1. Introduction To A Study Of Bible Authority

2. A Study of Authority Topics To Be Discussed:

3. Lesson 1 – Bible Authority, Introduction Lesson 1 – Bible Authority, Introduction Lesson 2 – Authority, Our Need As Seen In The New Testament Lesson 2 – Authority, Our Need As Seen In The New Testament Lesson 3 – The Source Of Authority Lesson 3 – The Source Of Authority Lesson 4 – The Authority Of Christ As Set Forth In The New Testament. Lesson 4 – The Authority Of Christ As Set Forth In The New Testament. Lesson 5 – How New Testament Authority Is Established Lesson 5 – How New Testament Authority Is Established

4. Topics To Be Discussed: Lesson 6 – The Silence Of The Scriptures Lesson 6 – The Silence Of The Scriptures Lesson 7 – The Bible Doctrine Of Expediency Lesson 7 – The Bible Doctrine Of Expediency Lesson 8 – The Work Of The Church – Evangelism Lesson 8 – The Work Of The Church – Evangelism Lesson 9 – The Work Of The Church – Benevolence Lesson 9 – The Work Of The Church – Benevolence Lesson 10 – The Work Of The Church -- Edification Lesson 10 – The Work Of The Church -- Edification

5. Topics To Be Discussed: Lesson 11 – Distinguishing The Church And The Individual Lesson 11 – Distinguishing The Church And The Individual Lesson 12 – The Autonomy Of The Local Church Lesson 12 – The Autonomy Of The Local Church Lesson 13 – The Social Gospel – The Bible Doctrine Of Fellowship Lesson 13 – The Social Gospel – The Bible Doctrine Of Fellowship Lesson 14 – Review Of All Lessons On Authority Lesson 14 – Review Of All Lessons On Authority

6. A Study of Authority “ And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:47-48)

7. A Study of Authority Lesson 1 The Need for Authority (Presentations are basically an adaptation of material found in Billy W. Moore’s classbook, A Study of Authority)

8. Areas Where Authority Is Needed  Home  School  Business  Nation  Religion

9. Definition - Authority Greek Word – exousia Vine: “The power of authority, the right to exercise power (Matthew 9:9; 21:23; 2 Corinthians 10:8) … the power of rule or government … the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others” (Matthew 28:18; John 17:2; Jude 25) (page 89). Thayer: “The power of authority and of right … the power of rule or government” (p. 225).

10. Definition - Authority Greek Word – exousia To act with authority simply means that one has jurisdiction, or that he acts by the order or instruction of one who has legal or rightful power.

11. Man’s Need For Authority In The Religious Realm The Chief Priests and Elders of the Jews recognized the Need for Authority. (Matthew 21:23-27)The Chief Priests and Elders of the Jews recognized the Need for Authority. (Matthew 21:23-27) Question shows two things:Question shows two things: Recognition of a need for authority.Recognition of a need for authority. That such authority must come from one who has the right to give it.That such authority must come from one who has the right to give it. Two possible sources:Two possible sources: HeavenHeaven ManMan

12. Some deny that authority from God is needed for ALL that man does! Some deny that authority from God is needed for ALL that man does! Some look to SELF as authority. (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12) Some look to SELF as authority. (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12) Some look to OTHER MEN as authority. (Colossians 2:20-22; Matthew 15:8-9) Some look to OTHER MEN as authority. (Colossians 2:20-22; Matthew 15:8-9) Man’s Need For Authority In The Religious Realm

13. Modern Expressions Regarding Authority “We do not need authority for everything we do.”“We do not need authority for everything we do.” “Where does the Bible say not to?”“Where does the Bible say not to?” A Basic Bible Principle: (1 Peter 4:11; cf. 2 John 9-11)

14. Man’s Need For Authority Seen In OT Examples Cain and AbelCain and Abel Genesis 4 Genesis 4 Hebrews 11:4; Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:4; Romans 10:17 Cain and his sacrifice were not acceptable because it was not what God had commanded. God will not accept substitutes God will not accept substitutes!

