Necessary Inferences Judging what is Right (Bible Authority, Part 10)

Attacking Bible Authority Bible authority is always attacked by those who devalue the Scriptures in favor of their wisdom, will and traditions, Matt. 15:3, 7-9Bible authority is always attacked by those who devalue the Scriptures in favor of their wisdom, will and traditions, Matt. 15:3, 7-9 Some brethren scoff at “CENI”Some brethren scoff at “CENI” Necessary inference is under attack as a Scriptural way of establishing and applying binding authorityNecessary inference is under attack as a Scriptural way of establishing and applying binding authority Don’t mistake a personal scruple as a NI and then bind it on othersDon’t mistake a personal scruple as a NI and then bind it on others 2

3 Necessary Inference “That which, though neither expressly stated nor specifically exemplified, [yet] is necessarily implied by the clear import and meaning of the language used.” -Walking by Faith, Cogdill, 14 -Walking by Faith, Cogdill, 14

Judge what is Right Luke 12:57 Jesus expects us to judge what is rightJesus expects us to judge what is right Draw necessary (correct) inferences from the evidence presented (12:54-56)Draw necessary (correct) inferences from the evidence presented (12:54-56) From what the word of God saysFrom what the word of God says 4

Bible Rules Governing Necessary Inferences Necessary inference (NI) is judging righteous judgment based on revealed truth, Jno. 7:24Necessary inference (NI) is judging righteous judgment based on revealed truth, Jno. 7:24 NI must be deduced from what God has spoken in Scripture, Matt. 22:31-32 (29)NI must be deduced from what God has spoken in Scripture, Matt. 22:31-32 (29) Every inference in not a necessary inference, Jno. 21:20-23Every inference in not a necessary inference, Jno. 21:20-23 Not from subjective sources (feelings, scruples of conscience), Acts 26:9; 23:1Not from subjective sources (feelings, scruples of conscience), Acts 26:9; 23:1 5

6 Bible Rules Governing Necessary Inferences NI harmonizes with all that is revealed and known to be true, 2 Peter 3:4-9NI harmonizes with all that is revealed and known to be true, 2 Peter 3:4-9 Some said the Lord is not returning:Some said the Lord is not returning: Inferred everything always the same (3:4)Inferred everything always the same (3:4) Their inference was flawed because…Their inference was flawed because… They willfully failed to take into account the flood (3:5-7) and the nature of God (3:8-9)They willfully failed to take into account the flood (3:5-7) and the nature of God (3:8-9) Walked in lust, 3:3; Jno. 7:16-17Walked in lust, 3:3; Jno. 7:16-17 Flawed inference leads to false teaching!Flawed inference leads to false teaching!

7 NI is the only conclusion that can be inferred from what is statedNI is the only conclusion that can be inferred from what is stated “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” Genesis 1:1“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” Genesis 1:1 Necessarily infer that God existed before creation – although not directly statedNecessarily infer that God existed before creation – although not directly stated The only possible conclusion to infer from what is saidThe only possible conclusion to infer from what is said Bible Rules Governing Necessary Inferences

8 NI is the only conclusion that can be inferred from what is statedNI is the only conclusion that can be inferred from what is stated Lot went to Egypt with Abram (Gen. 12:10; 13:1) – Not directly statedLot went to Egypt with Abram (Gen. 12:10; 13:1) – Not directly stated Lot went to Haran with Abram, Gen. 11:31Lot went to Haran with Abram, Gen. 11:31 Lot went into Canaan with Abram, Gen. 12:5Lot went into Canaan with Abram, Gen. 12:5 Abram went into Egypt, Gen. 12:10Abram went into Egypt, Gen. 12:10 Lot came out of Egypt with Abram, Gen. 13:1Lot came out of Egypt with Abram, Gen. 13:1 Only possible conclusion from what is saidOnly possible conclusion from what is said Bible Rules Governing Necessary Inferences

9 NI is the only conclusion that can be inferred from what is statedNI is the only conclusion that can be inferred from what is stated “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water…” Matthew 3:16“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water…” Matthew 3:16 We necessarily infer that Jesus went down into the water before He “came up immediately from the water”We necessarily infer that Jesus went down into the water before He “came up immediately from the water” Bible Rules Governing Necessary Inferences

