[By Ron Halbrook]

Introduction: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive salvation 2

3 Matt. 28: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

4 Introduction: 2. T o understand & apply the authority of Christ: I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture II. Authority of Christ as Savior III. Authority of Christ in Local Church

II. Authority of Christ as Savior A. The Perfect & Only Savior Supreme Sacrifice for Sinners 5

6 Rom. 5: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

II. Authority of Christ as Savior A. The Perfect & Only Savior No Other Savior 7 Acts 4:12 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

II. Authority of Christ as Savior B. Saved in Submission to Him Men of All Nations Must Submit 8

9 Matt. 28: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

II. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things One Head Over One Body 10 Eph. 1: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

II. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things Universal Church: All Saved Individuals in Gospel Age 11 Eph. 4:4 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

II. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things Local Church: All Saved Individuals in One Place Bonded Together to Work & Worship 12 Acts 9:26 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

II. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things Local Church: All Saved Individuals in One Place Bonded Together to Work & Worship 13 Rom. 16:16 16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

II. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things Local Church: All Saved Individuals in One Place Bonded Together to Work & Worship 14 Eph. 4:11 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

II. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things Will Deliver His Kingdom to Heaven 15 1 Cor. 15:24 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission Preach the Gospel 16 1 Tim. 3:15 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission Worship God, Edify Saints 17 1 Cor. 14:26 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission Benevolence to Needy Saints 18 Acts 6:1 1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Benevolence to Needy Saints 19 Acts 11: And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship 1 st Day of the Week: Lord’s Supper 20 Acts 20:7 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship 1 st Day of the Week: Give 21 1 Cor. 16:2 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship Pray 22 Acts 2:42 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship Teach God’s Word 23 Acts 2:42 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship Sing 24 Eph. 5:19 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization Leadership: Elders (Presbyters), Pastors (Shepherds), Bishops (Overseers) 25 Acts 14:23 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Leadership: Elders (Presbyters), Pastors (Shepherds), Bishops (Overseers) 26 Acts 20:17, And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization Deacons Serve 27 Acts 6:2-3 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization Evangelists (Preachers) & Teachers Instruct 28 Eph. 4:11 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization All Saints Participate in Work & Worship 29 Phil. 1:1 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization Women Not Exercise Lead Over Men 30 1 Tim. 2:12 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization Each Local Church Independent, Autonomous (No “Mother” Church, No “Satellite” Church) 31 Acts 14:23 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization No Earthly Headquarters, No Central or Universal Organization 32

III. Authority of Christ in Local Church D. All Things We Preach & Practice Must Be Authorized by the New Testament Book, chapter, & verse General or specific terms Statement, example, or implication Divine silence forbids, excludes, & prohibits Speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silent Original church of Christ under his authority 33

Invitation: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive salvation 34

35 Matt. 28: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.