Know Your Bible Series Matthew 21:23 - Matthew 28:18-20 AUTHORITY

Matthew 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Introduction The concept of respecting and obeying authority is lost in today’s world In this lesson, we will look at what the Bible teaches about authority and the essentiality of living within the authority of God What is specific authority? What is generic authority? How do we go about establishing Bible authority for what we do today? What is an “aid” versus an “addition” Can’t we just be sincere and not worry about this authority business?

Young’s & Strong’s Exhaustive Concordances Young’s & Strong’s Exhaustive Concordances Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words Thayer’s Greek Lexicon Thayer’s Greek Lexicon “Biblical Authority” by Ferrell Jenkins “Biblical Authority” by Ferrell Jenkins “By What Authority?” by Maurice Barnett “By What Authority?” by Maurice Barnett Cogdill-Woods Debate; Ward-Brooks Debate Cogdill-Woods Debate; Ward-Brooks Debate “Hermeneutics” by Duggin “Hermeneutics” by Duggin “When Is An ‘Example’ Binding?” by Thomas B. Warren “When Is An ‘Example’ Binding?” by Thomas B. Warren “Old Issues Do Not Fade Away” by Gene Frost “Old Issues Do Not Fade Away” by Gene Frost Bibliography

“The Glory and the Blasphemy” by Lynn Headrick “The Glory and the Blasphemy” by Lynn Headrick “Restudying the Issues of the ’50s and ’60s” by Bill Hall “Restudying the Issues of the ’50s and ’60s” by Bill Hall “A Church Divided” by Wayne Jackson “A Church Divided” by Wayne Jackson “A Brother at our Door” by Al Diestelcamp (review of above) “A Brother at our Door” by Al Diestelcamp (review of above) Bibliography (con’t)

Important Terms and Definitions Authority & In the name of the Lord Authority & In the name of the Lord By faith By faith Exclusive, limiting Exclusive, limiting Specific authority Specific authority Generic authority Generic authority Aids or lawful expedients vs. Additions Aids or lawful expedients vs. Additions Silence of the Scriptures Silence of the Scriptures Precepts, direct statements, commands, approved examples, accounts of action, necessary inferences, unavoidable conclusions Precepts, direct statements, commands, approved examples, accounts of action, necessary inferences, unavoidable conclusions

Authority The right or power to command or act The right or power to command or act The Godhead (i.e. Deity), by virtue of being the Creator…has the “right or power to command or act” The Godhead (i.e. Deity), by virtue of being the Creator…has the “right or power to command or act” Jesus spoke of “all power in heaven and in earth” being given to Him in Matthew 28:18 Jesus spoke of “all power in heaven and in earth” being given to Him in Matthew 28:18 Jesus also spoke of the power granted to the apostles to perform miracles (cf Mt. 10; Mk. 16:20) and preach/teach under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14,15,16; Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-20) Jesus also spoke of the power granted to the apostles to perform miracles (cf Mt. 10; Mk. 16:20) and preach/teach under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14,15,16; Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-20) There is inherent authority and delegated authority; but, in spiritual matters, we cannot usurp deity’s authority! There is inherent authority and delegated authority; but, in spiritual matters, we cannot usurp deity’s authority!

Keeping it Simple… Those doing the will of the Father… Those who practice law-lessness… MATTHEW 7:21-23

John 8:31 “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed.” Jesus taught the essentiality of following His Word. He has the authority (Mt. 28:18-20) in heaven and in earth. We are to obey Him (Acts 5:32). If we are NOT abiding in the Word, we are not obeying Him!

Colossians 3:17 “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Whatever we do, as individuals or as the local church, we should do with the authority (permission) of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Activities fall in only 1 of 3 areas… 1. Mandatory OR 2. Optional 3. Forbidden Authorized & Unauthorized

