Thematic Studies In Bible Basics FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Authority is established in the following ways: A command or precept from God Direct, expressed statements from God Either positive or negative in nature Where God has actually spoken…the “easiest” of the revealed methods to understand

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Authority is established in the following ways: An approved example Actions of 1st century saints who were under the direct guidance of Holy Spirit-led apostles Either positive or negative in nature Authoritative = they met with God’s approval Ù “Biblical Precedents”

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Authority is established in the following ways: A necessary inference Inescapable conclusions one must come to when considering a passage of Scripture A text teaches not only by what it states, but also by what it demands necessarily (unstated)

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority A command or precept from God Positive commands from God Abram was to leave Haran Gen 12:1 Hearers were to repent & be baptized Acts 2:38 Negative commands from God Premeditated murder prohibited Ex 20:13

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority A command or precept from God Positive commands from God Abram was to leave Haran Gen 12:1 Hearers were to repent & be baptized Acts 2:38 Negative commands from God Corrupt communication prohibited Eph 4:29

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Approved Examples They must be binding to be authoritative Not every example in the N.T. is authoritative The determining factor is whether or not the example itself is incidental or essential to one obeying God

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Approved Examples Incidental Examples Ù “Go preach the gospel” Paul’s actions Acts 13:4-5 Philip’s actions Acts 8:29-35 Peter’s actions Acts 10:23-24, 33-43

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Approved Examples Incidental Examples Ù Some brethren’s actions Acts 2:44-45 4:34-37 Other brethren’s actions 1 Tim 6:17-18 “Care for the needy”

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Approved Examples Essential Examples Ù # of elders locally Their appointment accomplished through gospel preaching Titus 1:5 The only way we know how many are to be in a local church is through an example Acts 14:23

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Approved Examples Essential Examples Ù The only way we know who may be helped from the treasury benevolently is by N.T. examples and actions directed by apostolic instruction Nine passages constitute this teaching Treasury Benevolence

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Necessary Inferences The “inescapable conclusion” from 1 Cor 16:1-2 is to have a treasury into which the collected funds are to be placed Necessary because we are commanded to give and the funds are to be kept somewhere

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Necessary Inferences The “inescapable conclusion” from Acts 8:35-37 is the necessity of water baptism to salvation Necessary because of the eunuch’s question… would he have asked had not Philip taught it? Important because of efforts to minimize this

Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority Necessary Inferences Important point to remember… Not all inferences are “necessary” Illustrated in Heb 10:25 Necessary inference Ù a place to assemble Unnecessary inference Ù actual church bldg.