1. AUTHORITY

2. Study on Authority Greek word EXOUSIA: “It is lawful; leave or permission, or liberty of doing as one pleases, it passed to that of the ability or strength which one is endued, the right to exercise power. Will & command must be obeyed.”

3. Thayer’s Greek-Lexicon Power of Choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; leave or permission. The ability or strength with which one is endued, he either possesses or exercises. The power of authority and of right. The power of rule or government.

4. Authority in the Religious Realm “ Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” Matthew 21:23

5. Two Sources of Authority Heaven—Divine Human—Men Not only must one have authority—they must get it from the proper source!

6. Authority of Christ John 16:13—All truth 1 Corinthians 1:10—Speak same thing 1 Corinthians 4:6—Not go beyond what is written Galatians 1:8-9—No other message 2 John 9-11—Abide in His doctrine

7. Authority of Christ Jude 3—delivered once. James 1:25—perfect law of liberty. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5—faith in God not men 1 Corinthians 2:9-13—revealed mind of God.

8. Claims—Son of God Hebrews 3:1—Apostle sent from God John 6:38 John 7:16-17 John 8:23 John 12:48-50 Sent from Father!

9. Greater than… John the Baptist—Luke 3:15-16 Moses—Matthew 17:5 Jonah—Matthew 12:41 Solomon—Matthew 12:42 Temple—Matthew 12:6 Lord of the Sabbath—Matthew 12:8

10. Other Claims Determiner of destiny—Luke 12:8-9; Matthew 7:24-27 Light of the World—John 8:12 Good Shepherd—John 10:14 Bread of Life—John 6:51 Way, Truth, & Life—John 14:6

11. Own Authority “I say unto you”—Matthew 5:22 Spoke words of God—John 3:34 Came directly from God—Matthew 21:23-46 His works—John 5:36 Forgive sins—Matthew 9:6 Fulfilled prophecies—Matthew 5:17-18 Sinless perfection—Hebrews 4:15

12. Message Expressed in Bible 2 Timothy 3:16-17 2 Peter 1:20-21 John 14:26 2 Peter 1:16 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

13. Bible is Inerrant Infallible and free from any error. Not a single contradiction. Complete harmony. Science—no mistake of science in the Bible. History—no inaccuracies.

14. Examples of History Hittities Joshua 1:4; 11:3; 12:8 1906 evidence found. Sargon II—King of Assyria Isaiah 20:1 Home found in 1906

15. Bible All Sufficient 2 Timothy 3:17—all good works. 2 Peter 1:3—All Things pertain to life & godliness Ephesians 3:3-5—read & understand Revelation 22:18-19—nothing added or subtracted

16. Questions of Life How did we get here? Genesis 1,2 Why are we here? Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Where are we going? Hebrews 9:27

17. Important Spiritual Question What must I do to be saved? Hear—Romans 10:17 Faith—Hebrews 11:6 Repent—Acts 17:30 Confess—Romans 10:9-10 Baptism—Mark 16:16

18. Important Spiritual Question? How do I live a good Christian life? Titus 2:11-12 Romans 12:1-2 Matthew 6:33 Colossians 3:1-2 2 Peter 1:5-10

19. What do we Need? No latter revelations. No creeds. No revisions Councils? Synods? Conference of men? 1 Peter 1:24-25

20. Bible—Standard of Judgment “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” John 12:48 Revelations 20:11-15 No creed will be used to judge men!

21. CONCLUSION HOW DO YOU VIEW THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST? ARE YOU SUBMITTING TO HIS AUTHORITY IN YOUR LIFE?

22. AUTHORITY

23. Authority of Christ? How Expressed? GENERAL “Go”—Mark 16:15 SPECIFIC “The gospel”—MARK 16:16

24. Three Ways Direct Statement— Luke 22:19-20 Approved Example— Acts 20:7 Necessary Inference— 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

25. What is Commanded? Acts 15:7-11 Gifts to Gentiles—Necessary Inference Preaching to Gentiles—Approved Example Known by God—Direct Statement

26. Law of Moses No implication—Silent No Example—Silent No Direct Statement—Silent Circumcision “Gave no such commandment” Acts 15:24

27. Silence of God—Liberty or Prohibitive? Where does the Bible forbid such actions: Baptize infants? Celebrate Easter & Xmas? Why not use instrumental music?

28. What is the Motivation? Liberty to act in a broader range. Where will it end? How could anything be forbidden? Who will draw the line?

