2. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics
FIRST PRINCIPLES OF
THE ORACLES
OF GOD
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

3. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Authority is established in the following ways:
A command or precept from God
Direct, expressed statements from God
Either positive or negative in nature
Where God has actually spoken…the “easiest” of the revealed methods to understand

4. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Authority is established in the following ways:
An approved example
Actions of 1st century saints who were under the direct guidance of Holy Spirit-led apostles
Either positive or negative in nature
Authoritative = they met with God’s approval
Ù “Biblical Precedents”

5. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Authority is established in the following ways:
A necessary inference
Inescapable conclusions one must come to when considering a passage of Scripture
A text teaches not only by what it states, but also by what it demands necessarily (unstated)

6. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
A command or precept from God
Positive commands from God
Abram was to leave Haran Gen 12:1
Hearers were to repent & be baptized Acts 2:38
Negative commands from God
Premeditated murder prohibited Ex 20:13

7. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
A command or precept from God
Positive commands from God
Abram was to leave Haran Gen 12:1
Hearers were to repent & be baptized Acts 2:38
Negative commands from God
Corrupt communication prohibited Eph 4:29

8. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Approved Examples
They must be binding to be authoritative
Not every example in the N.T. is authoritative
The determining factor is whether or not the example itself is incidental or essential to one obeying God

9. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Approved Examples
Incidental Examples Ù “Go preach the gospel”
Paul’s actions Acts 13:4-5
Philip’s actions Acts 8:29-35
Peter’s actions Acts 10:23-24, 33-43

10. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Approved Examples
Incidental Examples Ù
Some brethren’s actions Acts 2: :34-37
Other brethren’s actions 1 Tim 6:17-18
“Care for the needy”

11. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Approved Examples
Essential Examples Ù # of elders locally
Their appointment accomplished through gospel preaching Titus 1:5
The only way we know how many are to be in a local church is through an example Acts 14:23

12. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Approved Examples
Essential Examples Ù
The only way we know who may be helped from the treasury benevolently is by N.T. examples and actions directed by apostolic instruction
Nine passages constitute this teaching
Treasury Benevolence

13. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Necessary Inferences
The “inescapable conclusion” from 1 Cor 16:1-2 is to have a treasury into which the collected funds are to be placed
Necessary because we are commanded to give and the funds are to be kept somewhere

14. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Necessary Inferences
The “inescapable conclusion” from Acts 8:35-37 is the necessity of water baptism to salvation
Necessary because of the eunuch’s question… would he have asked had not Philip taught it?
Important because of efforts to minimize this

15. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B)
Establishing Biblical Authority
Necessary Inferences
Important point to remember…
Not all inferences are “necessary”
Illustrated in Heb 10:25
Necessary inference Ù a place to assemble
Unnecessary inference Ù actual church bldg.