15. Nadab and Abihu. Leviticus 10:1-2 Nadab and Abihu. Leviticus 10:1-2 They offered a strange fire “…which he commanded them not.” (KJV) verse 1 They offered a strange fire “…which he commanded them not.” (KJV) verse 1 They were to get coals from the altar. (Leviticus 16:12) They were to get coals from the altar. (Leviticus 16:12) Nadab & Abihu were consumed with fire and their sacrifice rejected because they presumed to offer what God had not commanded. God will not accept substitutes! Man’s Need For Authority Seen In OT Examples

16. Remember… To act with authority means that one has jurisdiction or that he acts by the orders or instruction of one who has the rightful power! To act with authority means that one has jurisdiction or that he acts by the orders or instruction of one who has the rightful power! Nadab and Abihu had no jurisdiction, orders or instruction or legal or rightful power for the fire they used. Nadab and Abihu had no jurisdiction, orders or instruction or legal or rightful power for the fire they used.

17. King Saul. 1 Samuel 15 King Saul. 1 Samuel 15 Saul offered a sacrifice to the Lord. Saul offered a sacrifice to the Lord. “Behold to obey is better than sacrifice.” (verse 22) “Behold to obey is better than sacrifice.” (verse 22) Saul’s intentions did not make a difference (cf. Romans 3:8) Saul’s intentions did not make a difference (cf. Romans 3:8) Saul and his sacrifice were rejected because he presumed to offer what God had not commanded. God will not accept substitutes God will not accept substitutes! Man’s Need For Authority Seen In OT Examples

18. King Uzziah. 1 Chronicles 26:16-20 King Uzziah. 1 Chronicles 26:16-20 Uzziah attempted to burn incense to the Lord. Uzziah attempted to burn incense to the Lord. “It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah.” (verse 18) “It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah.” (verse 18) Uzziah’s intentions did not make a difference. (cf. Romans 3:8) Uzziah’s intentions did not make a difference. (cf. Romans 3:8) Only the priests were authorized to burn incense. (Exodus 30:1-10) Only the priests were authorized to burn incense. (Exodus 30:1-10) Uzziah and his sacrifice were rejected because he presumed to offer what God had not commanded. God will not accept substitutes God will not accept substitutes! Man’s Need For Authority Seen In OT Examples

19. Remember… To act with authority means that one has jurisdiction or that he acts by the orders or instruction of one who has the rightful power! To act with authority means that one has jurisdiction or that he acts by the orders or instruction of one who has the rightful power! All these had no jurisdiction, orders or instruction or legal or rightful power for what they did! All these had no jurisdiction, orders or instruction or legal or rightful power for what they did!

20. Conclusion In this lesson we have:  Determined what authority is, and shown man’s need for divine authority.  Shown that those who scorn the need for authority overlook a basic principle taught in God’s word.  Shown the need to learn (from the examples cited) the need for divine authority in our practices. (cf. Romans 15:4)

21. Questions Lesson 1 The Need for Authority ?

22. Question 1  Since the Genesis 4 account of Cain and Abel does not mention the kind of sacrifice they were to make, how do we know God told them what to offer? (Hebrews 11:4; Romans 10:17; and Acts 10:34) Since God did not authorize Cain’s sacrifice, by whose authority did he offer it? Faith comes by hearing God’s word … Since Abel’s sacrifice was offered “By faith,” it must have been in response to God’s instructions. Cain offered sacrifice by his own authority.

23. Question 2  Nadab and Abihu were priests, thus were the right men to burn incense; they were burning incense, so were doing the right thing; yet, they were rejected. Why? Though they were the right men, doing the right thing, they were not doing it in the right way! God cares how we do things. If He has specified a way it is to be done, we must respect His will in this.

24. Question 3  What should be the attitude we hold toward the commandments of men? (cf. Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:20-23). (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11) Recognize that such commandments are examples of self-willed expression (self-imposed religion), and as such constitute a vain attempt to please God. God, not us, has the right (authority) to determine what pleases Himself. (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11)

25. Question 4  From reading Matthew 21:23-27, how do we know that both Jesus and the Jews recognized the need for divine authority for their practices? Jesus accepted the legitimacy of their question, though he sought to convict them of their hypocrisy. “By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?” If from heaven, “Why then did you not believe him?”

26. Question 5  What is the basic Bible principle established by 2 John 9-11, as discussed in our lesson? cf. 1 Peter 4:11 That we may act without divine authority, but if we do, we cannot have God’s approval and fellowship. “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ hath not God.”