[By Ron Halbrook]

Introduction: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive salvation 2

3 Matt. 28: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Introduction: 2. T o understand & apply the authority of Christ: I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture II. Authority of Christ as Savior III. Authority of Christ in Local Church IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ 4

A. Unchanging Truth of Gospel: Seed of Kingdom Like seed, the original gospel always produces New Testament Christians 5 Luke 8:11Seed of Kingdom Matt. 28:18-20Unchanging Truth of Gospel Acts 2:38, 47Original Baptism, Church of Christ

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ A. Unchanging Truth of Gospel: Seed of Kingdom Like seed, the original gospel always produces New Testament Christians 6 Watermelon seed Tomato seedGospel seed New Testament Christians, members of the church of Christ

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ B. Christ Warned of Gradual Departures Apostasy: Lawless Spirit of “the Man of Sin” (2 Thess. 2:3-7) 7

The Lawless Spirit of “the Man of Sin” 8 2 Thess. 2:3-7 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The Lawless Spirit of “the Man of Sin” 9 2 Thess. 2:3-7 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ C. Christ’s Warning Became Tragic Reality Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 10

Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 11 2 nd -3 rd Century: Apostasy in local organization  Elevate one bishop to “presiding bishop” Bishops Deacons All Saints Presiding Bishop Bishops Deacons All Saints Presiding Bishop

Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 12 2 nd -3 rd Century: Apostasy in local organization  Large churches oversee small ones

13 2 nd -3 rd Century: Apostasy in local organization  Large churches oversee small ones Bishops Deacons All Saints Presiding Bishop Local Church

Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 14 2 nd -3 rd Century: Apostasy in local organization  Large church oversee programs for churches in a city, region, or province

Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 15 2 nd -3 rd Century: Apostasy in local organization  Large church oversee programs for churches in a city, region, or province  Bishop of large city church elevated to “Metropolitan Bishop” or “Archbishop”  In 606 Boniface III of Rome “Universal Bishop”

Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 16 2 nd -3 rd Century: Church councils met to settle doctrine, write creeds

17 Local Church 2 nd -3 rd Century: Church councils met to settle doctrine, write creeds Church Council  Bishops from churches meet  Debate, vote on doctrine  Write creeds to bind churches

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ C. Christ’s Warning Became Tragic Reality Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 18 3 rd -4 th Century: Easter, Christmas  Adapted from paganism

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ C. Christ’s Warning Became Tragic Reality Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 19 5 th Century: Incense & candles

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ C. Christ’s Warning Became Tragic Reality Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 20 6 th Century: Crucifix

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ C. Christ’s Warning Became Tragic Reality Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 21 7 th Century: Purgatory

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ C. Christ’s Warning Became Tragic Reality Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 22 9 th Century: Holy Water

Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism 23 7 th -11 th Century: Development of papal power 12 th Century: Instrumental music in worship 14 th Century: Sprinkling declared equal to immersion

Steps of Apostasy Created Roman Catholicism th Century: Claims of holy relics (sold) 16 th Century: Persecute heretics from Catholicism 19 th Century: Pope declared infallible in doctrine 19 th Century: Immaculate conception of Mary 20 th Century: Corporeal assumption of Mary

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ D. Basic Doctrines of Catholicism Catholic Church thru Its Hierarchy Conveys Salvation 25

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ D. Basic Doctrines of Catholicism Sacraments as Vehicles of Grace 1Baptism: Any mode, baby or adult 2Confirmation: Profess faith, receive H.S. 3Penance: Sin after baptism absolved 4Mass: Sacrifice of Christ, Transubstantiation 5Extreme Unction: Last anointing 6Orders: Divine power & grace for office 7Matrimony: Union under church law 26

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ E. Unchanging Truth of Gospel: Seed of Kingdom Like seed, the original gospel always produces New Testament Christians 27 Luke 8:11Seed of Kingdom Matt. 28:18-20Unchanging Truth of Gospel Acts 2:38, 47Original Baptism, Church of Christ

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ E. Unchanging Truth of Gospel: Seed of Kingdom Like seed, the original gospel always produces New Testament Christians 28 Watermelon seed Gospel seed New Testament Christians, members of the church of Christ Catholic seed Members of Roman Catholic Church

IV. Gradual Departures from the Authority of Christ F. All Things We Preach & Practice Must Be Authorized by the New Testament Book, chapter, & verse General or specific terms Statement, example, or implication Divine silence forbids, excludes, & prohibits Speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silent Original church of Christ under his authority 29

Invitation: 1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive salvation 30

31 Matt. 28: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.