2. Introduction : 1. Acts 4:12 : Authority and salvation is in only one name: we must submit to receive salvation

3. “ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

4. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. ” Matthew 28:18-20

5. Introduction : 2. To understand and apply the authority of Christ: I. Authority to Christ Expressed in Scripture II. Authority of Christ as Savior III. Authority of Christ in Local Church

6. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior A. The Perfect and Only Savior * Supreme Sacrifice for Sinners

7. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ” Romans 5:8-10 * Supreme Sacrifice for Sinners

8. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior A. The Perfect and Only Savior * No Other Savior Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

9. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior B. Saved in Submission to Him * Men of All Nations Must Submit

10. “ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you ; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” Matthew 28:19,20 * Men of All Nations Must Submit

11. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things * One Head Over One Body Ephesians 1:22,23 “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

12. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things * Universal Church: All Saved Individuals in the Gospel Age Ephesians 4:4 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.”

13. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things * Local Church: All Saved Individuals in One Place Bonded Together to Work and Worship Acts 9:26 “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples ; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.”

14. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things * Local Church: All Saved Individuals in One Place Bonded Together to Work and Worship Romans 16:16 “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.”

15. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things * Local Church: All Saved Individuals in One Place Bonded Together to Work and Worship Acts 20:31 “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

16. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things * Local Church: All Saved Individuals in One Place Bonded Together to Work and Worship Acts 18:11 “And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

17. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things * Local Church: All Saved Individuals in One Place Bonded Together to Work and Worship Ephesians 4:11 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.”

18. 2. Authority of Christ as Savior C. Head Over His Church in All Things * Will Deliver His Kingdom to Heaven 1 Corinthians 15:24 “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.”

19. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission * Preach the Gospel 1 Timothy 3:15 “But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

20. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission * Preach the Gospel 2 Timothy 4:2,3 “ Preach the word ! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...”

21. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission * Worship and Edify the Saints 1 Corinthians 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”

22. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission * Worship and Edify the Saints Acts 20:32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

23. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission * Benevolence of Needy Saints Acts 6:1 “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.”

24. “ And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.” Acts 11:27,28 * Benevolence of Needy Saints

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

26. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship * 1 st Day of the Week: Lord’s Supper 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.”

27. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship * 1 st Day of the Week: Giving 1 Corinthians 16:2 “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.”

28. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship * Pray Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

29. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship * Teaching God’s Word Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

30. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church B. Authority Over Its Worship * Sing Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

31. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization * Leadership: Elders (Presbyters) Pastors (Shepherds) Bishops (Overseers) Acts 14:23 “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

32. * Leadership: Elders (Presbyters) Pastors (Shepherds) Bishops (Overseers) Acts 20:27,28 “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

33. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization * Deacons Serve Acts 6:2,3 “ Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

34. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization * Evangelists (Preachers) Teachers who Instruct Ephesians 4:11 “ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.”

35. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization * All Saints Participate in Work and Worship Philippians 1:1 “ Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”

36. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization * Women Not Exercise Lead Over the Men 1 Timothy 2:12 “ And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.”

37. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization * Each Local Church Independent, Autonomous (No “Mother” Church, No “Satellite” Church) Acts 14:23 “ So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

38. III. Authority of Christ in Local Church C. Authority Over Its Organization * No Earthly Headquarters * No Central or Universal Organization Philippians 3:20 “ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

39. I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture D. All things We Preach and Practice Must Be Authorized by the New Testament Book, chapter and 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

40. Invitation: 1. Matthew 11:28-30 : Christ proclaimed his authority: We must submit to receive salvation THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

41. “ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. ” Matthew 11:28-30