1. Yes, But My Bible Says… Distinguishing the Covenants

2. Bible Authority  Religious authority comes from God because he is our Creator (Gen. 1:1) and God expresses his authority through his word (Heb. 1:1-2)  Both the OT and the NT exemplify the need for God’s authority in our life  There is also a need to distinguish the different covenants in the Bible and handle accurately the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15)

3. Yes, But My Bible Says…  Where do we turn in our Bible (66 books) to find religious authority for us today?  Do we turn to the OT, the NT, or both?  If we turn to the OT or the NT, what part of it do we use, some of it, or all of it?  These questions were actually dealt with by Paul in the first-century church (Gal. 5:1-4)

4. Yes, But My Bible Says…  Appealing to the OT  Polygamy (Mormon)  Sabbath (Seventh-Day Adventist)  Tithing (Baptist)  Priesthood (Catholic)  Instrumental music (various denominations)

5. Yes, But My Bible Says…  Appealing to the NT  Apostles (Mormon)  Tongue speaking, snake handling, healing (Pentecostal)

6. Distinguishing the Covenants  Patriarchal period: God’s authority expressed to the Patriarchs through oral law (Acts 13:17)  Mosaic period: God’s authority expressed to the Jews through the codified Law of Moses (Ac. 13:18-22)  Gospel / Christian period: God’s authority expressed to all mankind through the codified Law of Christ (Ac. 13:23-41)

7. Distinguishing the Covenants  There was an Old Covenant dedicated by the blood of animals for the Jews only  Limited in scope: (Deut. 5:1-4)  Limited in purpose: (Gal. 3:19-24)  Limited in time: (Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14; Heb. 10:9-10)  There was a promise of a New Covenant (Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:8-13)

8. Distinguishing the Covenants  There is a New Covenant dedicated by the blood of Jesus for all mankind (Mt. 26:28; Mk. 14:24; Lk. 22:20)  Unlimited in scope: (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16)  Unlimited in purpose: (2 Tim. 3:16-17)  Unlimited in time: (Heb. 13:20)  There is not a promise of another covenant (Jude 3)

9. Distinguishing the New Covenant  There are 27 books in the New Testament … what part of it is for us today?  We must distinguish between actions of Jews under the Old Law (some of the material in the gospels) and the actions of Christians under the New Law (some of the material in the gospels, Acts through Revelation)

10. Distinguishing the New Covenant  We must distinguish between temporary actions (1 Cor. 13:8-10) and permanent actions  We must distinguish between local cultural customs (1 Cor. 11) and world-wide practices  We must distinguish between actions for a limited group (Jn. 16:13; Acts 1:8) and actions for all Christians

11. New Covenant Obligations  We must never forget it (1 Cor. 11:25)  We must never reject it (2 Cor. 3:14)  We must never disobey it (Heb. 10:26-29)  We must never loose sight of it (Rev. 11:19)