29. Only Two Ways to Go Silence is liberty to act— Permitted to act Silence prohibits— Law of exclusion

30. New Testament 1 Peter 4:11—Speak as oracles of God 1 Corinthians 4:6—Don’t go beyond what is written. 2 John 9-11—lose fellowship with Father & Son

31. Different Approaches to Silence “While Luther was disposed to leave untouched what the Bible did not prohibit, Zwingli was more inclined to reject what the Bible did not enjoin.” –George P. Fisher, The Reformation, p.145

32. Different Approaches to Silence “ Luther said we may do what the Bible does not forbid. Zwingli said what the Bible does not command we may not do, and on that account he gave up all images and crosses in the churches…organs in the church were also given up…”Roland H. Bainton, The Church of our Fathers, pp.143,144

33. ClassSpecificExclude WoodsGopher wood Genesis 6:14 All other woods TribesLevi Hebrews 7:14 All other tribes Action--waterImmerse— Acts 2:38 All other actions MusicSing— Ephesians 5:19 All other music God is Specific

34. Aids & Additions CommandAidsAdditions SingBooks, leaderInstruments BaptizeBaptisterySprinkling Break BreadTrays, platesSaturday Preach gospel Radio, TVMiss. Society NeedyCare, medicine Bene. Society EdificationTeachersInstitution

35. Authority as Savior Perfect & Only— Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8-10 Submission to Him— Matthew 28:18-20 Pillar and ground of the truth— 1 Timothy 3:15 Head over all things— Ephesians 1:22-23 Delivered back to God— 1 Corinthians 15:24

36. False Standards of Authority Doctrines & practices of Old Testament Law Colossians 2:14-16 Ephesians 2:14-16 Galatians 3:23-25 Hebrews 7:12; 8:13

37. Examples of Old Law Tithing Sabbath keeping Feast Days Infant membership Instrumental Music

38. What the Preachers Says “Called by the Lord.” “Pastoring system.” Matthew 15:14 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 2 Timothy 4:1-2

39. Creeds of Men Manual Discipline Prayer Book Doctrines & procedures Matthew 15:8-9 Colossians 3:17

40. “ It does good, therefore it must be right.” End justify the means. Human standards of judgment Isaiah 5:20 Romans 3:8 1 Corinthians 6:12 Is it lawful?

41. Really…What about… David and his cart—2 Samuel 6:1- 11 Uzziah in the temple—2 Chronicles 26:16-20 Nadab & Abihu—Leviticus 10:1-2 Mechanical instruments Hamburger & coke on Lord’s table.

42. Some think today… Chili suppers Ice Cream Social Pancake Breakfast Car washes & bake sales Sponsoring bowling & softball teams Use the money to support preachers. What do you think?

43. “ Great men of the past favor our plan or practice.” Religious leaders of the past Charles H. Spurgeon Albert Barnes Adam Clark William Barclay Galatians 1:10

44. Desires of a local congregation Work by majority vote Democratic Exodus 32:1-6—Wanted gods before them 1 Samuel 8:5-19—Israel wanted a king 1 Samuel 15:13-24—King Saul kept the best What if “desires” are wrong?

45. “Other Religions are doing it.” Numbers being added Physical prosperity Big buildings Social gospel Entertainment Feeling of community

46. “ I had rather do wrong than do nothing.” Bible things—Bible ways Call Bible things—by Bible names Lesser of two evils? Assumption—there are only two choices!! Why not follow the “pattern” in God’s book? 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

47. Authority of Christ in Local Church Authority over Work & Mission Preach the gospel— 1 Timothy 3:15 Worship of God, edify saints— 1 Corinthians 14:26 Benevolence of needy saints— Acts 11:27-30

48. Authority over Worship Lord’s Supper—Acts 20:7 Giving—1 Corinthians 16:2 Prayer—Acts 2:42 Teach God’s Word—Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 4:2 Sing—Ephesians 5:19

49. Authority over Organization Elders, bishops, pastors, overseers, shepherds—Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-4 Deacons—1 Timothy 3:8-11 Evangelist, Preacher—Ephesians 4:11 Saints—Philippians 1:1 Women no leadership role—1 Timothy 2:12 Autonomous—Acts 14:23 No earthly headquarters

50. CONCLUSION HOW DO YOU VIEW THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST? IS IT IMPORTANT IN REGARD TO THE WORK, MISSION, AND ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH? WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF ACTING W/O AUTHORITY?