“If the New Testament does not forbid it, then, that is authority for it!” Have you ever heard this? Well, think about it for a while; no, really give some thought to it! More than likely you have never heard anyone ask this question. Sometimes it is not put forward in this strong a statement but a growing number of brethren, no, they do not say it, but they believe it.
How far reaching is this kind of authority: “If the New Testament does not forbid it, then, this is authority for it?” It has an exceedingly long arm. Let us take a subject that is dear to our hearts, the Lord’s Supper. Let me ask four questions, while numbering each one:
1) Do you know what the Lord’s Supper is?
2) Do you know when the Lord’s Supper is to be taken?
3) Can you name the elements that make up the Lord’s Supper? And,
4) Do you know who is to take the Lord’s Supper?
Now, let me answer each question in the order listed.
1) “Do you know what the Lord’s Supper is?” The answer to question number one is, it is the remembrance of the Jesus’ death.
2) “Do you know when the Lord’s Supper is to be taken?” The answer to question number two is: the Lord’s Supper is to be taken on the first day of the week.
3) “Can you name the two elements that are the Lord’s Supper?” The answer to question number three is: the Lord’s Supper has two elements: 1) Unleavened bread and 2) fruit of the vine.
4) “Do you know who is to take of the Lord’s Supper?” The answer to question number four is: the Lord’s Supper is to be taken by the saints.
Now, that was not ridiculously hard, was it?
However, is there a bigger word, a word that has more in it, than the word “however?”
Putting that aside, let us get to the point of this article: New Testament Authority. Would it surprise you to know, that each of the answers given, is a subject of debate? Most people would answer that simple question, “no!” In this article, number two, we will not try to debate each question and each answer given above but each one will be noted. The first question, “Do you know what the Lord’s Supper is?” Is often misspoken, the Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of Jesus’ death and is not a memorial of his resurrection, as is so often stated. If you desire to follow through a series of the events, and end it with the Lord’s resurrection, or even his ascension into heaven, at the “right hand of the Majesty on high,” there is no problem, as it ends in the victory! However, here is that “big” word again; using the point of this series of articles, New Testament Authority, does the New Testament “forbid” the use of something other than, unleavened bread and fruit of the vine? The answer is, No, it does not! Using the test of: “If the New Testament does not forbid it, then, that is authority for it!” If a person desires to use “cornbread and buttermilk” and call it the Lord’s Supper, where is the New Testament authority that condemned it? You cannot find where “cornbread and buttermilk” are forbidden! Now, take this question, where in the New Testament is it forbid for a congregation, for taking the Lord’s Supper on Friday night? You got it, no where in the New Testament does it forbid taking the Lord’s Supper on Friday night, are for this matter, at any other time, day, or night! Now, look at the fourth question: “Do you know who is to take of the Lord’s Supper?” Well, do you know? Of course, we would answer, the saints. Do you know any place in the New Testament where it reveals, someone other than a saint took of the Lord’s Supper? No! But do you know where in the New Testament it forbids someone other than a saint to take the Lord’s Supper? Once more, the answer is no.
Now, you are beginning to understand the problem, that some bring with them when the subject is “New Testament Authority!” If we ascertain New Testament authority by the rule of Martin Luther and the denominational world on the subject and there is a growing number of our brethren who would try and get their New Testament Authority the same way: “Where in the New Testament is it forbidden and the list of subjects just goes on and on!
We are beginning to see why there is so much division in “Christians.” It is my hope as I continue to write on this subject: New Testament Authority, that our eyes will be opened to the problems.
Frank R. Williams