Authority 1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 3 And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’”

Honor God, Honor God’s Law You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? (Rom. 2:23). How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Gen. 39:9).

Question of Authority Matthew 21:23-27  Recognized Need For Authority (v. 23)  Only Two Sources: Heaven or Man  Truth Not Matter To Dishonest (v. 25)  Wrong Source – Mt. 15:9 Baptism of John: From Heaven or From Man?

Lawless Matthew 7:21-23  Prophesied In Your Name  Cast Out Demons In Your Name  Many Wonderful Works In Your Name  Claimed Right Source, But Wrong  Not Enough To Claim Right Source, It Must Be The Right Source

Establishing Biblical Authority Two Kinds of Authority: –General – Mk. 16:15 -- “Go” –Specific – Eph. 5:19 – “Sing” Established In One of Three Ways: –Direct Statement – 1 Cor. 11:23-25 –Approved Example – Acts 20:7 –Necessary Inference – Acts 20:7

Establishing Bible Authority Passage Command Addition SpecificGeneral Gen. 6:14Gopher WoodTools, PlaceOak, Elm Exod. 16:2Lamb: No BlemishKnife, WoodHorse, Pig Mk. 16:15Preach Gospel Tract, Sermon, Class, Radio Math, English Matt. 26:26-29 Bread Fruit of the Vine Cups, Trays, Servers Milk & Twinkie 1 Cor. 16:2Give as ProsperedBasket, HatCar Wash Mk. 16:16BaptizeRiver, BaptistrySprinkle, Pour Eph. 5:19SingBooks, LeaderPiano, Drums

Aids and Additions Direct CommandAidsAdditions SingBooks, Lights Instruments (Another Kind of Music) BaptizeBaptistry Sprinkling (Another Kind of Action) Assemble to Break Bread Building, Seats, Lights, Heat Saturday (Another Day) Preach GospelRadio, TV, Sermon Missionary Society (Another Organization) Relieve Needy Saints Money, Food, Necessities Benevolent Society (Another Organization)

“Thus Saith The Lord” CommandGeneralSpecificAddition Ark - Gopher Wood (Gen. 6:14) Axe, Hammer, Size of Tree Gopher WoodOak, Pine, Elm Elders Oversee (1 Pet. 5:1-3) Choose Preacher, Class Material “Flock Among You” Oversee 2 or More Flocks Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) Cups, Trays, Time of Day 1st Day, Bread, Fruit of Vine Milk, Twinkies, Saturday Church Plan & Provide Social Meal ( …………………..) Knives, Forks, Tables, Place to Eat Preparation, Food Donation to a Food Society Church Sponsored Recreation (………….………..) Balls, Bats, Teams, Uniforms, Gym Games, Activities Donation to a Fun Society Sponsoring Church Evangelism (……………………) Giving & Receiving Churches Elders Over 2 or More Churches Donation to a Missionary Society

Where Is Scriptural Authority…? PracticeCommand Approved Example Necessary Inference Pay Preacher?1 Cor. 9:4-142 Cor. 11:8-91 Tim. 4:12-15 Direct Support of Preacher? Phil. 4:15 2 Cor. 11:8 Elders Overseeing Work of Only One Church? 1 Pet. 5:1-3 Acts 20:28-30 Churches Sending To Saints In Need? 1 Cor. 16:1-4 2 Cor. 8:9 Acts 24:17 Elders Plan Work Beyond Their Financial Ability? ??? Several Churches Working Through One Church? ??? Elders Giving Funds To Human Organizations? ???

Where Is Scriptural Authority…? PracticeCommand Approved Example Necessary Inference Lord’s Supper?Matt. 26:26-29 Lord’s Supper on 1st Day of Week? Acts 20:7 Lord’s Supper on 1st Day of Every Week? Acts 20:7 Churches Providing For A Social Meal? ??? Singing?Eph. 5:19Matt. 26:30 Instrumental Music? ???

What’s The Difference? Philippi Church $ $ $ $ Sponsoring Church $ $ Phil. 4: Cor. 11:8-9 ?

Know You Are Saved! Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins (John 8:24). Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:32). I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).