Bible Authority Aids and Additions

God Has Revealed a Pattern “…make all things according to the pattern shown you…” Hebrews 8:5 “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13

[Blueprints to build a house] Two Kinds of Authority [Blueprints to build a house] GENERIC Includes all things needed to build the house (tools…) SPECIFIC Excludes all things not specified in the blueprints

Ark of gopher wood, Genesis 6:14 Bible Authority Generic Aids Specific Additions Build Ark of gopher wood, Genesis 6:14 Lord’s Supper First day of week Acts 20:7 Unleavened Bread Fruit of the Vine Luke 22:1, 18

Immerse (buried) Romans 6:4 Colossians 2:12 Bible Authority Generic Aids Specific Additions Lord’s Supper In remembrance Luke 22:19 Baptism Immerse (buried) Romans 6:4 Colossians 2:12

Bible Authority Generic Aids Specific Additions Sing Make Melody Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16 Elders Feed flock among you, 1 Peter 5:2-3 In every church Acts 14:23

Bible Doctrine of Aids Definition (sumphero): “lit., to bring together… to be an advantage, profitable, expedient…” (Vine) cf. John 16:7 “To bear together or at the same time; to carry with others; to collect or contribute in order to help, hence to help, be profitable, be expedient…” (Thayer, 597) Assist or help in accomplishing the will of God (in harmony with His revealed will)

Bible Doctrine of Aids An aid is a lawful (helpful) liberty, 1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23 Command: Glorify God and cause no offense, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Lawful to eat meat, but not always helpful (would not always aid in glorifying God without offense) Aid: Helps us obey God’s revealed will

Bible Doctrine of Aids Aid: Helps obey God’s revealed will Aid does not change the force or effect of the authorized (approved) action “Incidentals” / “Non-essentials” Noah’s tools did not change building, Genesis 6:14 Trays, cups do not change eating, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Song books do not change singing, Ephesians 5:19

Bible Authority Generic Aids Specific Additions Build Tools Ark of gopher wood Genesis 6:14 Oak, Spruce (another kind of wood) Lord’s Supper Set Hour Containers First day Acts 20:7 Unlvn. Bread Fruit of Vine Luke 22:1, 18 Monday (another day) Cookies, Coke (other emblems)

Bible Authority Generic Aids Specific Additions Lord’s Supper Place (building, tent, field) In remembrance Luke 22:19 Eat and drink 1 Cor. 11:22, 34 (another purpose) Baptism Baptistery, Pool, Lake, River, Tub, Ocean Immerse (buried) Romans 6:4 Colossians 2:12 Sprinkle, Pour (another action)

Bible Authority Generic Aids Specific Additions Make Melody Song books Pitch pipe Sing Eph. 5:19 Col. 3:16 Play Instrument (another kind of music) Elders Business meeting Congreg. Mtg. (info) Feed flock among you 1 Pet. 5:2-3 Acts 14:23 Elder Conference Sponsoring Church (another kind of organizational oversight)

Bible Doctrine of Aids Aids involve choices (non-essentials) Choose whether to use a pitch pipe and books to sing Choose whether to use power point, loudspeaker, and a pulpit to preach Choose whether to use printed material to edify Aids are left unspecified – Use judgment concerning their expediency Aids must edify, not stumbling, 1 Corinthians 10:23

Bible Authority Work of the Local Church Generic Aids Specific Additions Preach Pulpit Sound system Power point Gospel 1 Thess. 1:8 Acts 11:22 Edify Classes Bulletin Study Material Spiritual 1 Cor. 14:26 Acts 20:32

Deliver by Courier, Mail Bible Authority Work of the Local Church Generic Aids Specific Additions Relieve the Needy Direct Relief Purchase It Deliver by Courier, Mail Christians Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 6:1-6; 11:27-30; Rom. 15:26-27 1 Cor. 16: 1-2 2 Cor. 8 and 9

Bible Doctrine of Additions Definition (prostithemi): “to put to, to add, join to, gather with any company” (Thayer); Matthew 6:27 Addition changes the force and effect of the authorized (approved) action Ark: Raft would have been an addition Baptism: Pour and sprinkle are additions Sing: Instrument of music (playing) is an addition

Pulpit Sound system Power point Bible Authority Work of the Local Church Generic Aids Specific Additions Preach Pulpit Sound system Power point Gospel 1 Thess. 1:8 Acts 2:42 Politics (another kind of message) Edify Classes Bulletin Study Material Spiritual building up 1 Cor. 14:26 Acts 20:32 Social Activities (another kind of program)

Bible Authority Work of the Local Church Generic Aids Specific Additions Relieve the Needy Delivery methods: -Direct relief- -Purchase it- -Courier- -Mail- Christians Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 6:1-6; 11:27-30 Rom. 15:26-27 1 Cor. 16:1-2 2 Cor. 8 and 9 Non-Christians (another kind of recipient)

Specific Organization Bible Authority Organization of the Local Church Specific Work Specific Organization Aids Additions Preach Local Church -Elders- -Deacons- -Saints- Acts 14:23 Philippians 1:1 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Radio TV Internet Printed material Pulpit Missionary Society Sponsoring Church Herald of Truth

Specific Organization University Bible Chair Bible Authority Organization of the Local Church Specific Work Specific Organization Aids Additions Edify the Saints Local Church -Elders- -Deacons- -Saints- Acts 14:23 Philippians 1:1 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Classes Teachers Material Sunday School Board University Bible Chair

Specific Organization Bible Authority Organization of the Local Church Specific Work Specific Organization Aids Additions Relieve Needy Saints Local Church -Elders- -Deacons- -Saints- Acts 14:23 Philippians 1:1 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Delivered by Messengers Delivered directly Purchased Children’s Home Medical Mission

Bible Doctrine of Additions Additions are forbidden, not approved, 2 John 9; Galatians 1:8-9; Revelation 22:18 Add to God’s word – Turn away from Christ’s gospel to a different gospel, Galatians 1:6 Perverted gospel and departure from grace