How Scriptural Authority Can Be Established

TEXT: Gal. 1:6-9; 2 John 9-11; Col. 3:17.

INTRODUCTION:

A. THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING AND TEACHING NOTHING FOR WHICH

THERE IS NO SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY.

B. OUR AIM: "SPEAK WHERE THE BIBLE SPEAKS, BE SILENT WHERE THE

BIBLE IS SILENT."

C. HOW CAN SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY BE ESTABLISHED?

I. GOD SPEAKS TODAY THROUGH JESUS( Heb. 1:1-2 ).

A. HE HAS ALL AUTHORITY( Matt. 28:18 ).

B. THE APOSTLES' TEACHING IS HIS, THEY TEACH WITH AUTHORITY

( Matt. 16:19 ).

C. TO REJECT THEM IS TO REJECT JESUS AND GOD( Luke 10:16 ).

II. HOW DO THE WRITINGS OF THE APOSTLES, THE NEW TESTAMENT, TEACH?

A. By Precept - A direct command or statement.

B. By Divinely Approved Example - By this we mean the practice of the

church in the New Testament under apostolic guidance and which the apostles

had received from the Lord, and therefore by divine guidance.

C. By Inference - That which though neither expressly stated nor specifically

exemplified yet is necessarily implied by the clear import and meaning of the

language used

D. Let’s notice some illustrations:

LORD’S SUPPER CHURCH MUSIC

Precept 1 Cor. 11:23, Observe Eph. 5:19, Sing

Example Acts 20:7, When to take Acts 16:25, Sing

Inference* Acts 20:7, Frequency 2 John 9, Sing only

*Which first day is not specified, like which Sabbath day was not.

Every Sabbath was to be observed. Every first day is to be observed.

III. THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF AUTHORITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:

A. Generic - Includes any thing, method, or means of execution that comes

within the same order or class of the precept, example or inference –

INCLUDES! Where God has not been specific.

B. Specific - Excludes everything, method or means of execution that comes

within the same order or class which is not particularly specified in the

precept, example, inference. EXCLUDES! God has specified.

C. Generic Authority Illustrated:

1. Mat. 28:19-20. "Go!" How? "Teach!" What method?

"Baptize!" Where?

2. Heb. 10:25. "Assemble!" God did not specify, man must

choose for himself.

3. Eph. 5:19. "Sing!" From a book? Memory? Overhead?

God didn’t specify, man cannot bind.

4. Whatever expedient is chosen, it must not violate any law or principle

found in the New Testament.

D. Specific Authority Illustrated:

1. Noah’s Ark( Gen. 6:14 ). Gopher wood excludes oak.

2. Lord’s Supper( Mat. 26:26-29 ). Unleavened bread and

fruit of the vine excludes pie and ice cream.

Acts 20:7 excludes Monday observance.

3. Music( Eph. 5:19 ). Sing excludes other kinds of music.

CONCLUSION:

A. WE MUST ESTABLISH SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR ALL WE DO.

B. GOD HAS GIVEN US A PATTERN FOR SALVATION, OUR LIVES, AND

THE CHURCH.