Authority – Part 3 Based on Billy W. Moore’s class book A Study In Authority and Stan Cox’s powerpoint series of lessons on authority

Definition - Authority Greek Word – Exousia (exousia) Vine: “The power of authority, the right to exercise power… the power of rule or government… the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others.” (page 89). Thayer: “The power of authority and of right… the power of rule or government”

The Source of Authority Matthew 21:23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

The Source of Authority Some things in religion are accepted as authoritative without consideration of the source from which it is derived. We must not only have authority, but it must also be from the proper source.

Improper Sources of Authority The Doctrine and Practices of the Old Testament

Old Testament Doctrines and Practices - Not Authoritative for us today. Tithing Instrumental Music Infant Membership Polygamy

Old Testament Doctrines and Practices - Not Authoritative for us today. Galatians 3:19-25 Colossians 2:13-14 Hebrews 7:11-16 Hebrews 8:6-13a Galatians 5:4-6

Improper Sources of Authority The Doctrine and Practices of the Old Testament What A Preacher Says

What the preacher says doesn’t always go. “Called by the Lord” to preach? Ridiculous to think God would contradict Himself. Preachers must “preach the word.” 2 Timothy 4:1-3

What the preacher says doesn’t always go. 2 Timothy 4:1-3 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

What the preacher says doesn’t always go. Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 1 John 3:24-4:1 3:24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Improper Sources of Authority The Doctrine and Practices of the Old Testament What A Preacher Says Creeds of Men

Creeds of men aren’t authoritative. Matthew 15:8-9 ‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Creeds of men aren’t authoritative. Colossians 2:20-22 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?

Improper Sources of Authority The Doctrine and Practices of the Old Testament What A Preacher Says Creeds of Men The Desires of the Congregation

The Desires of the Congregation Exodus 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

The Desires of the Congregation 1 Samuel 8:4-7 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.

The Desires of the Congregation 1 Samuel 15:15 And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.” 1 Samuel 15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

Improper Sources of Authority The Doctrine and Practices of the Old Testament What A Preacher Says Creeds of Men The Desires of the Congregation Elders

Elders 1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Elders Elders operate under the Chief Shepherd. They have no legislative authority. What if elders said: Mechanical instruments in worship are OK? Women may serve as preachers? Lord’s Supper will only be served quarterly?

Improper Sources of Authority The Doctrine and Practices of the Old Testament What A Preacher Says Creeds of Men The Desires of the Congregation Elders Good Results

Good results aren’t authority. Ends don’t justify the means. Nadab and Abihu’s fire was working, but that didn’t justify what they did. Matthew 7:21-23

Good results aren’t authority. 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!’

Good results aren’t authority. Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Improper Sources of Authority The Doctrine and Practices of the Old Testament What A Preacher Says Creeds of Men The Desires of the Congregation Elders Good Results