The Law of Specificity.

The Law of Specificity is called the Law of Exclusion in other places. Some call it a ‘given’. It is the starting place in all kinds of study or research.

The dictionary defines Specific as: particular, clearly distinguished from others, expressing oneself in exact terms, not vague.

It is a law that states terms in an exact manner.  It is clear and to the point and excludes all other options.

This is a law that has been around since creation. One can definitely say that God made this law.

Let’s look at it as it applies to Biblical interpretation:

I. Genesis 6:14-16, "Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.  You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.

God specifically told Noah to make the ark out of gopher wood.  That excluded all other kinds of wood because God was specific. God specified the dimensions.  That excluded all other dimensions because God was specific.  To have changed the kind of wood or the dimensions would have been in direct violation of God’s commandment.

II.  Ephesians 5:17-20, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Colossians 3:15-17, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

1 Corinthians 14:15, “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”

How are we to sing praises to God? 1. It is to be a speaking that teaches and encourages.  2.  It is to be done with either psalms, hymns or spiritual songs. 3. The singing is to emanate from the melody and grace in our hearts. 4. It is to be with the spirit. 5. It is to be with understanding (a woo woo or a hmm hmm won’t cut it).

God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit specified how to praise Him in song.  Any additions are excluded. That would exclude any and all instrumental accompaniment.  To have them violates God’s Law of Specificity.

III. Acts 2:38, Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 8:36-37, Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being immersed?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Romans 6:4, Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

John 3:23, Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

God is also specific concerning those desiring the remission (forgiveness) of their sins.  Those requirements are: 1.  Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, 2. Repent and 3. Be baptized (immersed).

Baptism (immersion) requires enough water in which to bury a person. It is a plunging under, dipping under, immersion.  It is not dipping one’s fingers in a bowl and touching someone’s forehead with the wet fingers. It is not pouring a little water on someone’s head. 

God’s law is specific. It excludes everything else for remission (forgiveness) of one’s sins. It excludes anything additional also.

God has said what He means and He means what He says.

Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  And that is without excluding some and adding others.

[Home] [Contents] [Serious Questions] [Questions 2] [TruthQuest] [Prophecy] [Activities] [Links] [About Us] [Contact Us]