1. God has Spoken A study of Bible Authority How to Establish Bible Authority

2. 2 God’s Word is Enough God’s ways, revealed in God’s word, are sufficient to accomplish God’s purposes, 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:2-3 God’s ways, revealed in God’s word, are sufficient to accomplish God’s purposes, 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:2-3 But, how do we know what is authorized & what is not? (Col. 3:17) But, how do we know what is authorized & what is not? (Col. 3:17)

3. 3 A Pattern to Follow God’s pattern, Heb. 8:5 God’s pattern, Heb. 8:5 Everywhere in every church, 1 Cor. 4:17 Everywhere in every church, 1 Cor. 4:17 Understand, Eph. 3:3-4 Understand, Eph. 3:3-4 Use correctly, 2 Tim. 2:15 Use correctly, 2 Tim. 2:15 “Hold fast the pattern of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13)

4. 4 How to Establish Bible Authority Command (Direct statement) Command Go preach; Believes & is baptized, Mk. 16:15-16 Go preach; Believes & is baptized, Mk. 16:15-16 Observe the Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor. 11:24-25 Observe the Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor. 11:24-25

5. 5 How to Establish Bible Authority Apostolic Approved Example Apostolic Imitate me (“become”)… my ways in Christ, 1 Cor. 4:16-17 Imitate me (“become”)… my ways in Christ, 1 Cor. 4:16-17 Commanded to follow apostolic example, 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 4:9 Commanded to follow apostolic example, 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 4:9

6. 6 How to Establish Bible Authority Apostolic Approved Example Apostolic The consistent pattern of practice under apostolic teaching & guidance (Acts 2:42)

7. 7 How to Establish Bible Authority Apostolic Approved Example Apostolic When to eat the Lord’s Supper, (1 Cor. 11:20, 33) Acts 20:7 When to eat the Lord’s Supper, (1 Cor. 11:20, 33) Acts 20:7

8. 8 How to Establish Bible Authority NecessaryInferenceNecessaryInference Necessary conclusion based on given information, cf. Matt. 3:16 Necessary conclusion based on given information, cf. Matt. 3:16 How often to eat Lord’s Supper, Acts 20:7 (Exo. 20:8) How often to eat Lord’s Supper, Acts 20:7 (Exo. 20:8)

9. 9 How to Establish Bible Authority NecessaryInferenceNecessaryInference Merely a reasonable inference, Jno. 21:21-23 Merely a reasonable inference, Jno. 21:21-23 Merely what we want to conclude, Matt. 12:24 (14); Jno. 7:24 Merely what we want to conclude, Matt. 12:24 (14); Jno. 7:24 NOTNOT

10. How to Establish Bible Authority NecessaryInferenceNecessaryInference Jesus used it, Matt. 22:31-32 (29); 19:3-6 Jesus used it, Matt. 22:31-32 (29); 19:3-6 Inspired writers used it, Heb. 7:12-14 Inspired writers used it, Heb. 7:12-14 Jesus expects us to correctly use it, Lk. 12:54-59; Mk. 2:9-11 (Jno. 9:30-33) Jesus expects us to correctly use it, Lk. 12:54-59; Mk. 2:9-11 (Jno. 9:30-33) No escape

11. 11 Man-Made or God Approved? Direct statement Direct statement Apostolic approved example Apostolic approved example Necessary inference Necessary inference Direct statement Direct statement Apostolic approved example Apostolic approved example Necessary inference Necessary inference Apostolic example, 15:7-11 Apostolic example, 15:7-11 Necessary inference, 15:12 (14:3) Necessary inference, 15:12 (14:3) Direct statement of Scripture, 15:13-19 Direct statement of Scripture, 15:13-19 Acts 15:6-21

12. 12 Man-Made or God Approved? Direct statement Direct statement Apostolic approved example Apostolic approved example Necessary inference Necessary inference Direct statement Direct statement Apostolic approved example Apostolic approved example Necessary inference Necessary inference Any one is enough to establish authority Any one is enough to establish authority Frequency of Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) Frequency of Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) Frequency of giving (1 Cor. 16:2) Frequency of giving (1 Cor. 16:2) Acts 15:6-21

13. 13 Bible Authority God-approved way (Heaven’s authority) God-approved way (Heaven’s authority) All in the name of the Lord, Col. 3:17 All in the name of the Lord, Col. 3:17 Do the will of the Father, Matt. 7:21-23 Do the will of the Father, Matt. 7:21-23