Authority in Colossians

Many groups attack the Church of Christ for requiring authority for what we do. They raise the argument that we have no authority for song books, or church pews, or church buildings, and some other things. Therefore our system is unbiblical and hypocritical.

They miss the point because they aren't reading the text we use correctly.

Col 3:17 "Whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to his name"

We see this as needing Christ's authority for what we practice. It is biblical to ask for authority. The problem is the verse doesn't ask for authority for everything we do, "in word or deed", does not mean every little thing we do from a secular point of view. Like sitting down or standing up, or eating foods that are unregulated, or using a song book.

Romans 14:17

The kingdom of heaven is not eating and drinking.

So not everything is covered under "word or deed", there are things we do that do not fall under Christ's regulations. It is possible that it is a mistranslation or misunderstood translation. The word "In" can be translated "By", so it is us following or "by" Christ's word and Christ's deeds. In such a case it isn't forbidding us from sitting in a pew or using song books, Christ went into buildings. Christ himself used the book of Psalms. So we have an example of a song book being used. Also the word "deed" is too generic, it can be translated "work", as if an official work given us by God. Sitting in a pew isn't an official work from God. Building a building to meet in isn't an official work, but could be allowed because it may be a need. Our authorization can include needs.

Matt 21:3 the Lord hath need of them,

Mark 2:25 Have ye not read what David did when he had need

John 13:29 buy those things that we have need of against the feast

All that is required is having a legitimate need to fulfill commands or fulfill prophecy.

It seems Colossians 3:17 is referring to things that are commanded of Christ and relating to the Kingdom of God. Like Colossians 3:16 mentions singing, teaching with songs, using the voice. It has nothing to do with regulating a song book or the type of chair, or buildings. Yet anything we need to fulfill such commands has been seen as approved by God. Any type of travel might be approved to go preach the Gospel.

The Church is right in requiring authority, we shouldn't abuse this into requiring authority for basic things. We could require authority for breathing. That is a deed. We breathe when singing. You see how people can become silly with their arguments.

Still, most of these arguments are over whether we can have music instruments usually. So it is just arguments for people to get their way.