2. Key passage on authority
Introduction
Two important concepts: Matt. 21:23-27
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Matthew 28:18
“And whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:17
Need for authority : “By what authority are You doing these things?”
Source of authority : “And who gave You this authority?”
Two sources of authority: Matt. 21:23-27
Divine authority : “From heaven”
Human authority : “from men”
Bible Authority

3. Hermeneutics Introduction
Hermeneutics is the science of interpreting commun-ication: Eph. 5:17; Acts 8:30, 34-35; 17:2-3
Three principles of establishing Bible authority: Acts 15; Col. 3:17
Direct statement : explicitly stated: Acts 15:13-17; Acts 17:30
Approved example : Christians acting with approval of Scripture: Acts 15:12; 20:7
Necessary inference : the only logical conclusion to be drawn: Acts 15:7-9; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7
Bible Authority

4. Colossians 3:17 Introduction Generic authority: Specific authority:
“applicable or referring to a whole class or group; general”
God’s command to Noah: “Make thee an ark.” Gen. 6:14
Specific authority:
“explicit, particular, or definite”
God’s command to Noah specified materials, dimensions & layout: Gen. 6:14-16
Bible Authority

5. Expedients Introduction 1 Corinthians 6:12
An expedient is simply “a means to an end.”
Expedients are options God permits us to choose that aid us in obeying His will.
Tools would be expedients to aid Noah obeying the command to “Make thee an ark” : Gen. 6:14
Expedients are only applicable when we already have divine authority.
We cannot add/subtract from God’s Word and claim they are expedients!
Song books & pitch pipe are expedients to “sing” ; but piano is an addition; a different kind of music.
Other examples: communion plates and cups or baptistry; but not Twinkies & Coca-Cola or sprinkling & pouring: 2 Jn. 9
Bible Authority

6. Silence of the Scriptures
Introduction
Two views on the silence of the Scriptures:
Liberal view : Silence grants liberty (Luther, denomina-tionalism).
Conservative view : Silence does not grant liberty (Zwingli, Restoration Movement): 1 Pet. 4:11
These two attitudes involved in every division of the church.
Late 19th/early 20th century: Missionary Society, instrumental music (Disciples of Christ, Christian Church).
Mid 20th century: institutionalism, social gospel, ‘food, fun, frolic.’
Liberal vs. conservative churches of Christ: division continues to this very day! Hos. 8:7
Bible Authority

7. Silence of the Scriptures
Introduction
Silence is a Bible principle:
Levitical priesthood: Jesus could not serve as a priest under the Law of Moses based on silence: Heb. 7:11-14
By specifying the tribe of Levi, all other tribes automat-ically eliminated/excluded!
Examples of the silence of the Scriptures:
Instrumental music : Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16
Earthly church headquarters : Col. 1:18; Heb. 1:3
Twinkies & Coca-Cola at Lord’s Supper : Matt. 26:26-28
Missionary society : 1 Tim. 3:15
Pouring or sprinkling for baptism : Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:4
Extended oversight of elders : 1 Pet. 5:2; Acts 20:28
Bible Authority

8. Silence of the Scriptures
Introduction
Silence of the Scriptures
Forbids!
Only one exception:
When the Bible gives authority to do something, but is silent about methods, tools, etc.; we can use expedients.
The Bible is silent about:
Lord’s Supper : Plates & cups
Singing : Song books, pitch pipe
Assemble : Building, water fountain, rest rooms
Preach/teach : Chalk board, powerpoint, sound system
Even though the Bible is silent on these things; they are authorized as expedients because we have Bible authority established by direct command, approved example, or necessary inference.
Bible Authority

9. God’s plan of work for the church
Introduction
God’s plan of work
for the church
Three-fold work of the church:
Evangelism: 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Thess. 1:6-8
Edification: Eph. 4:15-16
Benevolence: Acts 4:34-35; 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2
Much division over the work of the church:
Evangelism: missionary society, sponsoring church, carnal inducements
Edification: church-sponsored social meals, recreation, secular educational institutions
Benevolence: general benevolence from church treasury, as an aid to evangelism, church-supported benevolent institutions (e.g., orphan’s homes)
Bible Authority

10. Introduction 1st Century Evangelism Divine authority for this work:
Direct statement: 1 Tim. 3:15
Approved example: Acts 11:22-24; 13:1-3; 15:36; Phil. 4:15-16; 1 Thess. 1:8
How work done: Rom. 10:14-15; Acts 5:42; 9:20, 22, 26, 29; Acts 8:4, 5
Definite pattern for NT evangelism:
No missionary society! 2 Jn. 9; 1 Pet. 5:3; Acts 20:28
No sponsoring church! 2 Jn. 9; 1 Pet. 5:3; Acts 20:28
Support sent directly to preacher! Phil. 4:14-16; 2 Cor. 11:8
Bible Authority

