Know Your Bible Series Matthew 21:23 - Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Introduction The concept of respecting and obeying authority is lost in today’s world In this lesson, we will look at what the Bible teaches about authority and the essentiality of living within the authority of God What is specific authority? What is generic authority? How do we go about establishing Bible authority for what we do today? What is an “aid” versus an “addition” Can’t we just be sincere and not worry about this authority business?

Young’s & Strong’s Exhaustive Concordances Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words Thayer’s Greek Lexicon “Biblical Authority” by Ferrell Jenkins “By What Authority?” by Maurice Barnett Cogdill-Woods Debate; Ward-Brooks Debate “Hermeneutics” by Duggin “When Is An ‘Example’ Binding?” by Thomas B. Warren “Old Issues Do Not Fade Away” by Gene Frost Bibliography

“The Glory and the Blasphemy” by Lynn Headrick “Restudying the Issues of the ’50s and ’60s” by Bill Hall “A Church Divided” by Wayne Jackson “A Brother at our Door” by Al Diestelcamp (review of above) Bibliography (con’t)

Important Terms and Definitions Authority & In the name of the Lord By faith Exclusive, limiting Specific authority Generic authority Aids or lawful expedients vs. Additions Silence of the Scriptures Precepts, direct statements, commands, approved examples, accounts of action, necessary inferences, unavoidable conclusions

Authority The right or power to command or act The Godhead (i.e. Deity), by virtue of being the Creator…has the “right or power to command or act” Jesus spoke of “all power in heaven and in earth” being given to Him in Matthew 28:18 Jesus also spoke of the power granted to the apostles to perform miracles (cf Mt. 10; Mk. 16:20) and preach/teach under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14,15,16; Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-20) There is inherent authority and delegated authority; but, in spiritual matters, we cannot usurp deity’s authority!

Keeping it Simple… Those doing the will of the Father… Those who practice law-lessness… MATTHEW 7:21-23

John 8:31 “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed.” Jesus taught the essentiality of following His Word. He has the authority (Mt. 28:18-20) in heaven and in earth. We are to obey Him (Acts 5:32). If we are NOT abiding in the Word, we are not obeying Him!

Colossians 3:17 “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Whatever we do, as individuals or as the local church, we should do with the authority (permission) of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Activites fall in only 1 of 3 areas… 1. Mandatory OR 2. Optional 3. Forbidden Authorized & Unauthorized

Establishing Authority “Go to the store and get me some food” “Get on your red bike and go to the nearest Winn Dixie and bring me back only: one loaf of WonderBread (white), one 12 oz jar of Smuckers Grape Jelly & one 12 oz jar of Jiff Creamy Peanut Butter.” There is specific and generic authority in BOTH the statements about…wherein the specifics are given…other alternatives are excluded…wherein generics are found…liberty exists to do what is authorized by means of aids/expedients to accomplish the authorized task

Cogdill-Woods Debate, p. 14

The Perfect Law of Liberty Jas 1:25; 2:12 The New Covenant

The Perfect Law of Liberty Jas 1:25; 2:12 Committing Transgression Trespass I Jn 3:4 Action not in the doctrine of Christ The New Covenant

The Perfect Law of Liberty Jas 1:25; 2:12 Committing Transgression Trespass I Jn 3:4 Action not in the doctrine of Christ Violating Conscience I Cor 8; Rom 14 The New Covenant

The Perfect Law of Liberty Jas 1:25; 2:12 Committing Transgression Trespass I Jn 3:4 Action not in the doctrine of Christ Omitting Jas 4:17 Lk 10:30-37 Mt 25 Violating Conscience I Cor 8; Rom 14 The New Covenant

LIGHT DARKNESS Psalm 119:105 I John 1:6-9 Light & Darkness Principle