Biblical Authority - 4

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY, # 4

Implication

Introduction:   Review briefly highlights of prior lessons (chain of authority; direct statement; example). What God has said, he has said either explicitly or implicitly.

1.     Definitions:

a.     Explicit - “1. clearly stated and leaving nothing implied; distinctly expressed; definite; 2. saying what is meant, without reservation or disguise; outspoken; 3. plain to see; readily observable.”

b.     Implicit -“1. suggested or to be understood though not plainly expressed; implied; 2. necessarily or naturally involved though not plainly apparent or expressed; essentially a part or condition; inherent. 3. without reservation or doubt; unquestioning; absolute.”

2.     Illustrations:

a.      John is taller than Joe; Joe is taller than Jim (explicit statements).

  b.   John is taller than Jim (implied by above information; just as true, though not explicitly stated.)

c.      Square, 3 in. on one side.

3.     Remember, whatever is implied is just as true as that which is stated in so many words.

a.     A correct, proper use of principles of interpretation is needed in order to arrive at correct conclusions.

  *b.    Notice: “The reason I am bound by God’s word is not that I read it but that He wrote it. The reason I am bound by those things implicit in His word is NOT that I inferred it BUT that HE implied it.” (Robert Camp, The Spiritual Sword, July, 1970).

I.          What Implication is Not.

A.    Implication is not assumption!

1.     Illustrate: Infant baptism.

2.     Some argue that (1) since the Bible mentions household conversions; and (2) since these households were baptized; and (3) since many households contain infants; then (4) infant baptism is implied in Scriptures.

3.     But notice, the Bible specifically mentions, in other places (contextually), something specific about these households which rules out the possibility of infants being included.

a.     Cornelius - they all spake in tongues.

b.     Lydia - they were capable of being comforted by the visit of Paul & Silas (Acts l6:40).

c.     Stephanus - (1 Cor. 1:16) - they were capable of “being addicted to the ministry of the saints (1 Cor. 16:15).

d.     Cripus - (Acts 18:8) - they believed.

e.     Jailer - (Acts 16:34) they all believed and rejoiced

f.     Thus, it is not implication, but assumption to see infants included in household conversions.

II.                        Biblical Illustrations of the Use of Implication

A.    Gen. l3:1ff. - Lot came out of Egypt with Abraham; thus, he must have gone down to Egypt!

B.    2 Chron. 34:1-3 - How old was Josiah when he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem? (v. 1- 8 years old when he began to reign; twelfth year (v.3); thus, he was 20 years old.

C.    How do we know Jesus went down into the water when he was baptized? Because the Bible says “he came up out of the water.” (Mt. 3:16).

D.    How do we know that infants are not subjects of the great commission? Because it involves being preached to, believing, and repenting; things which infants cannot do!

E.     How do I know that the jailor was not saved at Acts 16:31? By implied statements from the context!

F.     I Tim. 3 - qualifications of elders.

1.     A woman cannot be an elder in the Lord’s church. Why?  “Husband of one wife!”

2.     A young boy cannot be an elder. Why? “Not a novice.”

G.    How many churches did Jesus build? Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22, 23; Eph. 4:4

III.       Our Lord’s Use of Implication.

A.    “The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men?” (Mt. 21:23-27- made them think!)

B.     Mt. 22:29 ff. - Jesus chastised the Sadducees for not knowing the Scriptures - that is, things implied by the Scriptures! Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were still in existence, based on what is implied in the statement, “I am the God of Abraham,” etc.

IV.       Application of This Principle

Acts 17:30 - implies I must repent!  I am somewhere, and I am someone!

Conclusion:         If the use of implied statements is denied as establishing Biblical authority, then there is nothing binding upon any man living today! My name does not appear anywhere in the Bible!

However, notice Mt. 22:31 - “...have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God...” When did God say that? At the burning bush, Ex.3. To whom did he say it? Moses.  But, Jesus says that God also spoke unto the Sadducees in the first century! Implication!