Is The New Testament Worthy Of Our Confidence? YES! Let Me Tell You Why

Authority Revealed God Christ Holy Spirit Apostles New Testament Primary Delegated Revealing Ambassador Written

God: Primary Authority Authority: The right or power to compel thought or action It begins with God “In the beginning God …” Gen. 1:1

God: Primary Authority Omnipotent – All Powerful Omniscience – All Knowing Omnipresent – All Present

God: Primary Authority The God Paul Preached Acts 17:22-28

Jesus: Delegated Authority Christ has “all power” or “all authority” in Heaven and on Earth. Matt 28:18 “There is one lawgiver who is able to save and destroy; who art thou that judgest another.” Jam 4:12

Jesus: Delegated Authority Executive – Legislative – Judicial King Lawmaker Judge

Hebrews 1:1-2 1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Acts 3:22-23 22For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

He brought it from Heaven! John 1:1,14 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. He brought it from Heaven!

John 7:16 16Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

John 12:49-50 49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Holy Spirit: Revealing Authority The Holy Spirit is one of the Godhead The Holy Spirit is the Divine means by which the Will of Christ was made known to man.

Holy Spirit: Revealing Authority The Holy Spirit is one of the Godhead Man could not probe the mind of God, but the Holy Spirit could.

Holy Spirit: Revealing Authority The Holy Spirit is one of the Godhead The Spirit could search all things, even the, “deep things of God.” (1 Cor 2:10)

John 14:26 26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13-15 13Howbeit 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 show you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.

Apostles: Ambassadorial Authority The Apostles (one sent) were chosen of God as instruments through which the Will of Christ would be made known to the human race.

Apostles: Ambassadorial Authority They were not “supermen.” In fact, they were very ordinary men who could make mistakes in their lives.

Apostles: Ambassadorial Authority The thing that sets them apart is that they were guided by the Holy Spirit and could make no mistake when preaching or writing the Divine revelation.

Ephesians 3:3-5 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

The Divine Process: Eph 3:3-5

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. …

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 … 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

New Testament: Written Authority God chose to have His Word spoken and written. The Righteousness of God for man is set forth in this written Word. (Rom 1:17)

New Testament: Written Authority Ways we learn from the Word: Commands, facts, precepts, statements Divine examples, Apostolic approval Necessary inference

New Testament: Written Authority If the New Testament was revealed by fallible men, how can it be an infallible revelation? Revelation Inspiration Made Known Eph 3:3-5 God Breathed 1 Cor 2:10-13

Consider The Completeness 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Doctrine – Reproof – Correction – Instruction - Unto All Good Works -

Consider The Completeness 2 Peter 1:3 3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Life - Godliness

“Once” – hapax “Once for all” (Thayer) The Final Revelation … “ …ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) “Once” – hapax “Once for all” (Thayer)

Must Never Be Altered Galatians 1:8 8But 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.

Must Never Be Altered 2 John 9 9Whosoever 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.

It Is Indestructible 1 Peter 1:23, 25 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. … 25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

It Is Indestructible Mark 13:31 31Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

We Will Be Judged By This Word John 12:48 48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

It is the inspired Word of God and it is worthy of your Confidence! The New Testament It is the inspired Word of God and it is worthy of your Confidence!

Reveals the following concerning salvation: The New Testament Reveals the following concerning salvation: Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

HAVE YOU BEEN WILLING TO OBEY IT?