Authority, Pt. 2: Establishing Authority

Authority, Pt. 2: Establishing Authority

2 A Summary of God s Authority a. In this material, we re going to look specifically at how we interpret and establish biblical authority. In other words, how can we know exactly what God wants us to do and what He doesn t want us to do. In the process of studying this topic, we ll also consider basic principles and rules of Bible study. b. Here in this first study, let s summarize the authority of God I IV. God Has All Authority a. As our Creator, God has authority over us (Gen. 1:26; 2:15-17). i. Read Romans 9:20. What basic attitude toward God s authority is Paul encouraging all Christians to have? ii. Read Romans 1:18-20. 1. What is God s expectation of all people? 2. What are the consequences of failing to meet God s expectations? b. We must submit to God and trust Him in everything in light of His power and sovereignty over the world (Job 38:1-11 Job 42:1-6). i. It s clear that Job s attitude toward God in 42:1-6 isn t common today. ii. Why don t people respond to God as Job did here? God s Will the Bible a. While we can learn about God by examining His creation, the only way to learn God s will is to study the Bible. Read Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Tim. 3:16-17. b. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Scriptures (the written word) are what enable us to be complete in our relationship with God. In fact, Paul says that every good work is found in the Scriptures. So how should we view [religious] works that are not found in the Scriptures? c. It s also important to understand that while ALL Scripture is inspired and profitable, we should approach the Old Testament and New Testament differently. i. The Old Testament is there for our learning (Romans 15:4), but is no longer our source of law (Rom. 7:6; Col. 2:14-16; Heb. 8). ii. We are to follow the teachings of the New Testament (John 12:48; 2 John 9). Rewards of Obedience Consequences of Disobedience a. When we violate God s law, we sin (1 John 3:4). Sin causes death (Rom. 3:23), or separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). What should we take away from this line of reasoning (in terms of our obligations)? b. More specifically, read 2 Thess. 1:7-9 and Rev. 21:6-8. i. Summarize the results of both disobedience and obedience? ii. How carefully should we study and obey God s will? Why?

3 Rightly Handling God s Word a. In the first half of this material, we re going to focus more on the process of Bible study. This is because: i. A lot of people don t study because they don t know where to start or how to go about studying. ii. Many others study their Bibles but gain very little because they re not studying the right way. iii. And yet others study their Bibles and come to the wrong (and sometimes very dangerous) conclusions because they aren t studying correctly. b. The first principle of Bible study can be found in 2 Timothy 2:14-19. I IV. Dangers of Bad Study Habits a. The main point of this lesson is found in verse 15. However, the context has a lot to say about the consequences of when the principle of verse 15 isn t followed. i. What kind of situation is Paul describing in verse 14? Put it in practical terms. ii. In verses 16-17, Paul makes the point that bad study habits can result in false teachings. Can false teachings be dangerous? What does Paul say? b. We find an example of this in Matthew 22:23-30. i. What false conclusion had the Sadducees reached? ii. What reason did Jesus attribute to their error? Rightly Handling God s Word a. Reread 2 Timothy 2:15. How is this verse worded in your translation? b. Using a concordance, examine the meanings of the following phrases here: i. Study/Be Diligent: ii. Rightly Dividing: c. The point is not so much that we must properly understand the divisions within the Bible (Old Testament vs. New Testament), but that we must handle the word of God with great care, precision and reverence. d. Read Ecclesiastes 12:11-12. How will such stringent study habits affect us? e. Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Why should we make Bible study a priority? Circle the examples of rightly handling God s word. Also discuss/write out the opposite of each habit or practice. a. Studying that consists primarily of skimming the biblical text. b. Giving great thought to each verse and the flow of the text. c. Studying primarily out of a paraphrased Bible like The Message. d. Harmonizing your conclusions in one text with the rest of Scripture. e. Trusting a single commentary to explain difficulties within the text. f. Skipping over passages that are hard to understand or apply. g. Seeking to make the principles of Scripture practical and relevant for today.

