APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY

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APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY

• 1. THE APOSTLES HAD THE AUTHORITY TO SPEAK FOR
  GOD
• 2. THE APOSTOLIC TEACHING WAS FOLLOWED
• 3. CHURCHES WERE SET IN ORDER BY APOSTOLIC
  AUTHORITY
• 4. GOD INTENDED THAT APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY BE
  FOLLOWED
• 5. FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANS UNDERSTOOD APOSTOLIC
  AUTHORITY
• 6. THE APOSTLES TAUGHT THE SAME THINGS IN ALL THE
  CHURCHES

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I Cor. 417 For this reason I have sent
Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful
son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways
in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
UNIFORMITY IN N. T. CHURCHES FOLLOWING APOSTOLIC
INTENT
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I Cor. 717 But as God has distributed to each
one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him
walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
UNIFORMITY IN N. T. CHURCHES FOLLOWING APOSTOLIC
INTENT
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I Cor. 1116 But if any man seem to be
contentious, we have no such custom, neither the
churches of God.
UNIFORMITY IN N. T. CHURCHES FOLLOWING APOSTOLIC
INTENT
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I Cor. 161 Now concerning the collection for
the saints, as I have given orders to the
churches of Galatia, so you must do also
UNIFORMITY IN N. T. CHURCHES FOLLOWING APOSTOLIC
INTENT
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APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY

• 1. THE APOSTLES HAD THE AUTHORITY TO SPEAK FOR
  GOD
• 2. THE APOSTOLIC TEACHING WAS FOLLOWED
• 3. CHURCHES WERE SET IN ORDER BY APOSTOLIC
  AUTHORITY
• 4. GOD INTENDED THAT APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY BE
  FOLLOWED
• 5. FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANS UNDERSTOOD APOSTOLIC
  AUTHORITY
• 6. THE APOSTLES TAUGHT THE SAME THINGS IN ALL THE
  CHURCHES
• 7. WE ASK QUESTIONS AND LOOK FOR APOSTOLIC ANSWERS

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A New Testament Church

• An organization Phil. 11 Acts 1423 I Tim.
  31ff Titus 15ff.
• An Assembly Heb. 1025 I Cor. 1115
• Taught Acts 207 I Cor. 1415
• Prayed Acts 125 I Cor. 1419
• Sang Eph. 519 Col. 316
• Lords Supper on 1st Day Acts 207 I Cor.
  1120
• Gave on 1st Day I Cor. 161,2 Acts 244-45
• Treasury Acts 51-4
• Relieved Needy Saints Acts 434-35 1129-30
  I Cor. 161
• Supported Preaching 2 Cor. 118 Phil. 415-16
• Disciplined Unruly Members I Cor. 51-5

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ACTS 242-47

• 42 They were continually devoting themselves to
  the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the
  breaking of bread and to prayers.
• 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe and many
  wonders and signs were taking place through the
  apostles.
• 44 And all those who had believed were together
  and had all things in common

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ACTS 242-47

• 45 and they began selling their property and
  possessions and were sharing them with all, as
  anyone might have need.
• 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the
  temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
  they were taking their meals together with
  gladness and sincerity of heart,
• 47 praising God and having favor with all the
  people. And the Lord was adding to their number
  day by day those who were being saved.

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SATIRE ACTS 242-47(from www.sacredsandwich.com)

• 42 And they were continually devoting themselves
  to the apostles new bestsellers
• and to small group meetings, to the eating of
  Krispy Kreme donuts in the church foyer
• and to contemplative spirituality.
• 43 And everyone kept feeling the bass from the
  praise and worship rock band
• and many video clips and light shows were taking
  place through the apostles.

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SATIRE ACTS 242-47

• 44 And all those who had believed were together
  at three different services,
• and had casual attire in common
• 45 and they began selling their stocks and bonds,
  and were giving the proceeds to the building
  campaign, as the church might have need.

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SATIRE ACTS 242-47

• 46 And day by day continuing with one vision in
  the new million-dollar sanctuary,
• and sending church mailers from house to house,
• they were having celebration dinners together
  with gladness and self-esteem in the heart,
• 47 praising God, and finding favor with all the
  peoples felt needs.
• And the Lordwas adding to their number day by
  day those who were finding purpose.

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Liberalism

• To require Bible authority for everything we
  teach and practice is legalistic, not spiritual.

