1. By What Authority? THE NECESSITY FOR AUTHORITY

2. Where do we look? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Colossians 3:17 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

3. We have an obligation 2 John 9 9 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.

4. What God has spoken Positively – “Do this” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

5. What God has spoken Negatively – “thou shalt not” Galatians 5:19-21 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

6. Direct statement or command 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

7. Direct statement or command Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

8. Approved apostolic example 1 Corinthians 14:37 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

9. Approved apostolic example 2 Peter 3:1-2 3 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

10. Approved apostolic example Acts 20:7 7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 1 Corinthians 11:26 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

11. Necessary Inference Acts 20:7 7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

12. Necessary Inference Exodus 20:8-11 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the L ORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the L ORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the L ORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

13. Necessary Inference Numbers 15:32-36 32 Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34 They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him. 35 Then the L ORD said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36 So, as the L ORD commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.

14. What if nothing is said? Matthew 23:9 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Leviticus 10 Nadab and Abihu 2 Samuel 6 Ark moved on new cart: Uzzah dies

15. What if nothing is said? Hebrews 7:11-14 11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

16. SpecificExpedient-helps No Authority Assemble Hebrews 10:25 Rent, buy, build; lights Gyms, kitchens, rec teams, social events Baptize Matthew 28:18-20 Water; baptistery Sprinkling, pouring: babies or unbelievers Sing Ephesians 5:19 Books, PowerPoint: sit or stand Instruments, choirs, entertainment,clapping Lay by in store 1 Corinthians 16:2 Cash, check: basket or tray: beginning or end Raffles, business enterprises, investment Preach, Teach Mark 16:15 When/ where? Pulpit, classes, radio, TV, tract Missionary society, college, schools Drink this cup 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 Vessels, trays: beginning or end Coffee, coke, hamburger, day? Relieve the needy Acts 4:34-35 Money, food, clothing Benevolent society, orphan homes

17. Nothing is right because it is consistent with something we are already doing, It is right or wrong on the basis of whether it agrees with the Bible.