All that we teach and practice

• All that we teach and practice • Every question & issue • Every division

Trend In Society: “Truth” is Vague – Not Absolute n No absolute standard of right & wrong n “Truth” is what you want it to be n Removes accountability n Tolerance

Discussion About Authority ü “That’s not authorized!” ü “Where is the Bible authority for…. ? ” ü “There is no authority for that. ” ü “We do a lot of things that are not authorized. ” ü “The Bible doesn’t say ‘not to. ’”

I. What Is Authority?

I. What Is Authority? English: “The power to command, enforce laws, exact obedience, determine, or judge” (AHD, 142) Greek (EXOUSIA): “Power of rule or government, the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others e. g. Matt. 28: 18…” (Vines I: 89) Inherent Delegated Because of who one is Received from one in authority • God • I have over my money • Given to man by God • You spend my money

I. What Is Authority? II. God Has Authority Over Man

II. God Has Authority Over Man Because He Is God • God (Exo. 3: 14; Rev. 4: 8) Word Is Authoritative • Inspired (2 Tim. 3: 16 -17) • Creator (Gen. 1: 1; Heb. 3: 4) • Violation = Sin (1 Jno. 3: 4) • Infinite wisdom (Isa. 55: 8 -9) • Taught w/ auth. (Tit. 2: 15) • Has all authority (Mt. 28: 18) • Can’t alter (Rev. 22: 18 -19) • Judged by it (Jno. 12: 48)

I. What Is Authority? II. God Has Authority Over Man III. We Must Have Bible Authority

III. We Must Have Bible Authority God Has A Pattern Heb. 8: 5 • Do all in name of Christ (Col. 3: 17) • Abide within the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9) • Christ is head of the church (Eph. 1: 22 -23; 5: 23 -24) • If not, can do anything!

I. What Is Authority? II. God Has Authority Over Man III. We Must Have Bible Authority IV. How To Determine What Is Authorized

IV. How To Determine What Is Authorized Acts 15 Circumcision Illustracted Lord’s Supper vv. 13 -21 Command/ Direct Statement v. 12 Approved Example Time of Ob. vv. 7 -11 Necessary Inference Frequency Observance 1 Cor. 11: 23 -24 Acts 20: 7

I. What Is Authority? II. God Has Authority Over Man III. We Must Have Bible Authority IV. How To Determine What Is Authorized V. General & Specific Authority

V. Generic & Specific Authority Command Generic Specific Build ark - Gen. 6: 14 Wood Gopher Wash 7 Times - 2 Kings 5 River Jordan Offer – Lev. 14: 12 -13 Animal Lamb Praise – Eph. 5: 19 Music Sing Buy me a canned drink Cola Pepsi

I. What Is Authority? II. God Has Authority Over Man III. We Must Have Bible Authority IV. How To Determine What Is Authorized V. General & Specific Authority VI. Aids Are Authorized, Additions Are Not

VI. Aids Are Authorized, Additions Are Not An Addition Involves Another Element Being Added! Command Aid Addition Eat Bread – 1 Cor. 11 Table, plates … Jam, beef, cola Baptize – Matt. 28: 19 Baptistry, heater Sprinkling Build an ark – Gen. 6: 14 Tool, Animal Oak, Cedar Sing – Eph. 5: 19 Books, Tuner Instrumental Music Contribute – 1 Cor. 16 Basket, Account Mon. / Sat.

I. What Is Authority? II. God Has Authority Over Man III. We Must Have Bible Authority IV. How To Determine What Is Authorized V. General & Specific Authority VI. Aids Are Authorized, Additions Are Not VII. The Silence of God Is Not Authority

VII. God’s Silence Is Not Authority Two Mindsets Permissive Prohibitive At liberty to do what is not condemned Forbidden to act Without authority Heb. 7: 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood

I. What Is Authority? II. God Has Authority Over Man III. We Must Have Bible Authority IV. How To Determine What Is Authorized V. General & Specific Authority VI. Aids Are Authorized, Additions Are Not VII. The Silence of God Is Not Authority