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Who Is Spiritual?Those who obey God!
Mark 1229-30 Jesus answered, The most
important is, Hear, O Israel The Lord our God,
the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your
God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind and with all your
strength.
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Who Is Spiritual?Those who obey God!
John 1415 If you love me you will keep my
commandments. 1 John 24-5 - The one who says,
I have come to know Him, and does not keep His
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
him but whoever keeps His word, in him the love
of God has truly been perfected. 1 John 53 -
For this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments.
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Who Is Spiritual?Those who obey God!
Eccl. 1213-14 Let us hear the conclusion of
the whole matter Fear God and keep His
commandments for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment,
with every secret thing, whether it be good or
evil.
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Who Is Spiritual?Those who obey God!
1 Cor. 1437-38 If anyone thinks he is a
prophet or spiritual, let him understand that the
things which I write to you are the Lords
commandment, But if anyone does not recognize
this, he is not recognized.
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What Would Jesus Do?He would obey His Father!
Mark 1436 Abba! Father! All things are
possible for You remove this cup from Me yet
not what I will, but what You will.  Heb. 58
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from
the things which He suffered. John 434 My
food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to
finish His work. John 829 The Father has not
left Me alone, for I always do those things that
please Him.
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How Do WeUnderstand WHAT IS Authorized By
Christ And WHAT IS NOT?
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I. God Must Speak On A Matter For It To Be
Authorized.
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God Must Speak
Paul said that the Scriptures contain everything
necessary to make a man complete, thoroughly
furnished unto every good work 2
Timothy 316-17
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God Must Speak
Peter said that God has given us everything
pertaining to life and godliness.
2 Peter 13
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God Must Speak
If a practice has no Thus saith the Lord to
authorize it, then 1) it does not pertain to a
godly life. 2) it is not a good work in the
sight of God, no matter how good it
may appear to man.
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God Must Speak
To justify a religious practice by saying God
didnt tell us NOT TO is to change the meaning
of authority.
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1 Peter 411
If anyone speaks, let him SPEAK AS THE ORACLES OF
GOD that in all things God may be glorified.
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2 John 9-11
Anyone who goes too far and DOES NOT ABIDE IN THE
DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, does not have God
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Hebrews 714
For it is evident that our Lord was descended
from Judah, a tribe with reference to which
Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
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Matthew 159
But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as
doctrines THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.
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When God Speaks, He Authorizes By Direct
Statements Approved Examples Necessary
Implications
We compile everything God says on a subject, and
discover what God has authorized. Note We
understand authority this way in every area of
life.
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III. When God Speaks, He Is Specific And Generic.
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How Authority Works
NOAH BUILDS AN ARKGenesis 613-22
Specified ark gopher wood dimensions
Violation different type boat different type
wood different dimensions
Generic Expedients what tools to usehow many
hours a day to work
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Specific Authority
EXCLUDES CHOICEWhere God has been specific, we
MAY NOT substitute with a different KIND or TYPE
of the thing specified. Additions are
unauthorized.
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How Authority Works
Go down to Smiths grocery store and buy a loaf
of whole wheat bread.
Specified Smiths grocery One loaf Whole
wheat Just bread
Violation different store different
number different type bread different food - candy
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Generic Authority
INCLUDES CHOICEWhere God has NOT been specific
about how to carry out His will, we are FREE to
make a lawful choice that helps us to carry it
out. Expedients are authorized.
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How Authority Works
Go down to Smiths grocery store and buy a loaf
of whole wheat bread.
Specified Smiths grocery One loaf Whole
wheat Just bread
Violation different store different
number different type bread different food - candy
Generic Expedients How to go How to pay
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How Authority Works
BE BAPTIZEDActs 238 Rom. 63-4
Specified for forgiveness of sins immerse in
water must believe repent
Violation different reason - symbol different
mode - pour different subject - infant
Generic Expedients river, pool, baptistrywho
does the baptizing
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How Authority Works
LORDS SUPPER1 Cor. 1117-33 Acts 207
Specified fruit of the vine unleavened bread 1st
day of week
Violation different type drink different type
food different time frame
Generic Expedients one cup or many, type of
grain morning or eve
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How Authority Works
ASSEMBLE1 Cor. 1117 Acts 207 Heb. 1025
Specified Lords Supper Preaching/Teaching Encoura
gement
Violation different type activity different type
activity different type activity
Generic Expedients WHERE TO ASSEMBLE rent a
place, someones home, purchase a building
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How Authority Works
SINGING IN WORSHIPEph. 519 Col. 316 1 Cor.
1415
Specified spiritual hymns, psalms sing melody in
heart
Violation different type songs different type
music different type melody
Generic Expedients 4-part harmony, song books,
pitch pipe
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1 Peter 411
If anyone speaks, let him SPEAK AS THE ORACLES OF
GOD that in all things God may be glorified.
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Have You Obeyed The Gospel?
Hear the Gospel (Rom. 1017) Believe that Jesus
is the Son of God (Acts 837) Repent of Your
Sins (Acts 238) Confess that Jesus is the Son
of God (Acts 837) Be Baptized for Forgiveness
of Sins (Acts 238) Live Faithfully until You
Die (Rev. 210)
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The Doctrinal QuestionIs Circumcision
Required?
ACTS 15 IS THE BIBLICAL MODELfor how to
discover Gods authority.
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The apostles, eldersand entire church became
of one mind on the issue.
Acts 1525 it seemed good to us, having become
of one mind, to select men to send to you
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Acts 15 The Apostles Discover Gods Authority

• Peter appealed to an example of Gods approval of
  the Gentiles and drew an inescapable conclusion
  (vs. 7-11)
• Paul appealed to an example of Gods approval of
  the Gentiles and drew an inescapable conclusion
  (v. 12)
• James appealed to a direct statement of Gods
  approval of the Gentiles and drew an inescapable
  conclusion (vs. 13-21)

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Based On ALL Of The Evidence, James Discovered
Gods Absolute Truth
Acts 1519 Therefore it is my
judgment that we do not trouble those who are
turning to God from among the Gentiles
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The Apostles Said Dont Act Unless God Speaks
Acts 1524 to whom we gave no such
instruction God never commanded Christians to
be circumcised. This false teaching crept in
because men were speaking without Christs
authority.