1. Scripture Reading Deut 4:1-8 “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you.”

2. “By what authority? ”Mt. 21:23-27 F “All authority has been given to me” Mt. 28:18 F “Authority” - “the right to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; the right to control, command, or determine; (2) a body or person with such rights” American College Dict

3. The Chain of Authority God Gen 1:1 Christ Mt 28:18 Apostles Mt 18:18 HS Jn 14-16 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Jn 9

4. How Do We Learn of God’s Authority? F It is not learned in nature l Ps 19:1 “Heavens declare glory…” l Ps 119:105 But His word directs us F It is not found in creeds Mt. 15:8-9  It is not impressed in man (instinct) F It is expressed Heb. 1:1 F Scripture is authoritative 1 Pet 4:11

5. The Use of Human Reasoning in Understanding the Bible F God created man with ability to reason & understand Rom 12:1 F God’s message addressed to ability F Man must use reason to understand l Isa 1:18; Acts 17:1-4; 18:4; 24:25 F Promise: Truth is understandable John 8:32; Eph 3:4; 5:17

6. How is Authority of Scripture Expressed? F 2 Tim 2:15 “Rightly divide” - “to cut straight, to divide right” - “…make proper distribution of that word, adapting [the] instructions to the circumstances and wants of his hearers, and giving to each that which will be fitted to nourish the soul for heaven” (Barnes’ Notes, II Tim., p. 225)

7. “Rightly Dividing…” F Col. 2:14; 2 Cor 3:6-9 OT from NT F 2 Pet 2:1-2; Heb 4:11f milk/meat F Acts 20:26-27 “Whole counsel of God” F 1 Tim 4:1f; 2 Tim 4:1f Reject error F Gal 2:6 Show no favoritism to men F Thoughts from Psalms 119

8. God’s Three Methods of Teaching F Commands, expressed statements l 1 Jn 5:1-3; Rev 22:14 F Approved Apostolic Examples 1 Cor 11:1 F Divine Implications (Necessary Inferences) - Speaker implies; hearer infers Eph 4:5 water baptism

9. These Are God’s Way- Not Man’s F Concept not widely accepted F Emphasis during Campbell’s day F But not “Restoration” concept F Bible speaks in these 3 avenues to express God’s authority F Will prove from scriptures themselves that 3 avenues express authority

10. Establishing Bible Authority “ But how may scriptural authority be established? In order for a thing to be in harmony with the scriptures there must be either: first an express command or statement; second an approved example, and third a necessary inference in the word of God for it” (Roy Cogdill, Cogdill-Woods Debate, p. 13). “With much of brother Cogdill’s speech I am in complete agreement..no one calls in question..” (ibid, p. 27). “ But how may scriptural authority be established? In order for a thing to be in harmony with the scriptures there must be either: first an express command or statement; second an approved example, and third a necessary inference in the word of God for it” (Roy Cogdill, Cogdill-Woods Debate, p. 13). “With much of brother Cogdill’s speech I am in complete agreement..no one calls in question..” (ibid, p. 27).

11. But Some Do Question It... “ I have listened closely to the three ways of establishing authority - command, example, inference. And I am persuaded that this needs closer examination. I believe that Bible auth- ority rests solely on the revelationary nature of the scriptures, and that in dealing with necessary inference and approved examples involves the use of the mind, and therefore, interpretation” (Reuell Lemmons, Arlington Meeting, p. 405). “ I have listened closely to the three ways of establishing authority - command, example, inference. And I am persuaded that this needs closer examination. I believe that Bible auth- ority rests solely on the revelationary nature of the scriptures, and that in dealing with necessary inference and approved examples involves the use of the mind, and therefore, interpretation” (Reuell Lemmons, Arlington Meeting, p. 405).

12. Some Deny Necessary Inferences... “ The New Testament pattern ends where revelation ends, that is where the specific mandate (command, tr) ends and where God allows human judgment to take over. Any time we have to to beyond the limits of the specific revelation (or mandate) to infer, deduce and go through a process of reasoning to reach a conclusion, it is human and can be no part of the divine pattern..” (F L Lemley, FF, 9/17/74, p.597) “ The New Testament pattern ends where revelation ends, that is where the specific mandate (command, tr) ends and where God allows human judgment to take over. Any time we have to to beyond the limits of the specific revelation (or mandate) to infer, deduce and go through a process of reasoning to reach a conclusion, it is human and can be no part of the divine pattern..” (F L Lemley, FF, 9/17/74, p.597)

13. Some Deny Examples as Binding... “ Those within the Restoration Movement who have written on the subject usually have assumed that at least some of the New Testament examples are binding. In contrast, the New Testament seems to provide no basis for this conclusion…the New Testament contains no rules for distinguishing important from unimportant examples” (Milo Hadwin, The Role of New Testament Examples as Related to Biblical Authority, p. v, foreward) “ Those within the Restoration Movement who have written on the subject usually have assumed that at least some of the New Testament examples are binding. In contrast, the New Testament seems to provide no basis for this conclusion…the New Testament contains no rules for distinguishing important from unimportant examples” (Milo Hadwin, The Role of New Testament Examples as Related to Biblical Authority, p. v, foreward)

14. Some Reject Commands... F Those in “New Hermeneutic” Movement refer to Bible as a “love letter” without any commands at all. F So to some, Bible is only what each one allows it to be, not what God chooses to declare. F But John 6:44-45 “hear, learn, come”

15. God Expects Faith Rom 10:17 F Reason (Rom 12:1) applies equally to l Commands (which apply Mt 27:5; Jn 13:27 ) l Examples (upper room Acts 20:8) l Necessary Inference Mk 12:28 F Man is not a senseless robot F Or lost in darkness Ps 119:105 F God communicates to man Heb. 1:1

16. Our Appeal Is To The Scriptures F 1 Pet 4:11 F 2 Tim. 3:16-17 F 1 Jn 5:2-3 F Speak where the Bible speaks Be silent where the Bible is silent F Do Bible Things in Bible Ways Call Bible things by Bible Names