4 Honesty in Study a. Read Romans 12:1-2. We d like to think that everyone studies the Bible with an open mind, ready and willing to apply the teachings of God s word to their lives so that they can be transformed by the renewing of their mind. b. Unfortunately, not everyone is honest in their study and application of the Bible. There is such a thing as a dishonest approach to Scripture (2 Peter 3:14-16). c. What do we mean by an honest and dishonest approach to the Scriptures? I Dishonesty in Study a. A person who is dishonest in their study of the Scriptures is a person who is willing to ignore, change or reject certain parts of the Scriptures because, in the end, they are more interested in their way than God s way. b. Examples of dishonesty in study: i. Reasoning from consequences (Matt. 21:23-27). 1. When we reject the truth because we are unwilling to accept the consequences or demands of the truth, we are reasoning from consequences. 2. How is this mindset displayed in this passage? 3. Can you think of a modern example of this? ii. Getting angry when the Scriptures highlights our sin (Mark 12:10-12). 1. Why would anyone respond in this manner to God s word? 2. Can you think of a modern example of this? iii. Using/misusing the Scriptures to validate yourself or serve your own selfish purpose (Phil. 1:15-18; Titus 1:10-11). 1. How can the Scriptures be misused for dishonest gain? 2. How can we misuse the Scriptures to elevate ourselves above others? iv. Can you think of other examples of dishonesty in study? c. Can you think of any occasions in your life when you were dishonest in Bible study? Honesty in Study a. To be honest in Bible study is to approach the Scriptures with a willingness to accept whatever the truth is, no matter what. Read Acts 17:1-11, esp. vs. 11. i. How did the Thessalonians react to the gospel? ii. How did the Bereans react to the gospel? b. Other examples of honesty in Bible study: i. Josiah s reaction to the Word (2 Kings 22:11-13, 18-19). ii. The Israelites upon hearing the word from Ezra (Nehemiah 8:9-12). iii. The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:35-37). c. What will help us to be more honest as Bible students?

5 Rules of Study: Context a. In this lesson, we will begin a short series on Rules of Study. Like rules of the road, these rules are essential to properly navigating and understanding God s word. b. Our first rule of study is: context. c. What do we mean by context? Webster says that context is the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning. i. What would it mean to study the context of a verse in the Bible? ii. What would neglecting the context of a verse look like? What might be the consequences of such neglect? d. Our study will be very practical. Let s consider a few key texts in the New Testament where context is key to understanding the text itself. Example #1: Baptism of Fire a. Read Matthew 3:11. Many of the Charismatic persuasion view the baptism of fire as a positive miraculous experience that believers receive when they are saved. b. Now read the context, vs. 10-12. Based on the context, what is the baptism of fire? I Example #2: Works of Galatians 2:16 a. Read Galatians 2:16. Many use this passage to teach the doctrine of faith only and to reject the need for works (obedience) for salvation. b. Now read the immediate context, vs. 11-16. Also read Gal. 3:19-25 and 5:1-5. Based on the context, what kind of works is Paul speaking of in verse 16? IV. Example #3: Calling on the Name of the Lord a. Read Romans 10:9-13. This is where many find justification for the sinner s prayer (a means of obtaining salvation). How does vs. 13 seem to provide support here? b. To better understand this phrase, let s consider how it is used elsewhere. After all, context doesn t have to be limited to that passage. i. Read Acts 2:21 vs. 37-38. How did these Jews call on the name of the Lord? ii. Read Acts 22:16. How did Paul call on the name of the Lord? c. What does the phrase in Romans 10:13 have reference to? V. Example #4: Keys to Revelation a. The book of Revelation is often interpreted literally and applied to modern events or events of the future (i.e. rapture, tribulation, Antichrist, battle of Armageddon, etc.). b. Context is the key to understanding the book of Revelation. i. Read Rev. 1:1. How was the book written? ii. Read Rev. 1:1, 3, 19. When would these events take place? iii. Read Rev. 1:4. To whom did these words directly apply? iv. Read Rev. 1:9. What tribulation is being described in this book?

