How Does God Speak To Us? Hebrews 1:1,2

Great Implications For Us Matthew 17:4-5 NKJV 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

How Then Does He Speak To us? God worked a plan through Jesus to give us a confirmed, written word Any generation that does not understand this process is in great danger Men in rebellion seek other subjective ways than relying of God- Proverbs 3:5-7

God’s Eternal Plan Involves Delivered Words – John 17 Jesus came to fulfill & teach God’s plan – John 17:4,5 Jesus repeatedly pointed out that He taught & did nothing of Himself- John 17:6-8; 5:19,20, 30 Peter was to feed only on the words that were given to Jesus – John 6:63,68 Jesus wanted others to test the source of doctrine – John 7:16,17

God’s Eternal Plan Involves Delivered Words – John 17 Jesus gave the same words to us – John 8:28-32 Real test of loving Jesus is how we handle these words – John 14:21-24 Example set by Jesus instilled in apostles – John 17:14-19, 26 Apostles only means by which we can know & believe in Jesus – John 17:20

How Did Jesus Prepare & Present His Apostles to His Followers? What is an Apostle? This is the name Jesus chose for them- Luke 6:13 “delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders; Specially applied to the twelve disciples whom Christ selected, out of the multitude of His adherents, to be His constant companions and the heralds to proclaim to men the kingdom of God:” Thayer’s Lexicon

How Did Jesus Prepare & Present His Apostles to His Followers? General usage – Acts 14:14 Jesus interacted with these men before He chose them- Luke 6:12; Matthew 4:19-22 Trained them for more than 3 years - John 15:27 Jesus’ words would “bind & loose” through these men – Matthew 16:19; 18:18; Luke 6:46 Attitude toward apostles same as towards Christ- John 15:19,20 No sins forgiven without their revelation – John 20:21-23

How Was The Early Church Taught To Handle The Words Of The Apostles? Jesus worked by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles- John 14:24-26 The Holy Spirit would give them perfect remembrance of what Jesus spoke & teach them additional things – John 16:12-15 No ability, memory or study required – Matthew 10:19,20 Sobering and powerful claims of inspiration – Ephesians 3:5

How Was The Early Church Taught To Handle The Words Of The Apostles? God gave signs to show the apostles were inspired of God – 2 Corinthians 12:12 Spiritual gifts were only given through laying on of Apostle’s hands- Acts 8:14-18; 2 Timothy 1:6 The Apostles “handed down” what they received from Jesus – 1 Corinthians 11:2,23; 15:3; Jude3 Consistent teaching applied to all churches – 1Corinthians 4:17; 7:17; 11:16; 14:33-37

How Was The Early Church Taught To Handle The Words Of The Apostles? Fail to obey this “tradition” delivered from apostles is to forsake Christ – 2 Thessalonians 3:3,4,6,12,14 When an epistle was given to one church it could be given to other churches and thus all generations – Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 2 Peter 2:1,2 These words were never a product of human culture! The early church only needed to know that these words came from the Apostles

The Power & Place Of Examples In The Delivered Words Of The Apostles Most of the New Testament is in the form of an example Because these are God’s words we can handle these examples in a different way that human writings- Acts 1:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 4:1,2 Commands can be passed on to generations through examples Consider example of the Lord’s Supper – 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, 17, 20,21 When you can out examples as binding you cast out work of apostles – Ephesians 2:20; Acts 2:42

Is Jesus Head Of The Church? Build on His foundation! Ephesians 2:20 Revelation 21:14