Thematic Studies In Bible Basics FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles Want to emphasize a subtle distinction… We should not make our appeal to the New Testament (2nd Covenant) For authority in religion, we should make our appeal to Jesus Christ Mt 28:18 Heb 1:1-2 His identity makes the N.T. relevant, binding

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles As an extension of Himself, Jesus hand chose 12 disciples…eventually made them “apostles” Mt 10:5, 16 Jn 13:20 20:21 These men were given a “unique” place in the history of the N.T. church Eph 2:20 1 Cor 3:11 They were eyewitnesses cp. Acts 1:15-26

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of Jesus Christ Authoritative by claims He made re: Himself Jn 7:16-18 12:42-50 As the “Apostle and High Priest of our confession” Jesus has the right to speak with authority Heb 3:1

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of Jesus Christ Authoritative by claims He made re: man’s destiny Our eternal destiny depends on our reaction to His claims about being the Messiah Lk 12:8-9 We are either “wise” or “foolish” based on how we respond to what He says, teaches Mt 7:24, 26

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of Jesus Christ Authoritative by the inherent nature of His works His works bear witness to His identity Jn 5:36 He could heal and forgive Mt 9:1-8 Both were easy for Him to do Both are hard (impossible) for man to do

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of Jesus Christ Authoritative by the inherent nature of His works He could heal and forgive Mt 9:1-8 His “works” were indicative of His ability and right to forgive sins while on earth among men v. 6 Who could forgive sins but God alone? cp. Mk 2:7

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of Jesus Christ Authoritative by the inherent nature of His works His disciples are to believe His association with the Father based on these works Jn 14:10-11 The purpose of these “works” is to produce within man enough faith in that he accepts Jesus as the Messiah Jn 20:30-31

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of The Apostles Some claim, “I only read the red letters in the N.T.” Such thinking denies the important role the apostles play under the 2nd Covenant and man’s redemption Jesus didn’t personally teach all the truth while on the earth Jn 16:12 cp. Acts 1:6 Lk 24:21

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of The Apostles Here’s how this “deficiency” on the part of the apostles was later resolved The Holy Spirit would later teach “all things”… bring these things to the apostles’ remembrance Jn 14:25-26 The Holy Spirit would bear additional witness of Christ, offer more testimony Jn 15:26

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of The Apostles Here’s how this “deficiency” on the part of the apostles was later resolved The Holy Spirit would later guide the 12 apostles into “all truth” Jn 16:7-11, 13 The apostles were given the words the Father gave to Jesus Jn 17:8, 14

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of The Apostles Some important points to keep in mind… Notice the phrases “all things” (Jn 14:26) & “all truth” (Jn 16:13) did not occur until after the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles Even the Holy Spirit did not act on His own authority… He was submissive to the Father’s will Jn 16:13b

Lesson 6 Ù Biblical Authority (Part A) The Authority Of Christ, His Apostles The Authority of The Apostles The “process” to which Jesus refers is described in 1 Cor 2:1-16 God’s “hidden wisdom” in a “mystery” was spoken v. 7 These things that God prepared for man were searched out by the Spirit in the mind of God, then later revealed to the apostles vv. 9-12