6 Rules of Study: Audience/Culture a. In this lesson, we will continue our series on Rules of Study. Like rules of the road, these rules are essential to properly navigating and understanding God s word. b. Our second rule of study is: considering the audience/culture. i. By audience, we mean, to whom is the verse/passage/book addressed? ii. By culture, we re referring to the historical setting in which the book was written (i.e. Egyptian culture, Jewish culture, Roman culture). Understanding the culture may shed light on the meaning of a word or phrase. I IV. Examples Where Audience Matters a. When reading any part of the Bible, it s important to ask, To whom is this text written? before we ask, How does this apply to me? b. Here are some examples where audience REALLY matters: i. Read Matthew 10:5-14. Who is the audience? Why does it matter here? ii. Read John 16:7-12. Who is the audience? Why does it matter here? iii. How does understanding the audience impact the way we study the book of Corinthians versus the book of Hebrews? Examples of Cultural Elements in Scripture a. Just as we have items and traditions today that didn t exist in the first century, so also did they have items and customs that don t exist today. b. Here are a few neat examples worth studying: i. The stark contrast between the Pharisee and Publican in Luke 18:9-14. ii. The riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:35-40). iii. Greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16). Are We Reading Someone Else s Mail? a. It is often said that we are reading someone else s mail when we study the Bible. After all, most of these books (especially in the New Testament) were written to a specific person or group. Many will use this line of reasoning to negate or lessen the application of the biblical text to our lives today. b. Read Matthew 4:1-10. Did Jesus believe that the Old Testament Scriptures were useful and relevant to the Jews in His day and age? c. Read Colossians 4:16. Were the New Testament letters only intended for the churches to whom they were written? d. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. How does this passage prove that the whole Bible has relevance in our lives today? e. So when we say that it s important to consider the original audience and cultural setting, we re not saying that the Scriptures don t apply to us. We simply have to understand how the passage was intended to be received and understood.

7 Rules of Study: Extra-Biblical Resources a. Let s conclude our series on Rules of Study. Like rules of the road, these rules are essential if we re going to properly navigate and understand God s word. b. Our third rule of study is: understanding the value of extra-biblical resources. c. Extra-biblical resources are resources (such as books) separate from the Bible that help us to better understand the Bible itself. I Two Extremes a. Believe it or not, there is a lot of controversy among religious people over the value (or lack thereof) of extra-biblical resource such as commentaries. i. Some believe that we can gain a lot of knowledge about the Bible by reading, studying and researching books about the Bible. 1. Many secular works are cited throughout the Old Testament as helpful resources (Num. 21:14; Josh. 10:13; 2 Chron. 9:29). 2. Paul was taught by a scholar named Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). 3. Is there any difference between listening to a sermon and reading a commentary or religious book? 4. Are we missing out on anything if we study the Bible alone? ii. Others believe that because these other books/resources are written by men (who often are not true Christians), we should avoid them. Instead, we should just let the Bible explain itself. 1. It s true that the Bible is understandable (Ephesians 3:1-5). 2. We must not allow others to lead us away from the purity and simplicity of what God has already revealed (Gal. 1:6-10; 1 John 2:26-27). 3. How should these truths affect our view of extra-biblical resources? Extra-Biblical Resources a. Discuss each of the following resources the value of each, the potential dangers, and how to properly use them as Bible study aids: i. Concordances (i.e. Strong s) Spend more time here. ii. Bible dictionaries (i.e. Vine s) iii. Commentaries iv. Maps and charts v. Resource books (on ancient culture, customs, history) b. What extra-biblical resources have really aided you in the past?

