Bible Authority (Part 7) Aids and Additions

2 Review: God Has Revealed a Pattern “…make all things according to the pattern shown you…” Hebrews 8:5 “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13

3 Two Kinds of Authority GENERIC Includes all things needed to build the house (tools…) SPECIFIC Excludes all things not specified in the blueprints [Blueprints to build a house]

4 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions BuildArk of gopher wood (Gen. 6:14) Lord’s Supper First day Acts 20:7 Unl. Bread Fruit of Vine Lk. 22:1, 18 Scriptural Authority

5 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions Lord’s Supper In memory Luke 22:19 BaptismImmerse (buried), Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12 Scriptural Authority

6 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions Make Melody Sing Eph. 5:19 Col. 3:16 Elders Feed flock among you 1 Pet. 5:2-3 “In every church” Acts 14:23 Scriptural Authority

Bible Doctrine of Aids Definition (sumphero): “lit., to bring together…to be an advantage, profitable, expedient…” (Vine) cf. Jno. 16:7 To bear together or at the same time; to carry with others; to collect or contribute in order to help, hence to help, be profitable, be expedient…” (Thayer, 597) Assist or help in accomplishing the will of God (in harmony with His revealed will) 7

Bible Doctrine of Aids An aid is a lawful (helpful) liberty, 1 Cor. 10:23 Command: Glorify God and cause no offense, 1 Cor. 10:31-33 Lawful to eat meat, but not always helpful (would not always aid in glorifying God without offense) Aid: Helps obey God’s revealed will 8

Bible Doctrine of Aids Aid: Helps obey God’s revealed will Aid does not change the force or effect of the authorized (approved) action “Incidentals” or “non-essentials” Noah’s tools did not change building, Gen. 6:14 Song books do not change singing, Eph. 5:19 Trays, cups do not change eating, 1 Cor. 11:

10 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions BuildToolsArk of gopher wood (Gen. 6:14) Oak, Spruce (another kind of wood) Lord’s Supper Set Hour Containers First day Acts 20:7 Unl. Bread Fruit of Vine Lk. 22:1, 18 Monday, etc. (another day) Cookies, Coke (another emblem) Scriptural Authority

11 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions Lord’s Supper Place (building, tent) In memory Luke 22:19 Feast (1 Cor. 11:22, 34) (another purpose) BaptismBaptistery, Pool, Lake River, Tub, Ocean Immerse (buried), Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12 Sprinkle, Pour (another action) Scriptural Authority

12 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions Make Melody Song books Pitch pipe Sing Eph. 5:19 Col. 3:16 Play Instrument (another kind of music) Elders Business meeting Congreg. meeting Feed flock among you 1 Pet. 5:2-3 Acts 14:23 Elder Conference Spon. Churches (another kind of organizational oversight) Scriptural Authority

Bible Doctrine of Aids Aids involve choices (non-essentials) Choose whether to use a pitch pipe to sing Choose whether to use power point, loudspeaker, bulletin to preach Choose whether to use printed material to edify Aids are left unspecified – Use judgment concerning expediency Aids must edify, not stumbling, 1 Cor. 10:23 13

14 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions Preach Pulpit, sound system, power point Gospel 1 Ths. 1:8 Acts 11:22 Edify Classes Bulletin Study Material Spiritual 1 Cor. 14:26 Acts 20:32 Scriptural Authority Work of the Local Church

15 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions Relieve the Needy Direct Relief, Purchase It Deliver by Courier, Mail Christians Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 6:1- 6; 11:27-30; Rom. 15:26- 27; 1 Cor. 16: 1-2; 2 Cor. 8 and 9 Scriptural Authority Work of the Local Church

Bible Doctrine of Additions Definition (prostithemi): “to put to, to add, join to, gather with any company” (Thayer); cf. Matt. 6:27 Addition changes the force and effect of the authorized (approved) action Ark: Raft would have been an addition Baptism: Pour and sprinkle are additions Sing: Instrument of music (play) an addition 16

17 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions Preach Pulpit, sound system, power point Gospel 1 Ths. 1:8 Acts 2:42 Politics (another kind of message) Edify Classes Bulletin Study Material Spiritual 1 Cor. 14:26 Acts 20:32 Social activities (another kind of program) Scriptural Authority Work of the Local Church

18 GenericAidsSpecificAdditions Relieve the Needy Direct relief Purchase it Courier, Mail Christians Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 6:1- 6; 11:27-30; Rom. 15:26- 27; 1 Cor. 16: 1-2; 2 Cor. 8 and 9 Non-Christians (another kind of recipient) Scriptural Authority Work of the Local Church

19 Specific Work Specific Organization AidsAdditions Preach Local Church -Elders -Deacons -Saints Acts 14:23 1 Tim. 3:1-7 Phil. 1:1 Radio TV Internet Printed material Pulpit Missionary Society Sponsoring Church Herald of Truth Scriptural Authority Organization of the Local Church

20 Specific Work Specific Organization AidsAdditions Edify the Saints Local Church -Elders -Deacons -Saints Acts 14:23 1 Tim. 3:1-7 Phil. 1:1 Classes Teachers Material Sunday School Board University Bible Chair Scriptural Authority Organization of the Local Church

21 Specific Work Specific Organization AidsAdditions Relieve Needy Saints Local Church -Elders -Deacons -Saints Acts 14:23 1 Tim. 3:1-7 Phil. 1:1 Delivered by Messengers Delivered directly Purchased Children’s Home Medical Mission Scriptural Authority Organization of the Local Church

Bible Doctrine of Additions Additions are forbidden, not approved, 2 Jno. 9; Gal. 1:8-9; Rev. 22:18 Add to God’s word – Turn away from Christ’s gospel to a different gospel, Gal. 1:6 Perverted gospel and departure from grace! 22