11. Our Need for Authority Introduction
We must not trifle with divine authority, even if the results are ‘good,’ we disrespect God!
“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”
2 John 9
Forewarned is forearmed: Sooner or later we will be confronted with brethren unwilling to abide by divine authority.
Bible Authority

12. The Authority of Jesus Christ:
Bible Authority:
Lesson 9
The Authority of Jesus Christ:
The Work of the Church
(Part 2): Edification
Ephesians 4:11-16

13. 1. What is edification? Edification part of God’s plan for work
of the church
Initial obedience to the gospel is only the first step on the road to heaven.
We must grow in the faith; this involves edification: Matt. 28:19-20
Spiritual growth:
Individual responsibility: Phil. 2:12; 2 Pet. 1:3-11
Collective responsibility: Eph. 4:11-16
Bible Authority

14. Direct statement: 1 Cor. 14:26; Rom. 14:19; Eph. 4:12
2. Bible authority for edification
Edification part of
God’s plan for work
of the church
Direct statement: 1 Cor. 14:26; Rom. 14:19; Eph. 4:12
Approved example: Acts 2:42; 4:23-30; 11:25-26; 20:7
Necessary conclusion: 1 Cor. 14:26
Bible Authority

15. 3. Teachers in the 1st century church
Edification part of
God’s plan of work
for the church
Great commission makes “disciples” : Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16
Christianity a “taught” religion: Jn. 3:3-5; 6:44-45
More teaching required after initial obedience: Matt. 28:20; Eph. 4:7-16— ”gave gifts unto men” :
Reveal divine truth: Eph. 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:9-12; Gal. 1:11-12; Jn. 16:13
Propagate divine truth: Acts 7; 21:8; 8:4-5; 2 Tim. 4:5
Spiritual oversight: Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Heb. 13:17; 1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7-9; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; Eph. 4:11-16
Bible Authority

16. Spiritual Gifts Temporary
3. Teachers in the 1st century church
Edification part of
God’s plan for work
of the church
Spiritual Gifts Temporary
John 16:13
Jude 3
1 Corinthians 13:8; cf. Jas. 1:25
“it will vanish away”
Special circumstances of 1st century: Jn. 16:13; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; Gal. 1:11-12
Apostles couldn’t be in every place: Acts 20:27; Matt. 28:20
Spiritual gifts needed: Acts 8:18; 1 Cor. 12:8-10
“word of wisdom”
“discerning of spirits”
“word of knowledge”
“tongues”
“prophecy”
“interpretation of tongues”
Bible Authority

17. 4. How church did work of edification
Edification part of
God’s plan for work
of the church
Very simple! Eph. 4:16—“the edifying of itself in love”
God has so endowed, organized and equipped the church it is able to completely accomplish the work of edification.
People have differing needs regarding edification:
Physical classifications: Titus 2:2-6; 1 Tim. 2:11-12; Eph. 6:1-4, 5, 9; 5:22-25; Titus 2:9
Mental classifications: 1 Cor. 13:11
Spiritual classifications: 1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12-14; Jn. 16:12; 1 Cor. 3:2
Bible Authority

18. 4. How church did work of edification
Edification part of
God’s plan for work
of the church
Bible doesn’t specify how, when, or where groups are to be taught: Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 2:42, 46
Four things necessary for teaching:
Place: physical location where teaching is done.
Time: day and hour when teaching is done.
Person: who will teach and who will be taught.
Arrangement: what and how will teaching be done (i.e., topics, methods).
Bible Authority

20. 5. Church and secular education
Edification part of
God’s plan for work
of the church
Church only authorized to teach one thing: the Bible! 1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 2:42
Church at Ephesus did not operate a “Little Rascals” daycare center.
Churches of Macedonia did not operate “Berea Christian Academy” elementary & high school.
Church at Colossae did not send funds to support “Antioch Bible College.”
Just because a secular school teaches the Bible doesn’t mean it is right for the church to fund it.
Bible Authority

21. God’s Word is the source of all religious authority!
Conclusion
God’s Word is the source of all religious authority!
The Lord has given His church a very simple, yet very profound and important, program of work:
Evangelism: 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Thess. 1:6-8
Edification: Eph. 4:15-16
Benevolence: Acts 4:34-35; 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2
Every member has a role to play in the churches work of edification: Eph. 4:16; Heb. 10:24-25
Edification is a key aspect of our individual spiritual growth: 2 Pet. 1:5-7, 10-11
We must let the church do its work of edification according to the New Testament pattern: Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; Jude 20