A Study of Authority “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 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 12:47-48).

A Study of Authority Lesson 6 How To Establish Authority (Presentations are basically an adaptation of material found in Billy W. Moore’s classbook, A Study of Authority)

A Quick Summary of Past Lessons We have established what authority is, and the need for it in religion The Old Testament, the preacher, creeds of men, desires of a congregation, elders, or “end justifies the means” are not the source of authority Christ is the source of authority as king, and head over the church The will of Christ is set forth in the New Testament

How to Establish Authority It has long been recognized that God teaches us in one of three ways N.B. Hardeman quote, 1938

N.B. Hardeman “May I suggest to you now that there are three ways by which God teaches us his will, his word, his way. Now hear them: First, he teaches by direct statement, by positive command, saying the thing in so many words. Now that is one way. Well, there is another. You might not have a direct “Thus saith the Lord”, but if you can find an example approved and inspired of God, that concrete example comes to us with all the power and force of divine authority. That is God’s way of teaching… (cont.)

N.B. Hardeman (cont.), “…Then again, if there is a passage in the bible from which a necessary conclusion and inference must be drawn, I am willing to accept the statement that the Bible teaches that thing. So watch then. How does God teach us? First, by direct statement. Second, by approved example. Third, by a necessary inference.” (N.B. Hardeman, Hardeman’s Tabernacle Sermons, Vol. IV, page 52, 1938 edition)

How to Establish Authority It has long been recognized that God teaches us in one of three ways N.B. Hardeman quote, 1938 Three ways by which Authority may be established Direct Statement or Command Approved Example (Example approved by an inspired man) Necessary Inference (An inference is a conclusion that is drawn that is necessary)

Examples of Direct Command All Must Repent (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3)

Acts 17:30 “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”

Luke 13:3 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

Examples of Direct Command All Must Repent (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3) Disciples are to Contribute (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

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.”

Examples of Direct Command All Must Repent (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3) Disciples are to Contribute (1 Cor. 16:1-2) The Assembling of the Saints (Heb. 10:25)

Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Examples of Direct Command All Must Repent (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3) Disciples are to Contribute (1 Cor. 16:1-2) The Assembling of the Saints (Heb. 10:25) It is wrong to lie (Colossians 3:9)

Colossians 3:9 “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.”

Examples of Approved Examples Breaking Bread on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7)

Acts 20:7 “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”

Examples of Approved Examples Breaking Bread on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) Churches sending to the relief of others in benevolence (Acts 11:29-30)

Acts 11:29-30 “Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”

Examples of Necessary Inference An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from given data or premises Lot went down into Egypt with Abram (Gen. 13:1; 12:10)

Genesis 13:1; 12:10 (13:1), “Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South.” (12:10), “Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.”

Examples of Necessary Inference An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from given data or premises Lot went down into Egypt with Abram (Gen. 13:1; 12:10) Before he was baptized Jesus went down into the water (Matthew 3:16)

Matthew 3:16 “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.”

All Means of establishing authority illustrated in the New Testament teaching regarding the Lord’s Supper We Learn what to eat and drink by a direct statement (Matt. 26:26-28)

Matthew 26:26-28 “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’”

All Means of establishing authority illustrated in the New Testament teaching regarding the Lord’s Supper We Learn what to eat and drink by a direct statement (Matt. 26:26-28) We know when to eat and drink by an approved example (Acts 20:7)

Acts 20:7 “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”

All Means of establishing authority illustrated in the New Testament teaching regarding the Lord’s Supper We Learn what to eat and drink by a direct statement (Matt. 26:26-28) We know when to eat and drink by an approved example (Acts 20:7) We know the frequency of eating by a necessary inference (Acts 20:7) (For a daily observance, only the day of the week need be specified) Exodus 20:8, 10

Acts 20:7 “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”

Exodus 20:8, 10 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (10), “But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God…”

Questions Lesson 6 How To Establish Authority ?

Question 1  What are the three ways Bible Authority is Established? 1.Expressed Command 2.Approved Apostolic Example 3.Necessary Inference

Question 2  What three things are established by each of the three methods of establishing authority in the lesson example (The Lord’s Supper)? What 1.Command – What to eat and drink When 2.Example – When to eat and drink frequency 3.Inference – The frequency of eating and drinking

Question 3  Application: The kingdom of God was established on Pentecost (cf. Mk. 9:1; Acts 1:4- 8; Acts 2:1-4). Which of the three ways were used to establish this truth? Power Power Holy Spirit Holy Spirit PentecostInference… Kingdom established on Pentecost! Inference: 1) Promise of the kingdom present with Power. 2) They would receive Power, when Holy Spirit came upon them. 3) Holy Spirit came upon them on Day of Pentecost. Inference… Kingdom established on Pentecost!

Question 4  Application: Baptism to the penitent believer is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Which of the three ways were used to establish this truth? Direct Command: “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized…”

Question 5  Application: Are these things authorized or unauthorized? Counting of Beads, Burning incense, Offering animal sacrifices, Confessing sins to a priest, Sprinkling for baptism, Thursday night communion? Unauthorized. In every example given above, there is no command, example or inference which can be pointed to in establishing that Christians in the New Testament ever practiced or taught any of these things.