We have studied in prior articles (1) the need for authority in religion Col. 3:17; (2) False standards which men use for authority other than the word of God 2Tim 3:16-17 and (3) establishing authority by a direct statement or command, an approved bible example and by necessary inference. Now let us examine a single, common sense outline to determine the authority for any particular thing in religion.

In the chart below notice: (1) Specifics, or a thing that is specified by command, example or necessary inference from God's word or even in any secular example, (2) the generic or general category of any specific, (3) things that are not authorized or things forbidden under any specific or generic and (4)authorized expedients (or authorized things that edify - more on expedients later).

First let us notice a secular example. The purchasing officer of a company is instructed to buy the company 20 Ford automobiles. The specific included is Ford. Its generic is an automobile. There is no authority for the purchasing officer to buy 20 Chevrolets, Hondas or Buicks. He is forbidden to buy anything that is not a Ford because Fords are specified. Expedients that are authorized might be 4 door, red or V-8 so long as they are Fords.

To illustrate these things more let us notice an Old Testament bible example: Noah was instructed to build an ark of gopher wood -Gen.6:14. Gopher is the specific involved in this command from the word of God to Noah. Wood is the generic. There was no authority for Noah to build the ark of pine, hickory or oak. Expedients may have been white or yellow gopher wood; winged or prickly gopher wood so long as Noah used gopher wood. He was obedient to God's command. If Noah had used any other unauthorized wood he would have been disobedient.

Notice now, a New Testament bible example. Music in worship - there are nine N.T. passages that speak of music in worship, all nine say sing - Col. 3:16;Eph. 5:19. The specific involved in regard to music in New Testament worship is singing. The generic would be "make music". Had God instructed us to make music then any music would be authorized, vocal or instrumental, but when singing is specified then other forms of music have no authority or are forbidden. This would include instrumental, humming or whistling. Expedients that are authorized would be any particular thing that would assist the singing - song book, song leader or 4 part harmony.