BIBLE AUTHORITY What exactly is 'Necessary Inference'?

“Can necessary inference be established as a scriptural means of determining authority from the New Testament, or is it a longstanding tradition”? This question was posed by a brother who seems willing to recognize authority derived from commands and approved examples, but has difficulty seeing necessary inference as legitimate.

While I will agree that determining authority by way of necessary inference is “trickier,” and should be approached with great care, I believe it is legitimate. I believe it is more than simply longstanding tradition.

First, we need to make sure we understand the word, “inference.” To “infer’ is ‘to derive as a conclusion from facts or premises’ (Meriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dict.). Therefore: Infer = judge, conclude, perceive.

Unlike the words, “command” and “example”, this word is not used in scripture, which may be why our brother is suspicious of it as a means of authority. However, “conclude”, “perceive” and ‘judge”, [synonyms of the word], can be found in scripture.

Within the definition, the dictionary advises, “see Imply”. That is because an inference can never stand alone. There must be an implication in order for there to be a necessary inference. There can be no necessary inference unless it is based on information from statements, commands, approved examples, or some combination thereof.

In order for an inference to be authoritative, it must be a necessary conclusion. There are many possible inferences we might make based on sketchy information, but unless we can determine that the Holy Spirit has implied something, we cannot draw a necessary inference. When one draws a conclusion with out an implication he is merely surmising.

Let me cite three approved apostolic examples of the use of necessary inference:

Notice that when the time came for the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles that GOD never directly told Peter that salvation was available to the un-circumicised, He gave him a vision, sent messengers to where he was staying and sent the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household so that they spoke in tongues. From these events Peter was able to perceive the truth that men of “every nation’ could be accepted if they would work righteousness (Acts 10:34-35). That was the only conclusion he could reach from what GOD had revealed. That’s a necessary inference.

The apostle Paul was able to conclude that GOD is the GOD of the Gentiles as well as the Jews (Rom. 3:28ff). His conclusion was based on Abraham being justified by faith apart from the law (Rom. 4:1-3).

Perhaps the clearest example of the use of a necessary inference is provided by James during the debate over circumcision. In this situation we have the apostles recognizing the use of a statement, an example, and a necessary inference all in one context. In establishing authority for conversion of the uncircumcised, Peter makes a statement that GOD “chose” that “the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe” (Acts 15:7); Paul and Barnabas then cited an example of GOD working signs among uncircumcised Gentiles (15:12); and finally James draws the conclusion by saying, “Therefore, I judge that we should not trouble those from necessary inference among the Gentiles who are turning to GOD” (15:19).

Yes! Necessary inference has been established as a scriptural means of determining authority from the New Testament. It is not merely tradition.

October 21, 2019

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