[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.

I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture A. How Is the Authority of Christ Expressed? Pope, president? Councils, conventions? Creeds? Traditions? Modern revelations? Dreams, visions? Emotions? 4

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture B. Only in Words: Scripture John 16:13 Christ’s promise to Apostles 5 Jn. 16:13 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture B. Only in Words: Scripture 1 Cor. 1:10; 2:13; 4:6 Apostles’ teaching 6 I Cor. 1:10 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture B. Only in Words: Scripture 1 Cor. 1:10; 2:13; 4:6 Apostles’ teaching 7 I Cor. 2:13 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture B. Only in Words: Scripture 1 Cor. 1:10; 2:13; 4:6 Apostles’ teaching 8 I Cor. 4:6 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture B. Only in Words: Scripture Gal. 1:8-9 No other message 9 Gal. 1:8-9 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture B. Only in Words: Scripture 2 John 9 Abide in Christ’s teaching 10 2 Jn. 9 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture B. Only in Words: Scripture Jude 3 Contend for the faith 11 Jude 3 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Bible words function in same way as all human language— no special theology 12

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Two kinds of terms: General: a class of things. “Go,” generic mode of travel 13 Mk. 16:15 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Two kinds of terms: Specific: one thing in a class. “First day” specifies one 14 Acts 20:7 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them…

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Two kinds of terms: As in all normal language:  Generic: request “food”  Specific: request “rice” 15

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: Direct statement: believe, baptized, saved 16 Mk. 16:16 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: Approved example: met on “first day,” Paul approved & participated 17 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.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: Necessary implication: speaker implies, hearer infers or concludes. “Went up…out of the water” implies “went down into the water” 18 Matt. 3:16 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water…

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: As in all normal language: at school  Direct statement: names, dates, places  Approved example: math exercises  Necessary implication: apple falling implies gravity, what goes up… 19

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: As in all normal language: at home  Direct statement: clean your room  Approved example: tie shoe strings  Necessary implication: “dinner is ready” implies “come & eat” 20

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: As in all normal language: in law  Direct statement: statutes  Approved example: common law  Necessary implication: rights imply duties (free speech, proper speech) 21

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: As in all normal language: debate in Acts 15 proves Gentiles saved by gospel, not Moses’ Law 22 Acts 15:5 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: As in all normal language: debate proves Gentiles saved by gospel  Direct statement: Amos 9 promised 23 Acts 15:17 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: As in all normal language: debate proves Gentiles saved by gospel  Approved example: Paul’s example 24 Acts 15:12 12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: As in all normal language: debate proves Gentiles saved by gospel  Necessary implication: Holy Spirit baptism confirmed day of salvation in Christ for Jew (Acts 2), same for Gentile (Acts 10) 25 Acts 15:8 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

C. How Do Words Communicate? Express thoughts in three ways: As in all normal language: debate proves Gentiles saved by gospel  No statement, example, or implication: God’s silence on binding Moses’ Law forbids! 26 Acts 15:24 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture 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 27

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

29 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.

[By Ron Halbrook]

Introduction: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive salvation 31

32 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.

I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture A. How Is the Authority of Christ Expressed? B. Only in Words: Scripture C. How Do Words Communicate? 33

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture 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 34

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture E. When God Is Specific Specific terms in Scripture function the same a s in all normal language:  Generic terms: include all things in a class (as food)  Specific terms: identify one thing in a class excluding all others (as rice) Observe this principle to abide under the authority of Christ 35

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture E. When God Is Specific 36 CLASSSPECIFICEXCLUDE WoodsGopher WoodAll Other Woods Gen. 6:14 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture E. When God Is Specific 37 CLASSSPECIFICEXCLUDE TribesLeviAll Other Tribes Heb. 7:14 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture E. When God Is Specific 38 CLASSSPECIFICEXCLUDE Action in WaterImmerseAll Other Actions Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture E. When God Is Specific 39 CLASSSPECIFICEXCLUDE MusicSingAll Other Music Eph. 5:19 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture E. When God Is Specific 40 CLASSSPECIFICEXCLUDE MusicSingAll Other Music Col. 3:16 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

41 CLASSSPECIFICEXCLUDE Divorced PeopleInnocent Put Away Guilty & Remarry All Other Cases Matt. 19:9 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions Commands in Scripture function the same a s in all normal language:  Aid: “give me rice” includes bag to carry it  Addition: “rice” excludes all other foods Observe this principle to abide under the authority of Christ 42

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions 43 COMMANDAIDSADDITIONS SingBooks, Lights Instrumental Music: Another Kind of Music Eph. 5:19 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions 44 COMMANDAIDSADDITIONS BaptizeBaptistrySprinkling: Another Kind of Action Matt. 28:19 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:

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions 45 COMMANDAIDSADDITIONS Assemble to Break Bread 1 st Day of Week Building, Seats, Heat Saturday: Another Day Acts 20:7 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them...

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions 46 COMMANDAIDSADDITIONS Church Preach the Gospel Radio, TV, Literature Missionary Society: Another Organization 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.

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions 47 COMMANDAIDSADDITIONS Church Relieve Destitute Saints Money, Food, Shelter Benevolent Society: Another Organization Acts 6:3 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.

F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions 48 COMMANDAIDSADDITIONS Church Edify Itself Classes, Workbooks Sunday School Society: Another Organization Eph. 4: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

I.Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture G. 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 49

Invitation: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive salvation 50

51 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.