a choir, solo singing |
Church to teach
1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Thess. 1:8 |
Radio program, TV shows, bulletin, personal work program | Broadcasting business, own printing company |
Church to support preachers
Phil. 4:14-16; 2 Cor. 11:8-9 |
Provide money, food, a house, transportation | Church supported missionary society, send to another church |
Baptize in water | Go to a pond, lake, river; build a baptistery | Sprinkling, pouring; baptize in snow |
Church to relieve its own needy | Pay doctor bills, buy food, provide care | Church supported benevolent organization |
Church to assemble
Heb. 10: 25; 1 Cor. 11:20,33 |
Borrow, rent, buy meeting
place |
Build kitchen, fellowship hall, cathedral |
Church to edify itself | Bible classes, study guides, library, purchase workbooks | Superintendent of Bible school, church supported school |