Transcript God And Authority The power to enforce obedience, right to command or act. God Jesus Holy Spirit To act with authority is to act by the order or instruction of one who.

God And Authority
The power to
enforce obedience,
right to command
or act.
God
Jesus
Holy Spirit
To act with
authority is to
act by the order
or instruction of
one who has
legal or rightful
power.
Apostles
Word
Faith
We must
recognize
the need for
authority and
have respect
for authority
once it is
established.
Heb 11:6
“Without faith it
is impossible to
please God…”
(2 John 1:9) Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the
doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the
doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. (NKJV)
Study of Authority
 Authority in religion is not a luxury.
It is critical to please God.
 Authority comes from one of two
sources: God or man.
 God’s silence is not permission.
 Authority can be established by…
1. Direct Command
2. Approved Apostolic Example
3. Necessary Inference (Forced
Conclusion)
The Work of the Church
1. Evangelism
– Preaching and teaching of the
gospel
2. Edification
– Nurture, build up and encourage
the saints
3. Benevolence
– Ministering to the needs of saints
Evangelism
Evangelism actually means…
– “…Good News”
– An evangelist is one who proclaims good
news.
2. Universal Need - (Romans 3:23) for all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, (NKJV)
3. God’s Good News - (Romans 1:16-17) For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for
everyone who believes, for the Jew first and
also for the Greek. For in it the
righteousness of God is revealed from faith
to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by
faith." (NKJV)
1.
The Church Is God’s Agency In
This Work Of Evangelism
•
Authority for such a work:
– A direct statement:
•
(1 Timothy 3:15) The church is the
foundation and support of the Truth;
She holds up and displays the gospel
to the world. This is the major work of
the church.
– An approved apostolic example:
•
•
The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas
to Antioch. (Acts 11:22)
Church at Philippi had fellowship with
Paul. (Phil. 1:3)
How the Church did its Work
of Evangelism.
• Individuals went out (Acts 8:4; 5:42; 8:5;
9:22,29)
– Each Christian has the responsibility to teach the word
to the best of his ability; and to increase his ability to
teach.
– The emphasis in the New Testament is upon the
individual, but the church as a unit (local church) has a
responsibility apart from that of the individual.
– In the local church there should be teaching designed
to instruct and encourage personal evangelism.
How the Church did its Work
of Evangelism.
• The local church supported a gospel
preacher. (1 Cor. 9:14; 2 Cor. 11:8)
– He may be supported while he preaches in that
area, since he is worthy of his hire, and should live
of the gospel. Though Paul did not allow Corinth to
support him while he was there, he later asked
them to forgive him this wrong. (2 Cor. 12:13)
– The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to Antioch.
(Acts 11:22)
How the Church did its Work
of Evangelism.
• The local church may support a man while he
preaches in another area.
– Philippi had fellowship in the gospel with Paul (Phil.
1:3-5; 2:25; 4:14-18) They sent to Paul at
Thessalonica (4:16) and at Rome.
• Several churches may support the same
preacher.
– (II Cor. 11:8,9) Brethren in Macedonia supported Paul
while he was at Corinth.
– More than one church sent to him. This is church
cooperation in the support of a gospel preacher.
A Study of the Pattern
1. Each church gave as it could.
2. Each church sent directly to the preacher. (Where
the need was!)
Church
Preacher
A Study of the Pattern
Church
Church
Church
Several churches may
support the same preacher.
(2 Cor. 11:8,9)
Preacher
Things not found in the
Pattern (Sponsoring Church)
No church ever sent money
to or through another
church for preaching. Money
was always sent directly to
the preacher.
Church
Church
Church
Preacher
Church
This agency destroys equality
and brings subordination.
What difference does it
make? One is in the New
Testament and one is not.
Elders: Oversight Limited to
the Local Church.
Independent
Equal
• Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in
which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed
the church of the Lord which he purchased with his
own blood. (Acts 20:28)
• 1 Peter 5:2,3 Tend the flock of God which is among
you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but
willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy
lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over
the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves
ensamples to the flock.
Autonomous
Sufficient
When Does it Become Wrong?
Can 1 Church ?
Can 500 ?
Can 1,000 ?
Can 2,000 ?
Sponsoring
Church
Herald of Truth
Can 5,000 ?
(Elders)
World Bible School
Can All Churches ?
Evangelism
Radio and TV
One Nation Under God
What is wrong with this arrangement? How many
churches can participate before it becomes wrong?
Things not found in the
Pattern (Missionary Society)
• It is an organization apart from the church
which exists without divine authority.
• “Brotherhood preaching programs” such as
the Herald of Truth are nothing more than
“Missionary Societies”.
• These things violate the principle of
congregational autonomy.
• These are unlawful to begin with and so
cannot be an expedient.
Things Learned
• The church in the apostolic days engaged in the
work of evangelism.
– The local church may support a preacher.
– The local church may send out a man to preach in
another city.
– Many churches may send to the same preacher.
– NOTE: In the New Testament the church sent directly to
the one in need. There was never another organization
standing between the church and the preacher: there
was never another church standing between the church
that sent and the preacher who was supported.
Who is Causing Division?
Is it those who oppose human
inventions or those who introduce
them?
Who is driving the Wedge?
Missionary Society
Mechanical Music
Benevolent Society
Church of Christ
Centralized Elderships
Not One in Existence 170 Years Ago!
WE Must Follow the N.T.
Pattern.
• Each church bears the same responsibility in preaching the
gospel to the best of its ability. The church with 500
members would preach the gospel to the best of its ability,
but so should the church of 50 members.
• Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of
Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the
same hath both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)
• Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the
name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father through
him. (Colossians 3:17)
• 1 Peter 4:11 “Speak as the Oracles of God”
“We must speak where the
Bible speaks, and be silent
where the Bible is silent.”
This is the only way to truly glorify
God in all we do!
The Work Of Evangelism
1.
2.
3.
(1 Timothy 3:15) but if I am delayed, I write so that
you may know how you ought to conduct yourself
in the house of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
(NKJV)
(Ephesians 3:10) to the intent that now the manifold
wisdom of God might be made known by the
church to the principalities and powers in the
heavenly places, (NKJV)
(Ephesians 3:21) to Him be glory in the church
by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and
ever. Amen. (NKJV)
In Order For Something To Be
Expedient:
1. Expedients (or Aids) must be LAWFUL
(1 Cor. 10:23)
2. Cannot be SPECIFIC.
3. Must EDIFY (1 Cor. 10:23-33; 14:26)
4. Must not OFFEND (cause to stumble)
conscience of a brother. (1 Cor. 10:32;
8:7-13)
Resources
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Charts by Ferrell Jenkins
Charts by James P. Needham
Outline by Ben Holt
Outline by Donnie Rader
Outline by Jim Deason
Outline by Gary Henry
Outline by Mark Copeland
Key Passages About Authority
• (Colossians 3:17) And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
God the Father through Him. (NKJV)
• (1 Corinthians 10:31-33) Therefore, whether you eat or
drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give
no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the
church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not
seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may
be saved. (NKJV)
• (1 Corinthians 4:6) Now these things, brethren, I have
figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes,
that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is
written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one
against the other. (NKJV)