1
Comfort Doctrines

• A teaching which is designed to give comfort and
  remove the fear of consequences to one who
  refuses to repent of some sinful activity.

2
Comfort Doctrines (8)

• The Bible doesnt say that (2)(watering down
  Gods word)

3
Changing the Word of God

• Integrity of the Bible questionedDenying
  inspirationScripture has been corruptedGallup
  poll, May 2011, Only 30 Believe Bible is
  literal word of God, 49 - inspired but not
  literal

4
Watering down the Word of God

• The authority of the Bible is questioned
  Outdated , Changing methods of establishing
  authority, Reliance on silence emotions
• Taking verses out of context or redefining terms
  always in their favor

5
The Bible IS accurate relevant

• It is inspiredIt is without errorIt is relevant
• The integrity of the text has been verified and
  is very accurate

6
Today

• How do we establish authority?
• What about silence?
• Are emotions a valid appeal in determining what
  we do?

7
Bible Authority

• What is authority?
• The right to command or direct and enforce
  obedience or administer punishment Roy E
  Cogdill, Walking by Faith
• Permission

8
Bible Authority

• Do we truly respect Gods word?
• God has given us a pattern 2 Tim. 113, cf.
  Heb. 85, Phil. 317
• Respecting His pattern is the only SAFE way to
  ensure God is pleased!

9
How to Establish Bible Authority

• Direct command a specific statement that either
  instructs us to do something or prohibits us from
  doing something.

10
How to Establish Bible Authority

• Direct command
• Examples - Ex. 201-17 the 10 commandmentsMark
  1615-16, Col. 312-13, 16, 9Lists Gal. 519,
  1 Cor. 69-11, 2 Pet. 15-7

11
How to Establish Bible Authority

• Approved example examples that demonstrate God
  approved specific conduct. Usually deals with HOW
  something is done.

12
How to Establish Bible Authority

• Approved example
• Commanded to follow examples - John 1315, Phil.
  317, Heb. 411, Jas. 510
• Acts 207 when L.S.1 Cor. 161-2 when giving

13
How to Establish Bible Authority

• Necessary inference reaching an unavoidable
  conclusion when all facts are considered.That
  which, though neither expressly stated nor
  specifically exemplified, yet is necessarily
  implied by the clear import and meaning of the
  language used. Roy E Cogdill, Walking by Faith

14
How to Establish Bible Authority

• Necessary inference
• Gen. 44-5John 32, Matt. 193-6Heb. 712
• Acts 207 how often we assemble!

15
How to Establish Bible Authority

• These rules are applied to every aspect of life
  our jobs, our families, the law, etc.

16
Does silence establish authority?

• People often say, Well, the Bible doesnt say we
  cant do it that way
• Silence is NEVER a safe way to establish
  authority. It is guessing and hoping.

17
Does silence establish authority?

• We understand this in society, why not in
  religion?

18
Does silence establish authority?

• Silence has never been acceptable before God!
• Lev 101 Nadab Abihu
• Heb. 714 Judah as priests?
• Acts 1524 - to whom we gave no such commandment

19
Does silence establish authority?

• Respecting Gods boundaries
• 1 Cor. 46 Not to think beyond what is
  written.
• 2 John 9 transgresses
• Rev. 2218,19 Deut. 41-2, 1232, etc.

20
Do emotions establish authority?

• I dont think God would condemn me for doing it
  this way.I feel that this is right
• Is this a safe way to obey instructions?

21
Do emotions establish authority?

• Emotional appeals to establish authority are
  ALWAYS dangerous
• Emotions tell us how we feel not whether we
  are right or wrong

22
Do emotions establish authority?

• The challenge
• Many things done in society today are based upon
  emotional appeals
• Emotions ARE a part of our faith lifeless
  worship and service not acceptable to God.

But should they establish authority?
23
Do emotions establish authority?

• Emotions can be deceitful?
• Are our emotions based upon what we learn or are
  we using our emotions to determine what we want
  to do and learn?

24
Do emotions establish authority?

• Emotions can be deceitful?
• Acts 89 Simon deceived the people
• False teachers 2 Pet. 23, Matt. 245
• 2 Tim. 36 gullible women
• Acts 269 I thought

25
Do emotions establish authority?

• Emotional reactions do not change the truth
• Num. 201-12 Moses sins at Kadesh
• Matt. 2715-18, Ac. 1344-45 Envy of Jewish
  leaders
• Dont gamble your eternity on I think

26
Do emotions establish authority?

• Let us ensure that all we do is based upon truth
  with a pure heart and unhypocritical love.
• John 832John 1717

27
Let us NEVER seek to excuse sinful conduct, no
matter how small or great, in our lives. Make
your salvation sure!