by Rufus Clifford III
Synopsis: Having rejected the ancient paths of Sacred Scripture (Jer. 6:16), many today are like the Athenians who used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new (Acts 17:21).
During Jesus' day, the people were amazed at His power. In fact, we are told in Luke 5:26, "And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, 'We have seen strange things today'" They had just witnessed Jesus heal a man who was suffering from palsy. His friends lowered him down through the roof Jesus healed him, and he walked out on his own. This amazed everyone and they proclaimed, "We have seen strange things today."
We all can relate to how they felt because we too have seen strange things in our lives. Unfortunately, it is not what I am seeing, but what I am hearing that now disturbs me. Over the years I have heard strange things coming from the mouths of so-called mature Christians. The problem is I continue to hear them in various places. Let me share some strange things I keep hearing.
Today some assert, "The way we establish authority is man-made!" Now I know that whenever this is said, someone is usually trying to advocate some new thing concerning the work and worship of the Lord's church. They will say, "Nowhere in the Bible will you find Jesus or an apostle saying, 'You establish authority by direct command, approved example, or necessary inference.' This means that it must be man-made or just church of Christ doctrine!"
I might point out there is no such critter as church of Christ doctrine but there is the doctrine of Christ, and there is a big difference! These folks want a new hermeneutic, and if the old hermeneutic was man-made, then there would be no reason not to change it. D.R. Dungan defined hermeneutics several years ago, stating, "Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation. Sacred hermeneutics is the science of interpreting the Scriptures."
Such brethren fail to remember that authority is inherent with God for He created everything (Gen. 1:1). God the Father gave authority to Christ (Heb. 1:1-4). Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles in writing the New Testament (John 14:26). The Bible was written so every person could understand it (Eph. 3:4). God expects people to study and meditate upon His divine word (2 Tim. 2:15).
When I open my Bible, I find Jesus using all three ways of establishing authority. In John, we read "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35). First, we have a direct command or statement given: "That ye love one another" (v. 34). Second, we have an approved example given: "As I have loved you" (v. 34). Third, we have a necessary inference given: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (v. 35).
The inspired apostles established authority the same way in Acts 15. Necessary inference was used by Peter (vv. 7-11). An approved example was offered by Paul and Barnabas (v. 12). A direct command or statement was issued by James (vv. 13-19). Logically if Jesus and the apostles taught in this manner, then the way of establishing Biblical authority came from God, not man.
Another strange thing I keep hearing: "The steps of salvation are man-made!" I continue to hear this from brethren in several places. I had one man bring me an article that he found on the internet, concerning Walter Scott, where someone claimed that he was the one who came up with the five steps of salvation. Scott was part of the Restoration Movement and was not born until 1796, which was long after Jesus and the apostles lived and taught on this earth.
However, when I open my Bible, I find Jesus and the apostles teaching five steps to be saved:
Such brethren should realize if Jesus and the apostles taught the five steps of salvation then it came from God, and not man. The Bible says it, and I believe it. I pray that all would believe it and then perhaps that would stop the strange things I keep hearing!
Author Bio: Rufus has preached at the Central church of Christ in Charlotte TN for seven years. He and his wife, Carey, have two grown children and three grandchildren. The church website is central-churchofchrist.org. He can be reached at rcliff5937@aol.com.
