A question about the scriptural authority for our website
Dear M.G.,
You asked,
“I notice you are very scrupulous about sticking exclusively to New Testament practices.Where do you find your New Testament guidelines for use of the radio and Internet?”We believe we should have authority from the New Testament for the things that we do as Christians. We respect
both the written commands of scripture and the silence of the scripture (Lev. 10:1 - Nadab and Abihu were
condemned for using fire that God had ‘commanded not’)There are commands that give us all the specifics, as well as commands that are more ‘open-ended’
said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you. 28 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins. 29 “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day
when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” In instituting the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gives the specifics of ‘bread’ and ‘fruit of the vine’, for this reason we can’t use
Big Macs and Coca-Cola in the communion service.Example of a generic command: Matthew 28:19,2019 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Here, the command is simply “Go.” If Jesus had said, “Go by foot”, then we would be bound by that, however, since
the command is an open-ended “Go”, we have New Testament authority to go into the world by any available means.
(i.e. by foot, car, train, plane, television, radio, mail-outs, internet, etc.)For more information on determining New Testament authority, I encourage you to look through some notes
compiled by Wyn Baker, an evangelist who works with our congregation. There are two parts to these notes, here
are the links, please look over them at your convenience: Authority in Religion: A basic bible reference studyAuthority in Religion — continued I hope this answers your question, and please continue in your studies knowing we are here to answer any
questions you may have to the best of our abilities and with scriptural authority.This answer from thegospelfortoday.com has been prepared by minister Justin Murdock, on behalf of the Garrett’s
Creek Church of Christ.
both the written commands of scripture and the silence of the scripture (Lev. 10:1 - Nadab and Abihu were
condemned for using fire that God had ‘commanded not’)There are commands that give us all the specifics, as well as commands that are more ‘open-ended’
For example, your wife asks you to go to the store and pick up something for dinner. You can get steak, chicken,
spaghetti… Whatever, and still be following her instructions. On the other hand, if she asks you to go to the store
and pickup a roast for dinner, and you come home with chicken, you have not folowed her instructions… (trust me on
this one 
…The difference? One is generic (get “something” for dinner) and one is specific (get a roast for dinner).
Biblical example of a specific command:
Matthew 26:26-29:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples andsaid, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you. 28 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins. 29 “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day
when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” In instituting the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gives the specifics of ‘bread’ and ‘fruit of the vine’, for this reason we can’t use
Big Macs and Coca-Cola in the communion service.Example of a generic command: Matthew 28:19,2019 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Here, the command is simply “Go.” If Jesus had said, “Go by foot”, then we would be bound by that, however, since
the command is an open-ended “Go”, we have New Testament authority to go into the world by any available means.
(i.e. by foot, car, train, plane, television, radio, mail-outs, internet, etc.)For more information on determining New Testament authority, I encourage you to look through some notes
compiled by Wyn Baker, an evangelist who works with our congregation. There are two parts to these notes, here
are the links, please look over them at your convenience: Authority in Religion: A basic bible reference studyAuthority in Religion — continued I hope this answers your question, and please continue in your studies knowing we are here to answer any
questions you may have to the best of our abilities and with scriptural authority.This answer from thegospelfortoday.com has been prepared by minister Justin Murdock, on behalf of the Garrett’s
Creek Church of Christ.