Establishing Authority “Go to the store and get me some food” “Go to the store and get me some food” “Get on your red bike and go to the nearest Winn Dixie and bring me back only: one loaf of WonderBread (white), one 12 oz jar of Smuckers Grape Jelly & one 12 oz jar of Jiff Creamy Peanut Butter.” “Get on your red bike and go to the nearest Winn Dixie and bring me back only: one loaf of WonderBread (white), one 12 oz jar of Smuckers Grape Jelly & one 12 oz jar of Jiff Creamy Peanut Butter.” There is specific and generic authority in BOTH the statements about…wherein the specifics are given…other alternatives are excluded…wherein generics are found…liberty exists to do what is authorized by means of aids/expedients to accomplish the authorized task There is specific and generic authority in BOTH the statements about…wherein the specifics are given…other alternatives are excluded…wherein generics are found…liberty exists to do what is authorized by means of aids/expedients to accomplish the authorized task

Cogdill-Woods Debate, p. 14

The Perfect Law of Liberty Jas 1:25; 2:12 The New Covenant

The Perfect Law of Liberty Jas 1:25; 2:12 Committing Transgression Trespass I Jn 3:4 Action not in the doctrine of Christ The New Covenant

The Perfect Law of Liberty Jas 1:25; 2:12 Committing Transgression Trespass I Jn 3:4 Action not in the doctrine of Christ Violating Conscience I Cor 8; Rom 14 The New Covenant

The Perfect Law of Liberty Jas 1:25; 2:12 Committing Transgression Trespass I Jn 3:4 Action not in the doctrine of Christ Omitting Jas 4:17 Lk 10:30-37 Mt 25 Violating Conscience I Cor 8; Rom 14 The New Covenant

LIGHT DARKNESS Psalm 119:105 I John 1:6-9 Light & Darkness Principle

Sin & The Need for Biblical Authority Know the Bible Study Series Studies in the Scriptures – Part 2

Biblical Authority… Is it Essential? John 14:26;16:13 I Peter 4:11 2 Tim 3:16,17 Colossians 3:17 1 Thess 2:13 2 Tim 2:15 Matthew 15:9 apostles guided into all truth speak as the oracles of God Scriptures are all we need by the authority of Jesus the truth, the Word of God rightly divide the word of truth vain worship=doctrines of men Does man have the God-given authority to make any religious decisions apart from Scripture?

The Peanut Butter Concept… Preaching fits my lifestyle What will it cost me? Good “social programs” Beautiful building Pretty grounds Does man have the God-given authority to pick and choose a church based on any authority other than Scripture? Preach God’s truth regardless What does GOD want? Scriptural in teaching/practice Less regard to physical bldg Less regard to landscaping Shopping for a church???

Authority… Why is divine authority needed? Mt 21:23 – A fair question Mt 21:23 – A fair question Prov 14:12 – Man needs assistance Prov 14:12 – Man needs assistance Jer 10:23 – Man cannot direct his steps Jer 10:23 – Man cannot direct his steps Jas 1:21 – God’s word saves souls Jas 1:21 – God’s word saves souls Psa 119:105 – We need divine illumination Psa 119:105 – We need divine illumination 2 John 9 – respect the limits of God’s word includes respecting where God is silent 2 John 9 – respect the limits of God’s word includes respecting where God is silent Are we willing to really speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent?

Ways God does NOT authorize: ON THE BASIS OF: - What some well-known teacher may believe/teach - My personal likes or dislikes - What pleases me - Erroneous conclusions man may reach - Opinions of mine or of others - What is popular - Some consensus or vote - Human traditions - My inability to “see any harm in it” - Long standing practices - The silence of the Scriptures

Authority… How is authority expressed? Some folks take “red letters” only Some folks take “red letters” only Others say “commands” only Others say “commands” only Is that true? Is that true? Precept/direct statement/commands Precept/direct statement/commands Examples/accounts of action (approved/disapproved) Examples/accounts of action (approved/disapproved) Necessary inference/unavoidable conclusion Necessary inference/unavoidable conclusion Authority is expressed the same way in all walks of life including spiritual and secular activities.

