8/30/20151 A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY Part 6

8/30/20152 A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY THE TWO COVENANTS The next important question is: what part or parts of the Bible can used to direct our lives today? 1. We will need to understand the two major covenants (testaments), and which writings of the Bible fall under each one. 2. We will also have to make a distinction between the plan of salvation and the moral principles which are characteristic of God's people in all times.

8/30/20153 A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY EXPLANATION OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS / COVENANTS. A. A testament or covenant is a statement of the will of the one who makes it. 1. The covenant must contain specific information about the parties involved, the requirements and obligations of each party, and the results which can be expected from keeping or not keeping it.

8/30/ In both the Old and New Testaments God specified the terms and imposed His will upon those to be included in the covenant or excluded.

8/30/20155 A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY EXPLANATION OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS / COVENANTS. 3. Man can decide for himself whether or not he will accept the terms of the covenant and abide by them. But man cannot change any part of the covenant. a. If one accepts the covenant and submits to its requirements, he has fellowship with God, and can expect to receive all the blessings and benefits specified in the covenant.

8/30/20156 b. If one rejects the covenant, he loses all blessings and benefits of it. c. If one departs from the covenant he once accepted, he forfeits all blessings and benefits previously enjoyed. Ezekiel 18:21-24, Hebrews 6:1-8

8/30/20157 A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY EXPLANATION OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS / COVENANTS. B. We recognise and refer to two major testaments or covenants of God with man, and they are significantly different. 1. By "Old Testament" we refer to God's arrangement with the Jews. a. It is called the Law (of Moses and the prophets). John 1:17; 7:23, Matthew 5:17, etc.

8/30/20158 b. It is summarised in the ten commandments. Exodus 34:27-28, 1 King 8-9 and 21, Jeremiah 31: It contains the plan of salvation, the activities of worship, and the laws regulating social relationships, etc, for the Jewish people Read Leviticus.

8/30/20159 A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY EXPLANATION OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS / COVENANTS. 2. By "New Testament" we mean God's arrangement or agreement with the whole world through Jesus Christ. It is a greater and better covenant than the Old Testament. Hebrews 8

8/30/ a.Better law. Hebrews 7:12, 19, 24; b.Better sacrifice (provision for removal of sin). Hebrews 8:7-8, 9:23, 10:1-14; c.Better Mediator. Hebrews 8:1-6; d. Better priesthood Hebrews 7:11; 20-28;, and 4:l4-l6 e. Better promises and better hope. Hebrews 8-6; 6:13-20

8/30/ A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY EXPLANATION OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS / COVENANTS. f. The old was temporary, but the new is permanent and final. Hebrews 9:10; 8:13; 13:20; g. The old was limited to the nation of Israel, the Jews. But the new is universal. All persons in the world are included in the offer God makes under the New Testament. Romans 1:16-17;

8/30/ h. There is greater punishment for neglect and abuse or disobedience under the New Testament Hebrews 2:1-4; 10:26-29

8/30/ The New Testament contains the plan of salvation, the activities of worship, and the laws regulating social relationships, etc, for CHRISTIANS Today

8/30/ A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY EXPLANATION OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS / COVENANTS. C. Two or more contradictory or mutually exclusive covenants cannot be in force at the same time for the same people Hebrews 8:13; 10: Note that the Old Testament law was fulfilled. Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44:, then abolished (Ephesians 2:15), blotted out...nailed to the cross Colossians 2:14; and taken away Hebrews 10:9

8/30/ We are bound to God by the New Covenant /Testament, and our lives must conform to the commandments of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-2, Matthew 17-,5 and , John 12:48; 1 Corinthians 9-21, Hebrews 5:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6 and 5:19-20

8/30/ Nothing is to be gained by being faithful to a law that is no longer in force, or by expecting the fulfillment of promises that have been fulfilled and /or withdrawn.

8/30/ A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY EXPLANATION OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS / COVENANTS. D. Which writings are New Testament and which are Old Testament? 1. No doubt about the books of what is called the Old Testament division of our Bible -- Genesis to Malachi. They were written by and applied to people under the old covenant that God made with the Jews.

8/30/ There is no doubt about Acts to Revelation in what we call the New Testament division of our Bible. They were written by and applied to people under the new covenant of God with the world through Christ. 3.But what about the four "gospels” Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?

8/30/ A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY EXPLANATION OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS / COVENANTS. a. The old Testament or Covenant was still in effect during the lifetime of Jesus Christ, and continued actually until the day of Pentecost after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Acts l-2

8/30/ b. The best way to classify these books is to call them "transitional" -- they help to bridge the gap between Old Testament and New Testament. (1) They reflect the period during which the old law was still in effect, but was being phased out. (2) Preparation was being made for the new law – and many references are made to certain aspects of the coming church or kingdom of Jesus Christ.

8/30/ I. We have observed the different kinds of authority, the chain of authority, the different ways the Bible authorises, and the way we must respect His authority. 2. We have observed the major divisions of the Bible and the need to "rightly divide the word of God"

8/30/ A. Respect for biblical authority must be pre-eminent in all our lives. B. Respect for biblical authority must be pre-eminent in all the church. 3. Jesus simply and beautifully said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

8/30/ A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY EXPLANATION OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS / COVENANTS. IF WE ARE UNDER GODS NEW COVENANT TODAY WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WHAT DOES THAT INVOLVE?

8/30/ We need to ask what does the New Testament reveal about MAN'S relationship with GOD and what do WE need to do with regard to that relationship

8/30/ A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY SUMMARY The New Testament is the Guide for Christians today Excluded Sources of Authority Doctrines and practices of the Old Testament. Words of religious leaders. Creeds of men. Voice of an Angel Desires of the congregation. The elders of the local church.

30/08/ Biblical Authority From God JESUS IS ALIVE ! Through Jesus Through the apostles To the writings of New Testament