After a little break, we are continuing this series of articles looking at principles of interpretation that will help you understand the Bible. We have already spent time talking about how God issues commands in the Scriptures. We know that He gives us direct commands, implied commands, and approved examples to show us exactly what He wishes us to do or to not do. This is key in knowing how to please God in our daily living, organization of the church, and worship. In this article, we are going to dig a little deeper and see that God’s commands can also be broken down into two different types.
You may have noticed that some of God’s commands are very broad in scope. They tell you what to do, but they don’t tell you how to do it. For example, in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39, the Bible tells us to “…love your neighbor as yourself.” These are called generic commands. This command has two parts. There is the what you must do (love your neighbor) and the manner in which you must do it (as yourself). However, this leaves the door wide open as to how you should do it.
When God gives a generic command, there is great freedom as to how the fulfillment of the command may be carried out. How do I love my neighbor? Can I invite them to church? Can I bring them food? Can I write them cards? Certainly! The only qualifier in this case is whether or not the act is loving as defined by God. 1 John 3:16 tells us, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” So, I can’t love my neighbor by ignoring their needs or doing any kind of unkindness toward them. But, any loving act is included.
Now, not all commands are generic. Sometimes God gives specific commands as well. These are those commands that include how to do them. For example, in Matthew 28:19, Jesus told his disciples to “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…” This passage does not just tell us what to do but specifies how it must be done. He says, “…baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” In this case, we are told the method of complying with His command. Making disciples must be done by baptizing them by the authority of God. If Jesus specified the method, then all other methods are excluded. I cannot obey Jesus by skipping the step of baptism.
Understanding the difference between generic and specific commands is yet another key concept of understanding the Bible. God is holy and must be regarded as holy. If we understand this, we will not go beyond what is written.