Authority… A closer look We may only proceed wherein God has authorized us We may only proceed wherein God has authorized us Col 3:17 “whatsoever” means “whatsoever” Col 3:17 “whatsoever” means “whatsoever” 2 Pet 1:3 – we have all things that pertain to “life” AND “godliness” (not just spiritual) 2 Pet 1:3 – we have all things that pertain to “life” AND “godliness” (not just spiritual) Everything we do (spiritual OR secular) should be authorized by God Everything we do (spiritual OR secular) should be authorized by God Silence does NOT permit/authorize Silence does NOT permit/authorize

Authority… Respecting the Silence of God Numbers 9 – “wait” for the word of GOD Numbers 9 – “wait” for the word of GOD Gen 6 – Noah and all the things “God didn’t say not to” Gen 6 – Noah and all the things “God didn’t say not to” 2 Kings 5 – Naaman & specific authority vs all the things “God didn’t say not to” 2 Kings 5 – Naaman & specific authority vs all the things “God didn’t say not to” Heb 7:14 – things which God spake nothing of (see the significance???) Heb 7:14 – things which God spake nothing of (see the significance???) Consider the written Word today a “closed universe” of instruction at God’s bidding Consider the written Word today a “closed universe” of instruction at God’s bidding

Authority… Respecting the Silence of God Acts 15:24 – gave no commandment Acts 15:24 – gave no commandment Jas 1:22-25 – perfect law of liberty Jas 1:22-25 – perfect law of liberty Jude 3 – once for all delivered Jude 3 – once for all delivered Gal 1:6-9 – one gospel Gal 1:6-9 – one gospel 2 John 9-11 – the doctrine of Christ 2 John 9-11 – the doctrine of Christ Rev 22:18-19 – not to add to, take away Rev 22:18-19 – not to add to, take away I Peter 4:11 – speak the AS oracles of God I Peter 4:11 – speak the AS oracles of God Rom 10:17 – walk by faith demands only wherein God has spoken Rom 10:17 – walk by faith demands only wherein God has spoken We cannot do something “by faith” if there is no authority from God’s Word on the topic.

Authority… Respecting the Silence of God Wherein God is silent, we have no permission to proceed (red light) Wherein God is silent, we have no permission to proceed (red light) Wherein God has authorized, we have the “green light” to proceed. Wherein God has authorized, we have the “green light” to proceed. Are we able and willing to provide positive Bible authority for individual and church action that we believe is scriptural and that we endorse?

Authority… Generic Authority vs. Specific Authority GO in Mt 28:18-20 is generic…Why? GO in Mt 28:18-20 is generic…Why? THE GOSPEL in Mk 16:15 is specific…Why? THE GOSPEL in Mk 16:15 is specific…Why? First day of the week in both Acts 20 and I Cor 16 are specific…Why? First day of the week in both Acts 20 and I Cor 16 are specific…Why? Gopher wood is specific…Why? Gopher wood is specific…Why? Priests from the tribe of Levi under the Old Law is specific…Why? Priests from the tribe of Levi under the Old Law is specific…Why?

Sin defined… I Jn 3:4 = a trespass, a transgression I Jn 3:4 = a trespass, a transgression Law-lessness (anomos) without law Law-lessness (anomos) without law Jas 4:17 = neglect, failure to act, omission Jas 4:17 = neglect, failure to act, omission Violate your own conscience – Rom 14 Violate your own conscience – Rom 14 Violate the conscience of another in a liberty – I Cor 8 Violate the conscience of another in a liberty – I Cor 8

The Perfect Law of Liberty Jas 1:25; 2:12 Committing Transgression Trespass Action not in the doctrine of Christ Omitting Jas 4:17 Lk 10:30-37 Violating Conscience I Cor 8; Rom 14 The New Covenant

LIGHT DARKNESS Psalm 119:105 I John 1:6-9 Light & Darkness Principle

Psalm 119:160 John 8:31,32 The Sum of God’s Word Principle The SUM of thy Word is Truth Psalm 119: =6 7 is incorrect; it is Beyond the right sum 5 is incorrect; it falls Short of the right sum Many teachers are requiring more or less than God’s Word on salvation!!!

Conclusion… It has always been wrong to change God’s Word It has always been wrong to change God’s Word Devil in the Garden of Eden – Gen 3 Devil in the Garden of Eden – Gen 3 Deut 4:2 – not to add to or diminish from Deut 4:2 – not to add to or diminish from Gal 1:6-9 – not to teach another gospel Gal 1:6-9 – not to teach another gospel Man, the “creature”, simply does not have the “authority” (right to act) to change what God has determined to be His will in any matter (religious or secular)! Man, the “creature”, simply does not have the “authority” (right to act) to change what God has determined to be His will in any matter (religious or secular)!