1. God has Spoken A study of Bible authority (Human sources of authority)

2. Chain of Authority from Heaven to Earth Heaven Earth All-authoritative word, Jno. 12:49-50 All-authoritative word, Jno. 12:49-50 All-authoritative word, Jno. 17:6-8,14-19 All-authoritative word, Jno. 17:6-8,14-19 Given the Holy Spirit (Jno. 15:26-27) Given the Holy Spirit (Jno. 15:26-27) – Comforter / the Spirit of truth, 14:16-18 – Teach & remember all things, 14:25-26 – Guide them into all truth, 16:12-15 – Revelation, inspiration, confirmation, Eph. 3:3-5; Matt. 10:20; Mk. 16:20 THE NEW TESTAMENT OF CHRIST FATHER FATHER SON SON HOLY SPIRIT HOLY SPIRIT APOSTLES APOSTLES SPOKEN & WRITTEN WORD SPOKEN & WRITTEN WORD

3. 3 Commandments and doctrines of men Colossians 2:8, 18-23 Deprive of heavenly reward, 2:18 (8) Deprive of heavenly reward, 2:18 (8) Deceptive source of knowledge, 2:18 Deceptive source of knowledge, 2:18 Not holding fast to Christ…growth is not “from God”, 2:19 Not holding fast to Christ…growth is not “from God”, 2:19 Perishable (subject to corruption), 2:20-22 Perishable (subject to corruption), 2:20-22 False appearances of wisdom, 2:23 False appearances of wisdom, 2:23 Fail to conquer the flesh, 2:23 Fail to conquer the flesh, 2:23

4. 4 It works! “The end justifies the means.” Do evil that good may come? Rom. 3:5-8 Do evil that good may come? Rom. 3:5-8 “You can’t argue with success!” Rom. 10:1-3; 1 Sam. 15 “You can’t argue with success!” Rom. 10:1-3; 1 Sam. 15

5. 5 Tradition “We’ve always done it this way.” Man’s tradition is not God’s command, Mk. 7:1-13 Man’s tradition is not God’s command, Mk. 7:1-13 Wrong when given binding power (7:3-4, 8) Wrong when given binding power (7:3-4, 8) Wrong when nullifies God’s commands (7:13) Wrong when nullifies God’s commands (7:13)

6. 6 Silence “It doesn’t say not to!” Be content with what has been revealed, 2 Jno. 9 (Deut. 29:29) Be content with what has been revealed, 2 Jno. 9 (Deut. 29:29) Silence does not give consent, Heb. 7:12-14 (Num. 3:10) Silence does not give consent, Heb. 7:12-14 (Num. 3:10)

7. 7 Numbers “So many can’t be wrong!” The flood, Gen. 6:5-8 The flood, Gen. 6:5-8 Two out of millions, Num. 14:28-30 Two out of millions, Num. 14:28-30 Majority crucified Jesus Majority crucified Jesus Majority does rule, Matt. 7:13-14 Majority does rule, Matt. 7:13-14

8. 8 Little things “If we do the important things right, the rest won’t matter!” Rulers, Jno. 12:42-43 Rulers, Jno. 12:42-43 One lie, Acts 5:1-4 One lie, Acts 5:1-4 Uzzah, 2 Sam. 6:6-7 (1 Chrn. 15:13-15) Uzzah, 2 Sam. 6:6-7 (1 Chrn. 15:13-15) Did God misunderstand? Ezek. 18:21-24 Did God misunderstand? Ezek. 18:21-24

9. 9 Keeping up with others “They are doing it and so can we!” Not content with God’s ways, 1 Sam. 8:4-7, 19-20 Not content with God’s ways, 1 Sam. 8:4-7, 19-20 “We won’t survive unless we become like the churches around us!” Rev. 3:1-3 “We won’t survive unless we become like the churches around us!” Rev. 3:1-3

10. 10 Emotions “It makes me feel good, so it must be right!” Pleasurable feelings do not justify, Heb. 11:25; Jas. 4:3 (Prov. 14:12; 28:26) Pleasurable feelings do not justify, Heb. 11:25; Jas. 4:3 (Prov. 14:12; 28:26)

11. 11 Losing touch with reality “I’d rather do it wrong than do nothing!” In what other part of life does that work? 2 Tim. 2:5 In what other part of life does that work? 2 Tim. 2:5 Another alternative: Do God’s work in God’s way, 1 Cor. 15:58 Another alternative: Do God’s work in God’s way, 1 Cor. 15:58

12. 12 HEAVEN OR MAN? Every human source of authority puts greater value on man than on God and what He says Every human source of authority puts greater value on man than on God and what He says New Testament of Christ is our only reliable authority (Col. 3:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17) New Testament of Christ is our only reliable authority (Col. 3:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)