Before we conclude this brief study of hermeneutics, I want us to review what we have learned. God has revealed His word in such a way that we can understand it. Paul affirmed this in his letter to the Ephesians: “By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4). He expected them to be able to take what he wrote and arrive at the same understanding of God’s will that he had. We should be able to do the same thing today.
This begins by recognizing that Jesus has “all authority” (Matthew 28:18) and that His will is expressed in His word (the Scriptures). Because He possesses all authority, we are to act with His authority in all that we do. As Paul wrote, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).
However, just because we recognize the authority of Christ does not automatically mean we will interpret His word correctly. We can acknowledge the Lordship of Christ but still act contrary to His will. Jesus Himself described this at the end of His Sermon on the Mount: “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:22-23).
Jesus asked, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Those He addressed on this occasion acknowledged Him as Lord, but they did not follow His teachings. Lest we be guilty of failing to do what He said, we need to understand His word. This includes:
- Understanding how authority is established – This is done by examining direct commands or statements, approved examples, and divine implications (from which we draw necessary inferences). As we noticed, this is how all communication works.
- Recognizing the difference between generic and specific authority – Sometimes God was specific about what He wants us to do, in which case we must do just what He said. Other times He has given us options for how to carry out His will.
- Properly interpreting the silence of the Scriptures – Just because the Bible says nothing about a particular practice does not mean it is acceptable for us to do. Claiming that “the Bible doesn’t say not to” does not justify a practice.
- Knowing how to follow the New Testament pattern – We do not go to the Old Testament for our authority, but we follow the pattern revealed in the New Testament. By putting various passages together, we see a complete picture of what God expects us to do.
- Understanding the difference between what has been bound and loosed – The things that God has required, we must do. The things that God has permitted, we may do. But we cannot get these confused, lest we treat God’s requirements as optional and create man-made laws for others to follow regarding matters of liberty.
As we studied these points, we considered some examples of things that we do and how we know we have authority for them (such as the practice of the Lord’s Supper), or things we do not do and how we know they are unauthorized (like using instrumental music in worship to God).
However, there are many other practices that were not addressed specifically in this study. To adapt the inspired words of the apostle, “I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25) if we were to address every possible practice to see whether it is authorized or unauthorized. Yet the principles we discussed can be used to address any question that arises about what we have authority to do.
Paul declared that the Scriptures, which have been given by divine inspiration, equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, we need to go to the Scriptures and show that Christians are commanded or authorized to do something before we assume that the Lord will accept the service we offer. We do not want to be like those who claimed to do things in His name but were condemned for practicing lawlessness (Matthew 7:22-23). Therefore, we need to take the proper approach to interpreting the Bible so that we can “accurately [handle] the word of truth” and be “approved to God” (2 Timothy 2:15).
So let us always approach the Bible with humility toward God, eagerness to obey Him, and carefulness to arrive at a proper understanding of His will.
