1. Study of Authority, Part VI

2. Study of Authority 6 1.Review 1.Need for Authority 2.How to Establish it 3.Generic and Specific Authority 4.What is an Expediency 5.Silence of the Scriptures 6.Authority in Evangelism Today we want to look at what the NT has to say about Edification

3. Authority in Edification Newly converted souls must not be forsaken and left to wander back into sin. They must be taught how to worship God How to live a new life in Christ Must be “edified” or built up in the most holy faith

4. Authority in Edification Edification – the act of building Used only figuratively in the NT in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth.

5. Authority in Edification One of Jesus’ last commandments – (Mat 28:20 NKJV) "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.

6. Authority in Edification Paul calls this the work of equipping the saints… (Eph 4:12-13 NKJV) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

7. The Church and Edification So the church is to engage in the work of edification Authority: Direct commands and statements of Matt. 28.20 And Paul’s directions to the Corinthian Christians… “…Let all things be done for edification.” 2 Cor. 14.26

8. The Church and Edification Authority: Paul taught that the church is sufficient unto the edifying of itself in love… (Eph 4:16 NKJV) from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

9. The Church and Edification Authority: Approved example: (1 Cor 14:26 NKJV) How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

10. The Church and Edification Authority: Examples of teaching to those already converted: Acts 2.46 - “They continued daily in the temple…” Acts 4.23 - The apostles called church together to discuss the threats of the Jews, to consider Scripture and to pray (Acts 11:26 NKJV) And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

11. Teachers in the Early Church There were teachers set in the early Church for the purpose of edification (1 Cor 12:28 NKJV) And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1.In the beginning miraculous gifts were needed to provide adequate teaching in the church 2.They had received these powers by the laying on of the hands of an apostle, and therefore taught by inspiration

12. Teachers in the Early Church (Eph 4:7-16 NKJV) But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. {8} Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men." {9} (Now this, "He ascended"; what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) {11} And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; {14} that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

13. Teachers in the Early Church 1.They were Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. 2.The purpose of these gifts: a)Apostles and Prophets for the revelation of divine truth. Eph. 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:12-13; John 16:13

14. Teachers in the Early Church (Eph 3:5 NKJV) which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

15. Teachers in the Early Church (1 Cor 2:12-13 NKJV) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. {13} These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

16. Teachers in the Early Church (John 16:13 NKJV) "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

17. Teachers in the Early Church 1.They were Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. 2.The purpose of these gifts: a)Apostles and Prophets for the revelation of divine truth. Eph. 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:12-13; John 16:13 b)Evangelists for the propagation of the truth revealed. Example: Stephen Acts 7; Philip of Acts 7; 21:8; Timothy, Titus, and others. c)Pastors (elders) and teachers for the work of the local church. d)Paul said these were given ``for the perfecting of the saints.'' which is the work of teaching in the local church.

18. How the Church Edified The early church “edified” by teaching The church was to “edify itself” (Eph. 4.16) God so organized the church that it is able to do its work of edification

19. How the Church Edified The church as authority to recognize various stages of physical, mental and spiritual growth: 1.Young men and aged men – Titus 2.2, 6 2.Young women and aged women – Titus 2.3-4 3.Children and parents – Eph. 6.1-4 4.Husbands & wives – Eph. 5.22-25 5.Masters and servants – Titus 2.9; Eph. 6.5-6

20. How the Church Edified Some spiritual classifications: Babes in Christ – 1 Pet. 2.2; Heb. 5.12-14 Full age (mature) – Heb. 5.12-14; 1 Cor. 3.2

21. How the Church Edified Various groups to be taught according to their ability to receive – Milk for babes – 1 Peter 2.2 Strong meat for those of maturity – Heb. 5.12-14 Teaching was sometimes withheld because some were unable to receive it at the time – Jn 16.12; 1 Cor. 3.2

22. How the Church Edified Other evidences of “classification”: Titus 2.1-8 Aged men and women 1 Tim. 2.11-12 young women to be taught by older women, but women are not to teach over the man…

23. How the Church Edified No legislation on HOW, WHERE, or WHEN these groups may be taught God only specifies the organization; the means and methods are left up to the church to select

24. How the Church Edified The local church makes arrangements for teaching Not all done in the assembly – 1 Tim. 2.11-12; 1 Cor. 14.34 Things necessary for teaching: Place, time, people, arrangements of those to be taught…

25. How the Church Edified The local church has authority to provide: The place The personnel Provisions needed to teach

26. How the Church Edified The pattern: Local church Place Personnel Provisions (letters of Paul, etc.)

27. How the Church Edified NOT in the pattern: Local church hiring an organization to do the teaching Setting up Sunday School Organizations separate from the local church

28. How the Church Edified The work of the church in edification does not involve secular education: The church is to teach the Gospel of Christ, the Word of God. It is the “pillar and ground of the truth.”

29. How the Church Edified Many churches have gotten into the field of secular education as a business. Many have grade schools, high schools, and even colleges. They claim since the Bible is the curriculum, it is OK for the church to support it The church of the NT never engaged in secular education. No authority for the church to have such a thing

30. How the Church Edified Conclusion: That the church has a work to do in edification is accepted by all The Lord has restricted what the church teaches, that is the word of the Lord The Lord has restricted the organization to the church itself

31. How the Church Edified We need to let the church do the work the Lord created and equipped it to do Keep it free from contributions to or involving itself with secular schools and colleges and from getting into the school business