SPEAKING THE ORACLES OF GOD 1 Peter 4:11

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Speaking as the Oracles of God 2

“Oracles” Defined by Strong & Vine Strong - Logion - “an utterance (of God): oracle” Vine - “a diminutive of logos, ‘a word, narrative, statement,’ denotes ‘a Divine response or utterance, an oracle;’ it is used of (a) the contents of the Mosaic Law, Acts 7:38; (b) all the written utterances of God through OT writers, Rom. 3:2; (c) the substance of Christian doctrine, Heb. 5:12; (d) the utterance of God through Christian teachers, 1 Peter 4:11.” Speaking as the Oracles of God 3

Albert Barnes on “oracles of God” “Let him speak as the oracles of God. As the oracles of God speak; to wit, in accordance with the truth which God has revealed, and with an impressive sense of the responsibility of delivering a message from him. The word rendered oracles, (logia) means, properly, something spoken or uttered; then anything uttered by God--a Divine communication--a revelation…” Barnes Notes Speaking as the Oracles of God 4

Clinton Hamilton on “oracles of God” “The translation ‘if anyone speaks, as the oracles of God” makes perfectly good sense. The idea is that the one who teaches or preaches should do so as the oracles of God state. As is from hos that occurs 29 time in this epistle: 1:14, 19, 24; 2:2, 5, 11-14, 16, 25; 3:6-7, 10; 4:10. It is here used as a conjunction with reference to a distinguishing characteristic the speaking is according to the word of God.” Truth Commentaries, The Book of 1 Peter Speaking as the Oracles of God 5

Introduction We must speak according to what the scriptures reveal Opinion or political correctness is not allowed The Apostles & prophets spoke by Divine revelation 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; Ephesians 3:1-5; 2 Peter 1:16-21 Paul said he must speak “as he ought to speak” Ephesians 6:20; Colossians 4:4; Acts 26:25 Paul spoke “boldly” and with “plainness of speech” Ephesians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 3:12 Paul spoke to please God, not men Galatians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 9:16; Romans 1:14-17; Acts 20:17-27 Paul commanded “sound doctrine” be spoken Titus 1:9; 2:1; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Timothy 1:10 What “speaking as the oracles of God’’ requires Speaking as the Oracles of God 6

Speaking of the Love… Speaking as the Oracles of God Of God for man John 3:16 - God sent His only begotten Son to save the world 1 John 4: He is the “propitiation” (atonement) for our sins Romans 5:8 - Christ died for sinners Brethren should have for one another John 15:12 1 John 3:11, 23; 4: John 1:5 1 Peter 4:8 We should NOT have of the world 1 John 2:15-17 James 4:4 7

Speaking of Christ & Him Crucified… As Paul did 1 Corinthians 2:1-8 Crucifixion of Christ is the main theme of the gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1-12; Acts 2:22-36 Speak of His… Death - Romans 5:8 Resurrection - Romans 4:25 Authority and Kingship - Matthew 28:18; 1 Timothy 6:15 Preeminence - Colossians 1:18 Reconciliation - Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20 Church purchased with His blood - Acts 20:28; Matthew 16:18 How we must hear Him Matthew 17:1-5; Acts 3:17-26; John 12:48 Speaking as the Oracles of God 8

Speaking of the Severity of God… Paul declared that God is good and severe Romans 11:22 Nadab & Abihu struck dead for using “strange fire” Leviticus 10:1-4 Korah rebelled against Moses was swallowed by the earth Numbers 16:28-33 Uzzah struck dead for touching the Ark 2 Samuel 6:6-7; cf. Numbers 4:15 23,000 died in one day in the wilderness 1 Corinthians 1:8 Hell awaits the ungodly! Matthew 7:13; 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Speaking as the Oracles of God 9

