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2 APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY 1.The Apostles Had The Authority To Speak For The Lord Jesus Christ 2.Churches Were Set In Order By Apostolic Authority 3.The Apostles Taught The Same Things In All The Churches 4.First Century Christians Understood Apostolic Authority

3 Matt. 18:18 – “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” The Apostles’ Received Authority

4 Acts 2:41-42 – “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” The Apostles’ Received Authority

5 The Apostles Set the Churches in Order Titus 1:1-3 – “Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,… in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior…. For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking….”

6 1 Tim. 3:14-15 – “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” The Apostles Set the Churches in Order

7 2 Tim. 1:13 - “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” The Apostles Set the Churches in Order

8 I Cor. 4:17 – “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” The Apostles Taught the Same Things in All the Churches

9 I Cor. 16:1 – “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:” The Apostles Taught the Same Things in All the Churches

10 I Cor. 7:17 – “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.” The Apostles Taught the Same Things in All the Churches

11 I Cor. 11:16 – “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” The Apostles Taught the Same Things in All the Churches

12 2 Tim. 2:2 - “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” The Apostles Taught the Same Things in All the Churches

13 1Tim. 6:3-4 – “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing….” The Apostles Taught the Same Things in All the Churches

14 The First Century Church Leaders Understood Apostolic Authority I Clement 42:1-2 (circa 95 AD) “The Apostles received the Gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ was sent forth from God. So then Christ is from God, and the Apostles are from Christ. Both therefore came of the will of God in the appointed order.”

15 The First Century Church Leaders Understood Apostolic Authority I Clement 7:1-2 (circa 95 AD) “These things, dearly beloved, we write, not only as admonishing you, but also as putting ourselves in remembrance. For we are in the same lists, and the same contest awaits us. Wherefore let us forsake idle and vain thoughts; and let us conform to the glorious and venerable rule which hath been handed down to us; and let us see what is good and what is pleasant and what is acceptable in the sight of Him that made us.

16 APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY 1.The Apostles Had The Authority To Speak For The Lord Jesus Christ 2.Churches Were Set In Order By Apostolic Authority 3.The Apostles Taught The Same Things In All The Churches 4.First Century Christians Understood Apostolic Authority 5.True Unity Among Christians Can Only Be Obtained By Respecting the Apostolic Pattern

17 Respect For God’s Authority 1 Cor. 14:37-38 “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him understand that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”

18 “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Respect For God’s Authority 1 Peter 4:11

19 “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.” Respect For God’s Authority 1 Corinthians 4:6

20 “Observe to do according to all the law…” (1:7) “Do not turn from it…” (1:7) “Meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written…” (1:8) “…prosperous…God is with you…” (1:8-9) Respect For God’s Authority Joshua 1:5-9

21 God’s Instructions Are Not To Be Added To Or Taken Away From Deuteronomy 4:1-2Deuteronomy 4:1-2 Deuteronomy 12:32Deuteronomy 12:32 Proverbs 30:5-6Proverbs 30:5-6 Revelation 22:18-19Revelation 22: Timothy 1:132 Timothy 1:13

The “New Evangelicalism” Modern-day liberalism is characterized by: 1.exalting love and so-called “unity” above doctrine 2.a judge-not philosophy; a repudiation of separation and replacement of it with dialogue 3.a love for positivism, by a repudiation of the more negative aspects of biblical Christianity (e.g., sin, hell) 4.dividing biblical truth into categories of important and not important 5.a mood of softness, a desire for a less strict Christianity 6.exalting social-political activity to the same level as the Great Commission 7.a weariness with spiritual warfare for truth 8.a disdain for doctrinal controversy 9.a desire for intellectual respectability, by pride of scholarship 10.an attitude of anti-fundamentalism

23 Liberalism: What is it? “not strict: loose… BROAD-MINDED; especially: not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms” (Merriam-Webster) Liberalism takes a loose construction on law in order to provide the highest level of freedom. Jer. 6:16 - Thus says the L ORD : “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

24 Historic Divisions General Benev. Recreation Women Leaders Entertainment Institutions Spons. Ch. Churches of Christ PoliticalWorks, Rituals Instr. Music Head Bishops Pope Early Church WorkGospel/WorshipOrganization PoliticalFaith Only Once Saved DenominationsReformation Social GospelInstr. MusicMissionary Society Restoration

25 “Is the activity or methodology under contemplation consistent with the person and work of Jesus Christ? If we do this, will the people who see it think we reveal Christ? Will we be doing what people would expect to see Christ doing in this situation?” (Rubel Shelly & Randall J. Harris, The Second Incarnation, p. 19) The “New” Liberal Approach

26 “This principle has broad consequences for ecclesiology. It says, for example, that the church need not have either explicit mandate or permission for everything it wishes to do. The church may confidently ground its activities of compassion and service in the character of its head.” (Ibid., p. 29) The “New” Liberal Approach

27 “To require Bible authority for everything we teach and practice is legalistic, not spiritual.” The “New” Liberal Approach

28 Who Is “Spiritual”? Those who love, respect and obey God! John 14:15 – “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” 1 John 2:4-5 - “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected.” 1 John 5:3 - “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.”

29 Who Is “Spiritual”? Those who love, respect and obey God! 1 Cor. 14:37-38 – “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him understand that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment, But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”

30 Who Is “Spiritual”? Those who love, respect and obey God! Mark 12:29-30 – “Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”

31 Who Is “Spiritual”? Those who love, respect and obey God! Eccl. 12:13-14 – “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.”

32 What Would Jesus Do? He would love, respect and obey His Father! Mark 14:36 – “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” Heb. 5:8 – “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” John 4:34: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 8:29: “The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

33 Liberalism: “It’s no big deal” “and there is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom. 3:18) “Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble in My presence?” (Jer. 5:22)

34 Liberalism Minimizes… Authority & Absolute Truth John 8:31-32 The Need For Obedience Matt. 7:21; John 14:15 The Reality of Sin 1 John 3:4

35 Liberalism Maximizes… Self Judges 21:25 Feelings 1 Kings 12:33 Rationalization Matt. 19:8-9

36 Liberalism does not Tremble before God, Psa. 99:1-3 In awe of His majesty In recognition of His rule In reverence for His word In worship of His holiness Even though His voice shakes heaven & earth (Heb. 12:26-29)

37 Liberalism: “It’s no big deal” When we do not speak as the oracles of God, 1 Pet. 4:11 When we are not careful to do all things in the name of the Lord, Col. 3:17 When we disregard the commandments of the Lord, 1 Cor. 14:37-38 It’s a “big deal” to God!

38 Liberalism Gets Upset Over A Sermon Like This! Isaiah 30:10 - Who say to the seers,“Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.”

Joshua 24: “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

40 Will You Obey Jesus Christ? Hear the Gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24) Repent of Your Sins (Acts 17:30) Confess that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37) Be Baptized for Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38) Live Faithfully until You Die (Rev. 2:10)