EXPLAIN GENERIC AND SPECIFIC AUTHORITY

Bro. Waddey:
Could you please enlighten me on the term "generic Bible authority?"   I have heard that term used before and I am not sure that I
have a full understanding of what it means!  Martin

Dear Bro. Martin:
The word generic derives from our word general.  It is the opposite of specific. Thus generic authority is general authority without specific details being given.

For example: Christ said "Go preach the gospel" (Mk. 16:15). No instructions are given about how we are to go.  So we conclude we are authorized to go by car or bus, plane or train, by foot or bicycle....on the basis of this generic authority.But when Christ said preach "the gospel" that  specifies what we are to preach.  I have specific authority to preach the gospel of Christ and that
excludes, the doctrines and commandments of men, human philosophy, psychology, etc.

A specific command excludes all others.  For example Christ said "Go make disciples...baptizing them" (Matt. 28:19). The word baptize is a verb with specific meaning.  It means to immerse.  Thus this specific command necessarily excludes sprinkling, pouring, or any other type of actions.

The command to "work that which is good to all men" (Gal. 6:10) is generic or general. It sets forth an obligation without specifying any particular means for fulfilling it. Thus we are free to use many methods in ministering to our neighbors and yet do so by the generic authority Christ has given us.

These concepts are especially important when we come to the question of praising God.  The Scripture says, "speaking one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19).  Since there are three possible ways to make music: vocal music, instrumental music and a combination of the two kinds, when God specified one of them it excludes the others.  To sing is very specific, thus we are limited to that way of expressing our praise.

These points will be useful to you a thousand times as you study and seek a correct application of the words of the Savior.  I hope this brief study has been helpful.