1. Don McClain 1

2. 2 Authority Romans 1:21-25

3. Don McClain 3 Colossians 3:17 Colossians 3:17 Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus... The Comprehensive Nature of The New Testament Scriptures  Understandable – Eph 3:3-5  Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim 3:16,17  Cannot Be Transgressed – 2 John 9  The totality of information revealed regarding any act of righteousness forms the pattern for that act – 2 Tim 1:13; 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:3;

4. Don McClain 4 Science of Interpreta tion The Inductive Method This method is the compilation of all references to the subject under consideration, including direct statements, approved actions, and necessary implications. When all the evidence is compiled and sifted through using the laws of communication, including contextual considerations, then the true meaning and the current application can be arrived at.

5. Don McClain 5 "Because of our tie to the _constitutional pattern approach_ we have grown farther and farther away from the intentions of the writers of the New Testament in our use of some of those writings...and farther and farther away from the legitimate cry of today's human heart." (Randy Mayeau, Nashville 12/88) ILoveJesus

6. Don McClain 6 "Over the years our position in churches of Christ has been that if we can restore the pattern of New Testament Christianity there will be unity among our churches. Our basis for restoring that pattern has centered around the three principles of Hermeneutics - These three principles of Hermeneutics have led us into a hard-line, _patternistic formalism_." (Bill Swetmon, Nashville 12/88) Bill Swetmon ILoveJesus

7. Don McClain 7 "inspired of God" than any other hermeneutic devised by men to aid in the interpretation of a written document. Personally, I think it is greatly flawed.... There are several who have suggested legitimate, and I believe far more valid, approaches to biblical hermeneutics. Bro. F. LeGard Smith, in one of his books, presented just such a hermeneutic. Al Maxey – 5-17-2001 Gospel Preachers List ILoveJesus Al Maxey The CENI (Command, Example, Necessary Inference) hermeneutic, contrary to the belief of some, did not fall directly from the throne room of God into the hands of men. It is no more

8. Don McClain 8 * Rules of a game – * Establishing Legal precedent – * Blue Prints in Construction – * Text Books – English – Science – Math - English – Science – Math -

9. Don McClain 9 The reader who comes to terms with an author and grasps his propositions and reasoning shares the author’s mind. In fact, the whole process of interpretation is directed toward a meeting of minds through the medium of language. (How To Read A Book; Adler & Van Doren, Pg 153)

10. Don McClain 10 –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context Science of Interpreta tion

11. Don McClain 11 Don’t think that if God had spoken in nothing but direct statements or commands that unity would exist -  Baptism – Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21  There is but one body, one faith – Ep. 4:4,5  Women to keep silent in the church – 1 Cor. 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:11,12  Fellowship halls (eating and entertainment halls)? 1 Cor 11:22,34

12. Don McClain 12 –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context –Approved Apostolic Example. Observation of Approved Activity of first Century Christians. –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context –Approved Apostolic Example. Observation of Approved Activity of first Century Christians. Science of Interpreta tion

13. Don McClain 13 Understanding Approved Examples Essential to Understanding and Abiding in God’s Divine Will. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

14. Don McClain 14 Understanding Approved Examples Essential to Understanding and Abiding in God’s Divine Will. example, pattern Philippians 3:17 – 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

15. Don McClain 15 Understanding Approved Examples Essential to Understanding and Abiding in God’s Divine Will. Philippians 4:9 and seen in meand Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

16. Don McClain 16 –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context –Approved Apostolic Example. Observation of Approved Activity of first Century Christians. –Necessary Implication. a logical and unavoidable conclusion drawn from statements or propositions. –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context –Approved Apostolic Example. Observation of Approved Activity of first Century Christians. –Necessary Implication. a logical and unavoidable conclusion drawn from statements or propositions. Science of Interpreta tion

17. Don McClain 17  Jesus in reassuring John the Baptist (Mt. 11:3-5)  Jesus and the resurrection of the dead (Mt. 22:31-33; Lk. 20:37- 40)  Jesus about the humanity and deity of the Messiah (Mt. 22:41- 46)  Preaching the man involves preaching the plan (Acts 8:35-36)

18. Don McClain 18 Direct Statement – The elements of the Lord’s Supper – Jesus took bread,... 27Then He took the cup, (Luke 22:18 Fruit of the vine) Example – When to observe the Lord’s supper - Upon the first day of the week - Acts 20:7 Implication – Frequency of observance – Every first day – “When the disciples came together to break bread” – Acts 20:7; (Ex 20:10)

19. Don McClain 19 Jesus used these principles to establish His teachings as authoritative on the subject of divorce – Mat. 19:4-6  Example –  Made them male and female - (Gen. 1:27)  Direct statement –  Man shall leave and cleave & be one flesh – (Gen. 2:24) *Implication – God joined – (cf Mal 2:14) *Necessary Inference -  What God has joined together, let not man separate!” (Mat. 19:6)