10 NI is a conclusion (judgment) inferred from what is known, Lk. 12:54-57NI is a conclusion (judgment) inferred from what is known, Lk. 12:54-57 When they saw “a cloud rising out of the west” they correctly inferred “a shower is coming”, 12:54When they saw “a cloud rising out of the west” they correctly inferred “a shower is coming”, 12:54 When they “saw the south wind blow” they correctly inferred “there will be hot weather”, 12:55When they “saw the south wind blow” they correctly inferred “there will be hot weather”, 12:55 They should have inferred who Jesus was! 12:56-57They should have inferred who Jesus was! 12:56-57 Bible Rules Governing Necessary Inferences

11 NI is a conclusion (judgment) inferred from what is known, Lk. 12:54-57NI is a conclusion (judgment) inferred from what is known, Lk. 12:54-57 John 3:2: Nicodemus n ecessarily inferred Jesus was a “teacher come from God”:John 3:2: Nicodemus n ecessarily inferred Jesus was a “teacher come from God”: Miracles of Jesus (signs)Miracles of Jesus (signs) Miracles only happen by the power and presence of GodMiracles only happen by the power and presence of God He necessarily inferred God had sent Jesus and was with JesusHe necessarily inferred God had sent Jesus and was with Jesus Bible Rules Governing Necessary Inferences

12 NI is a conclusion (judgment) inferred from what is known, Lk. 12:54-57NI is a conclusion (judgment) inferred from what is known, Lk. 12:54-57 John 9:29-33: Blind man Jesus healedJohn 9:29-33: Blind man Jesus healed God does not hear sinnersGod does not hear sinners Miracle of sight meant God heard this man (Jesus)Miracle of sight meant God heard this man (Jesus) Necessarily inferred Jesus is from GodNecessarily inferred Jesus is from God Bible Rules Governing Necessary Inferences

13 Using Necessary Inferences NI is a proper and decisive way to establish Bible authorityNI is a proper and decisive way to establish Bible authority Authority not to bind circumcision on Gentiles for salvation is based on necessary inference, Acts 15:12Authority not to bind circumcision on Gentiles for salvation is based on necessary inference, Acts 15:12 Authority to eat the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week is based on necessary inference, Acts 20:7Authority to eat the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week is based on necessary inference, Acts 20:7

14 Using Necessary Inferences NI is a proper and decisive way to establish Bible authorityNI is a proper and decisive way to establish Bible authority Authority for remarriage is based on necessary inference, Matt. 19:9Authority for remarriage is based on necessary inference, Matt. 19:9 When fornication is the cause of putting away one does not commit adultery in a remarriageWhen fornication is the cause of putting away one does not commit adultery in a remarriage No scriptural remarriage without NI!No scriptural remarriage without NI!

15 Do Not Confuse NI with Personal Scruples Some NI that bind truth on us:Some NI that bind truth on us: Preach salvation by faith, Acts 15:12Preach salvation by faith, Acts 15:12 Existence of God, Rom. 1:20Existence of God, Rom. 1:20 Jesus is the Son of God, Jno. 20:30-31Jesus is the Son of God, Jno. 20:30-31 Resurrection of the dead, Matt. 22:31-32Resurrection of the dead, Matt. 22:31-32 Frequency of Lord’s supper, Acts 20:7Frequency of Lord’s supper, Acts 20:7 Innocent right to remarry, Matt. 19:9Innocent right to remarry, Matt. 19:9 Personal scruples of conscience are not to be bound, Rom. 14:1Personal scruples of conscience are not to be bound, Rom. 14:1

16 Necessary Inferences Necessary inferences establish Bible authorityNecessary inferences establish Bible authority We must properly handle God’s word to draw the necessary inferences, 2 Tim. 2:15We must properly handle God’s word to draw the necessary inferences, 2 Tim. 2:15 We succeed by carefully holding to the revealed word of Christ without speculation, opinions and “disputes and arguments over words” that are divisive and useless, 1 Tim. 6:3-5We succeed by carefully holding to the revealed word of Christ without speculation, opinions and “disputes and arguments over words” that are divisive and useless, 1 Tim. 6:3-5