Matt. 28:18; Jn. 5:19-20, 26-27 I. INT.
A. All authority originates with God
1. He possesses total authority because He is God, it is in Him that we live-Acts 17:28
2. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift-Jas. 1:17
3. In Jn. 5:27, Jesus said
4. Christ delegated that authority to His apostles-Jn. 17:8, 14, 18; 16:13; I Cor. 14:37
B. We have these words today in written form in the N.T.-I Cor. 14:37; 4:6; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; I Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2
II. THE NEW TESTAMENT AUTHORIZES A THING TO BE DONE IN ONE OF FOUR WAYS
A. 1ST, STATEMENT OF FACT-HEB. 11:6; MK. 16:16
B. 2ND, BY COMMAND-I COR. 11:23-25 “THIS DO”
C. 3RD, BY APPROVED EXAMPLE
1. By example we mean the sum total of what the Local churches of Christ did in the first century when men guided by the H.S. were present among them, forms the pattern for what churches may do today with Christ’s approval-Col. 3:17; Ph. 4:9
2. An approved example is one that is binding upon God’s people today-Acts 20:7-This binds the 1st day of the week
D. 4TH, NECESSARY INFERENCE
1. ACTS 20:7 implies every 1st day since every week has a first day
a. Ex. 20:7 meant every Sabbath
2. The special day of worship is learned from Acts 20:7
a. In this passage is found the frequency of this observance by N.I.
III. ALL AUTHORITY IS EITHER GENERIC OR SPECIFIC
A. GENERIC INCLUDES ANY MEANS OR METHOD, KIND OR CLASS-GENERIC DO NOT EXCLUDE
B. SPECIFIC EXCLUDES
C. ILLUSTRATE:CHART
D. GENERIC-MATT. 28:18
1. “GO”-HOW?-Not told-Thus we can walk or ride-Not specified
2. “Teach”-How?-Not told-Public-Private-TV-Radio- Newspaper-Gospel meetings
3. “Assemble”-Heb. 10:25-Where?-discuss
4. “Sing”-How? What part?
E. SPECIFIC COMMANDS EXCLUDE
1. God commanded Noah-Gen. 6:14-Gopher wood -excluded other types-kinds-Gen. 6:24
2. Water of cleansing-Red heifer-excluded a different animal- another color-Num. 19:1-7
3. Naaman-Dip 7 times in Jordan river-Excluded 1 to 6 times- other rivers-Num. 5:10-10
4. SINGING-EXCLUDES-Whistling, humming, I.M., etc
5. L.S.-I Cor. 11:23-Excludes other elements-Acts 20:7-another day
6. Baptism-Purpose-Action-Element-Others excluded
7. Work of the church- Evangelism -Edification - Benevolence - Excludes other works
IV. AIDS AND ADDITIONS
A. AIDS ASSIST-Nothing that God requires is changed by using aids; such as song books, song leader, etc
B. ADDITION-Changes the class or kind
1. Noah ark-Gen. 6:14-Pine,spruce, is another kind of wood
2. Ashes of Red heifer-ashes of a brown one would be different
3. Dip 7 times in Jordan-Pharpar would be different
4. Sing-Vocal- I.M. another kind of music-different-excluded
5. Aids assist-Additions change-1st permitted-2nd condemned
C. WE CANNOT OPERATE FROM GOD’S SILENCE-Deut. 4:2; 29:29; Prov. 30:6; I Cor. 4:6;Col. 3:17; Num. 22:18;24:13; 2 Jn. 9; Lk. 6:46; I Pet. 4:11; Deut. 18:20; Prov. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 1:6-8
V. CONCLUSION:
A. What am I to do if I find myself in a church teaching error?- Remain in it? Absolutely not-2 Cor. 6:17-18
B. What if I continue to worship and support error-Matt. 15:9,14; 2 Jn. 9-11; I Cor. 4:6; Ex. 23:2
C. Let us speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent
D. Let us be determined to do the Lord’s will-Come out & Fight