1. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

3. Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Importance Of Biblical Authority Having a solid understanding on authority is important for 2 main reasons… Ê Knowing how to define, understand, and apply Biblical authority allows us to teach unbelievers, deal with brethren who want to take the church into apostasy

4. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Importance Of Biblical Authority Having a solid understanding on authority is important for 2 main reasons… Ë Knowing how to define, understand, and apply Biblical authority allows the people of God to maintain their “distinctive separateness” in a world given over to sin, and to continue to serve God in the ways He has ordained

5. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Importance Of Biblical Authority This “distinctive separateness” is in jeopardy as homes & churches continue to fail in their obligations to teach Consider the disappointing survey results on page 22

6. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Illustrating The Need For Authority The issue to be decided… What is the length of this line? Ú The only right way to determine… consult the standard

7. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Imagine a world without any authority All sense of order would be lost…we would live in a world full of only chaos

8. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics NIST-F1 Cesium Fountain Atomic Clock The Primary Time & Frequency Standard For The United States 1 second = 9,192,631,770 oscillations (cycles) of the cesium atom

9. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Imagine a world without any authority All sense of order would be lost…we would live in a world full of only chaos Biblically, the most “chaotic” time may have been the days of The Judges cp. Judg 17:6 1 Kings 2:3-4

10. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority In our day, “religious anarchy” can be equally confusing to anyone searching for truth All “religious options” are presented as equally viable and acceptable The division that results is hardly anything like what the Lord prayed for cp. Jn 17:17-21

11. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Authority is not just necessary on a collective level, but also on an individual level All are individually accountable cp. Mt 25:21, 23 2 Cor 5:10 Even if everyone else is doing wrong, I am still individually accountable to God’s authority Gen 6:8 Rev 3:4

12. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Questions To Discuss… Ê A relevant question is found in Mt 21:23-27 Events surrounding Jesus’ 2 nd temple cleansing The Jews asked Jesus “By what authority do You do these things? Who gave You this authority?” Jesus’ reply is the relevant question we want to consider v. 25

13. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Questions To Discuss… Ê A relevant question is found in Mt 21:23-27 The Lord’s question narrows the choices to only 2 options as to the source of religious activities: Heaven (Divine) OR Men (Human) This is precisely the question that should be asked of any religious practice today

14. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Questions To Discuss… Ë The Jew’s failure to answer in Mt 21:25b The Jews showed some understanding re: John’s baptism had they admitted it came from heaven They knew Jesus would question their failure to receive it if this had been their answer to His question

15. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Questions To Discuss… Ë The Jew’s failure to answer in Mt 21:25b Their question of Jesus was fair, legitimate Notice Jesus even offered to answer it He did not rebuke their question…He only rebuked their blatant hypocrisy

16. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Questions To Discuss… Ì The incident of Nadab & Abihu in Lev 10:1-3 Aaron’s 2 sons acted without Divine authority re: their priestly duties v. 1 They used something God had never commanded Point Ù when we act on our own, we risk God’s displeasure, rejection, & judgment v. 2

17. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Questions To Discuss… Ì The incident of Nadab & Abihu in Lev 10:1-3 We also learn from this episode there is no room for emotionalism when dealing with God’s authority Moses had to remind his brother what the Lord had already said re: those who would come near to or approach Him v. 3

18. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Need For Biblical Authority Questions To Discuss… Ì The incident of Nadab & Abihu in Lev 10:1-3 What kind of “emotional arguments” as a father could Aaron have made re: his 2 sons, their death? The fact that “Aaron held his peace” teaches us the seriousness of respecting God’s authority…even when we might want to see things another way

19. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics