1. Scriptural Authority “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2. Authorized? Or Not? There is scriptural authority for immersion in Baptism –Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12

3. Acts 8:38-39 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

4. Romans 6:3-4 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5. Colossians 2:12 Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

6. Authorized? Or Not? There is scriptural authority for immersion in Baptism –Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12 –But, there is no authority for sprinkling & pouring

7. Authorized? Or Not? There is scriptural authority for immersion in Baptism –Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12 –But, there is no authority for sprinkling & pouring There is scriptural authority for singing praise to God –Ephesians 5:18-19; Acts 16:25; James 5:13

8. Ephesians 5:18-19 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

9. Acts 16:25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

10. James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

11. Authorized? Or Not? There is scriptural authority for immersion in Baptism –Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12) –But, there is no authority for sprinkling & pouring There is scriptural authority for singing praise to God –Ephesians 5:18-19; Acts 16:25; James 5:13 –But, there is no authority for playing mechanical instruments of music

12. Authorized? Or Not? There is scriptural authority for the church to take up collections –1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7

13. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

14. 2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

15. Authorized? Or Not? There is scriptural authority for the church to take up collections –1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7 –But, no authority for selling chances, fund raisers, or having church rummage sales

16. Authorized? Or Not? There is scriptural authority for the church to take up collections –1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7 –But, no authority for selling chances, fund raisers, or having church rummage sales There is scriptural authority for elders in the local church –Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28

17. Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

18. Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

19. Authorized? Or Not? There is scriptural authority for the church to take up collections –1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7 –But, no authority for selling chances, fund raisers, or having church rummage sales There is scriptural authority for elders in the local church –Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28 –But, there is no authority for a universal bishop (cf. 1 Peter 5:1-2, 4)

20. 1 Peter 5:1-2 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.

21. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Christ is the Chief Shepherd. No man has a right to exalt himself to that position

22. Conclusion The Word of Christ will judge us in the last day Let us make sure we have scriptural authority for all we teach and practice! “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).