20. Don McClain 20  James appealed to direct statements. vs. 14-19  Paul referenced how God exemplified His will. v. 12  Peter argued by the implications of what God did. vs. 7-11; (cf. Acts 10,11) The apostles used these principles to establish the truth on the subject of circumcision Acts 15:7-19

21. Don McClain 21 –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context –Approved Apostolic Example. Observation of Approved Activity of first Century Christians. –Necessary Implication. a logical and unavoidable conclusion drawn from statements or propositions. –Direct Command or Statement. Must Examine Context –Approved Apostolic Example. Observation of Approved Activity of first Century Christians. –Necessary Implication. a logical and unavoidable conclusion drawn from statements or propositions. Science of Interpreta tion

22. Don McClain 22  We must recognize the importance of establishing Divine authority for ALL we do!!  The Bible – (specifically the NT), is the ONLY source from whence Divine authority can be established  By compiling all references to the subject under consideration and by using the basic laws of communication, including contextual considerations, then the true meaning and the current application can be arrived at.  What is your attitude towards the need to establish authority for all that you do?

23. Don McClain 23 Heaven Matthew 7:13,14,21-23

24. Don McClain 24

25. Don McClain25 –Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Ex. 20:8 Implication: every Sabbath –went up straightway out of the water. Matt. 3:16 Implication: went down into the water. –arise.. be baptized and wash away thy sins. Acts 22:16 Implication: not yet forgiven until baptism. Authority Understanding Implication Essential to Abiding in God’s Divine Will. (The Doctrine of Christ)

26. Don McClain26 Direct statements often contain unavoidable conclusions although not directly stated - I Am the God of Abraham, of Isaac and Jacob” – (Mat. 22:32) Implication - The Resurrection “blind receive sight, lame walk, gospel preached.” (Mt. 11:1-6) Implication - Jesus was the promised Christ – “Man your sins are forgiven you” – (Luke 5:20-24) Before Abraham was “I Am” – (John 8:58) Implication - The Deity of Christ – Authority

27. Don McClain27 Making Application: –Faith in Christ. Authority Authority By What Authority Do You Do These Things Hebrews 11 & James 2:19 Emphatically implies a certain kind of faith in salvation. many of them... believed. Acts 4:4 I believe Jesus is... Acts 8:37 he that believeth. Mark 16:16 if ye believe not. John 8:24 Direct Statement Example

28. Don McClain28 Making Application: –Repentance. Authority Authority By What Authority Do You Do These Things Implication that repentance is more than a change of mind. Brought their books and burned them. Acts 19:19 Simon told to repent. Acts 8:22-24 The Corinthians - 2 Corinthians 7:9 except ye repent. Luke 13:3 All Men everywhere – Acts 17:30 Direct Statement Example

29. Don McClain29 Making Application: –Confession of Faith. Authority Authority By What Authority Do You Do These Things John 12:42 Emphatically implies this is more than speaking to one’s self. Chief rulers believed,... but did not confess. I believe that Jesus is... Acts 8:37 Confess me. Matt. 10:32 Direct Statement Example

30. Don McClain30 Making Application: –Baptism for the remission of sins. Authority Authority By What Authority Do You Do These Things Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3-6; Gal. 3:27; Col.. 2:12 Emphatically implies obedience to gospel in baptism is when one receives the forgiveness of sin, and enters into a new relationship in Christ. he.. is baptized Mark 16:16 he baptized him... Acts 8:38 Direct Statement Example

31. Don McClain31 Making Application: –The Mode of Baptism Authority Authority By What Authority Do You Do These Things Rom. 6:3-6; Col.. 2:12; John 3:23 Emphatically implies that the proper and only mode of baptism is immersion. Rom. 6:3-6; Col.. 2:12; John 3:23 Emphatically implies that the proper and only mode of baptism is immersion. Buried with Him through baptism, (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12) Went down – came up Acts 8:38,39 Direct Statement Example

32. Don McClain32 The Lord’s Supper Direct Statement – –The elements of the Lord’s Supper – Jesus took bread,... 27 Then He took the cup, (Luke 22:18 Fruit of the vine) Example – –When to observe the Lord’s supper Upon the first day of the week - Acts 20:7 Implication – –Frequency of observance – Every first day – “When the disciples came together to break bread” – Acts 20:7; (Ex 20:10) Direct Statement – –The elements of the Lord’s Supper – Jesus took bread,... 27 Then He took the cup, (Luke 22:18 Fruit of the vine) Example – –When to observe the Lord’s supper Upon the first day of the week - Acts 20:7 Implication – –Frequency of observance – Every first day – “When the disciples came together to break bread” – Acts 20:7; (Ex 20:10)