A Study of Authority

 Lesson 4

“And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48).

The Source of Authority

Recapping What It Isn’t…

ØThe Doctrine and practices of the Old Testament

ØWhat the Preachers Say

ØCreeds of men

ØDesires of the congregation

ØElders of a local church

ØThe Results accomplished

The Source of Divine Authority Is Jesus Christ!

•This is odd, isn’t it?  3 weeks on whether or not we need authority or where it comes from

Why?  Because 99% of people in the “religious” world don’t think authority is necessary

Why are we all alone here?  What makes us think we are right and every one else is wrong?

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'  23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' 

Matthew 13:41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,

Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?

Colossians 3:17  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord

 “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48).

How To Establish Authority

 A Quick Summary of Past Lessons

 Christ is the source of authority as king, and head over the church

 The will of Christ is set forth in the New Testament

 It has long been recognized that God teaches us in one of three ways

•N.B. Hardeman quote, 1938

Examples of Direct Command  Not saying this is correct interpretation, just examples  Searching each one in detail will come later

•All Must Repent

Acts 17:30  Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

Luke 13:3  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Hebrews 10:25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

1 Cor 16:1-3 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.

Examples of Approved Examples

•Breaking Bread on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread

Acts 11:29-30 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea

Examples of Necessary Inference

•An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from given data or premises

•Lot went down into Egypt with Abram (Gen. 13:1; 12:10) (if he came up OUT of Egypt, he must have gone IN)

Matthew 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water  If he came up OUT of the water, then he must have gone in

All Means of establishing authority illustrated in the New Testament teaching regarding the Lord’s Supper

•We Learn what to eat and drink by a direct statement)  Was a Passover feast Ex 12 tells us this is unleavened bread, and Matt 26:26-28

(Matt. 26:29) tells us to drink the cup, fruit of the vine

We learn when to eat by example Acts 20:7

Question 1

ØWhat are the three ways Bible Authority is Established?

Question 2

ØWhat three things are established by each of the three methods of establishing authority in the lesson example (The Lord’s Supper)?

Question 3

ØApplication:  The kingdom of God was established on Pentecost (cf. Mk. 9:1; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-4).  Which of the three ways were used to establish this truth?

Question 4

ØApplication:  Baptism to the penitent believer is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Which of the three ways were used to establish this truth?

Question 5

ØApplication:  Are these things authorized or unauthorized?  Counting of Beads, Burning incense, Offering animal sacrifices, Confessing sins to a priest, Sprinkling for baptism, Thursday night communion?