PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH GOVERNEMENT FOR EVERYDAYLIFE
– AUTHORITY AND GOD –
(Week 2)
A noted historian once said, “We are doomed to relive the mistakes of past generations if we do not learn from their mistakes.” Previous world wars in the eyes of many of the present generation may pail in significance when they view the present war that we are now in. For some of us who may only be removed several generations some of the horrors inflicted on fellow human beings are not so quickly forgotten. True enough, the Bible and history both record in vivid detail the conflicts and the consequences of man’s actions. Where do we appeal for our standards of right and wrong? How do we justify the terrible things done in the name of humanity or even at times the things done in the name of religion?
During World War II the German people as a nation, then known as Nazi Germany, implemented laws for their country that brought about the systematic destruction of 6 million men, women and children simply because they were Jews. When the International court of law convened in Nuremberg, the German defense was that they were only obeying the laws of their land. Understand, though, we can not be a law to ourselves. There must be an objective standard to which we appeal for our basis of morality. When Robert Jackson, one of the Supreme Court Justices of the United States, who was the prosecutor made his closing statements notice what he said, “These men should be tried on this basis, on a higher law, a higher law which rises above the provincial” – (the provincial is the area of Germany, the geographical area) – “and the transient” (the period of time in which the Nazis had charge of Germany). He appealed to a law that was above the laws of Germany, England, and America. In effect, he made it clear that they could not invent a law for their own people with an attitude of “This is right for us even if it wrong for you.” <Thomas B. Warren – Warren / Flew Debate 1976
National Christian Press – Jonesboro, Arkansas p. 16-18>
There is a basic part of our nature that allows us to accept or acknowledge some things as being right or good, while others are bad or wrong. This isn’t a mistake in our DNA that just happened to evolve over eons of time. God, the creator and giver of all life has placed within each of us a sense of oughtness. We know the Bible speaks of man having a conscience which is capable of convicting or excusing one in their actions. We also know that our conscience has to be trained or taught and it can in fact be misled. We must look to God for the authority for what we do in this life. We search His word to learn of His will for mankind and what he expects of us as individuals. We can know from the world and ourselves of His existence. We must look to His divine revelation, though, to know His will. He is the one who made all things. Because He is the creator, He has the right to tell us, His creation, what we can or cannot do. He has the right to tell us what will happen if we do a certain thing or engage in a certain activity.
Once more we must emphasize that all authority originates with God. Since that authority originates and resides with Him, we must go to Him to find out what we are authorized to do in life and in the name of religion. Anything that does not meet the standard that He has placed in existence through His written word must be set aside and not be followed. We must at all times at all cost do His will!
Larry R. Scott, minister
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT FOR EVERYDAY
LIFE – AUTHORITY AND GOD – (Week 2) Thursday January 10th., 2008
1. We recognize authority in everyday life by some simple things like paying our taxes,
stopping for the red light, obeying the laws of man. Does God authorize us to engage
in these activities?_________________ (Give some Scripture references)
________________________________________________________________
2. In the Lord’s Church we are authorized to become children of God. We are given this
privilege by our being born into the family of God. Can you give some passages that
authorize this? _______________________________________________________
3. Are the men chosen to lead the congregation as Elders authorized to ask us to do or not
do certain things? ______Give references____________________________________
4. What was the choice that Joshua made for himself and his family in Joshua 24:15?
_____________________________________________________________________
5. God has the authority, the power, and the right to tell man what he ought to do. List
some examples of this from everyday life. ________________________________
6. Does King David speak of the power of God in I Chronicles 29:11-12? _______
7. “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy __________ endureth throughout
all generations.” (Psalm 145:13)
8. “And as many as walk according to this _______, peace be on them, and mercy, and
upon the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16)
9. From Daniel 5:21 who is the person being spoken of when this statement is made,
“till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he
appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” _______________________
10. Will our respect for God, His word, His authority, His dominion, His rule, His power
have any bearing on how we conduct our lives? __________________________
Student ______________________ Date ____________________
Grade ___________
Instructor: Larry R. Scott, minister
Sandhills Church of Christ
Rockingham, NC