Speaking of the Perfect Law of Liberty… This Law is the “doctrine of Christ…” Needs no revision - it is perfect! - James 1:25 Cannot be add to or take away from - Revelation 22:18-19 Must be known and studied - 1 Timothy 2:15 It is all sufficient - 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude 3; John 20:30-31 The Bible is a perfect guide and provides for all things… 2 Peter 1:1-11; John 14:26 No other man-made commandment, tradition, creed or manual is needed! Mark 7:7-9 Speaking as the Oracles of God 10

Speaking of the Perfect Law of Liberty… This Law, the doctrine of Christ… Needs no revision - it is perfect! - James 1:25 Cannot be add to or take away from - Revelation 22:18-19 Must be known and studied - 1 Timothy 2:15 It is all sufficient - 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude 3; John 20:30-31 The Bible is a perfect guide and provides for all things… 2 Peter 1:1-11 No other man-made guide is needed! 1 Timothy 1:3-4 Speaking as the Oracles of God 11

Speaking of the Church of Christ… This great institution was called the: “Kingdom of Heaven” - Matthew 3:2 “Body of Christ” - 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:23; 5:30 “House of God” - 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 4:17 It was established according to God’s “eternal purpose” Ephesians 3:11 It is the “pillar and ground of the Truth” 1 Timothy 3:15 It is to edify its own members to make an increase Ephesians 4:11-16 It was purchased with the blood of Christ Act 20:28 Speaking as the Oracles of God 12

Speaking of the Church of Christ… Its beginning was at Jerusalem on Pentecost about AD 33 Isaiah 2:1-3; Acts 2:47 Any denomination that begin at any other time and place is not the Lord’s church! It’s terms of entrance are clearly stated in the book of Acts Baptism is commanded and essential - Acts 2:38-47; 8: ; 9:18; 10:47; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:4-5 We are “Buried with Him” (Christ) by baptism - Romans 6:3-4 Speaking as the Oracles of God 13

Speaking of the Church of Christ… The worship of the N.T. church must be spoken about Any worship not according to the N.T. pattern is “vain worship” John 4:24; Matthew 15:9; Hebrews 8:5 N.T. worshiped was continual and steadfast - Acts 2:42 The Lord’s supper was on the “first day of the week” - Acts 20:7 Laying by in store was on the “first day of the week” - 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Christians sang praises to God - Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19 The need to not forsake the assembly - Hebrews 10:25 Must oppose anything not conforming to the doctrine of Christ 2 John 9-11 Speaking as the Oracles of God 14

Speaking of the Church of Christ… Must speak to how the church is organized and governed Christ the head of the Church - Ephesians 1:22 Elders were ordained in every church - Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-9 Elders oversee the flock among them - 1 Peter 5:1-3; Colossians 1:18 Must speak to the work of the church The work is not entertainment, but… Evangelizing or Preaching the Gospel - Matthew 28:19-20 Mark 16:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 1:8 Edification - Ephesians 4:11-16, 29; 1 Timothy 1:4 Benevolence - Romans 15:21-26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 1 Timothy 5:16 Disciplining wayward members - 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17 Must speak to declaring the “whole counsel of God” Acts 20:27, 20 Speaking as the Oracles of God 15

Speaking Against Sin & Error… Must “reprove, rebuke and exhort” - 1 Timothy 4:1-4 Must not condone sinful marriages - Matthew 19:9 Must rebuke unscriptural marriages as John the Baptist did Matthew 14:4 Man must have his own wife Women must have their own husband Must contend for modest clothing 1 Timothy 2:9; Proverbs 7:10 Must teach to control the tongue - condemn lying, gossip, filthy talk etc. - James 1:26; 3:1-17; Colossians 3:8 Must teach sound doctrine - 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 2:1-8 Must teach to abide in the doctrine of Christ - 2 John 9 Speaking as the Oracles of God 16 1 Corinthians 7:2

Conclusion & Review… To “speak as the oracles of God” requires speaking… On Bible Love About “Christ and Him crucified” On the Severity of God On The “perfect law of liberty” About the Church of Christ Boldly Against Sin and Error Speaking as the Oracles of God 17 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…”