8 Divine Commands a. We re going to shift our focus from Rules of Study to the means by which we establish authority. Now that we know how to study, how can we discern what God requires of us today? b. In this lesson, we re going to begin to focus more specifically on HOW we establish biblical authority. This sounds straightforward, but there s actually much to say here. c. A good way to summarize this study is with the acronym CENI: i. C Commands ii. E Examples iii. NI Necessary Inferences iv. This method isn t manmade. Read Acts 15:6-17. When confronted with a difficult question, the apostles and elders used CENI to find a solution: 1. Peter appealed to necessary inference (vs. 7-9). 2. Paul and Barnabas appealed to example (vs. 12). 3. James appealed to divine command (vs. 13-17). d. Let s focus in this study on the commands of God s word. I Obeying God s Commands a. The existence of commands in the Bible (Mt. 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Pet. 3:1-2). i. What is a command? Explain what a command in the Bible might look like. ii. What is our obligation to the commands of Scripture? b. The motivation for obeying His commands: i. Read John 14:15; 15:14. 1. What is the motivation for obedience here? 2. How is this true ii. Read Matthew 5:19; 1 John 3:24; Rev. 22:14. 1. What is the motivation here? 2. How is this true? c. Read Ephesians 4:25-32. Make a list of the commands found in this text: Commands vs. Principles a. When God gives a command, it must be obeyed. But not everything is black and white. There are principles of Scripture where the application is not specified; here, it s more about wisdom than obedience to specific instructions. b. To illustrate the difference, read Matthew 5:27-28 and Matt. 5:31-32: i. We are commanded not to lust (vs. 27-28), but this is a principle in the sense that the application isn t specified. We must exercise wisdom here. ii. In vs. 31-32, we are given a clear command regarding divorce. c. Can you think of other commands that fall into the realm of principle?

9 Generic vs. Specific Authority a. In the last lesson, we began to study the means by which we establish authority. i. Why is such a study important? ii. What does CENI stand for? iii. What is a biblical command? iv. What is the difference between commands and principles? b. In this study, we re going to touch on another very important distinction when studying the commands of Scripture: Generic vs. Specific Authority. I Defining Generic vs. Specific Authority a. Generic authority: when a command/example does not specify the means by which we accomplish the command/example. b. Specific authority: when a command/example specifies the means by which that command/example is to be fulfilled. c. This may sound overly-complicated, but really, we use generic and specific commands in our everyday lives. Circle which statement is specific: i. Example 1: 1. Go to the store to buy eggs, milk and cheese. 2. Go to the store and find something for dinner tonight. ii. Example 2: 1. We need to replace the old carpeting in the house. 2. I want to replace the old carpeting with maple hardwood floors. Biblical Examples a. Read Genesis 6:13-16. i. Specific: type of wood (gopherwood), dimensions, the use of pitch, # of decks. ii. General: how Noah gathered the wood, type of tools to use in building it. d. Read Matthew 28:19-20. i. Specific: what is to be specifically taught (vs. 20)? ii. General: how is the command to go general? e. Read Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. i. Specific: what kind of music is specified? ii. General: what about this command is general (not specified)? f. Read 1 Cor. 11:23-26. Make a list of specifics and generals with the Lord s Supper. g. Read 1 Cor. 16:1-2. What is generic and what is specific about this instruction? h. BE PREPARED: Each student should come to class with an additional command/example where there are both generic and specific elements.

10 Approved Examples, Part 1 a. In our last study, we began to study the means of establishing biblical authority: i. What does CENI stand for? ii. What are biblical commands? What are biblical principles? iii. What s the difference between specific and general authority? Give an example. b. In this study, we re going to focus on the E of CENI: examples. In the Bible we find many, many examples of godly men and women doing things that were approved by God. As we re going to learn, these examples have value in guiding our obedience to God. I IV. The Value of Examples a. We re commanded to imitate the apostles (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil 3:17). b. From the standpoint of common sense, if we find examples in the New Testament of Christians doing things with divine approval, we know that those methods and actions are acceptable to God. Examples That Shouldn t Be Followed (Or Don t Have To Be) a. We shouldn t follow examples of sin or disobedience (Gal. 2:11-13). How can we distinguish between examples of sin and of good behavior? b. Some examples involve actions that are totally incidental: i. Paul and Silas sang hymns at midnight (Acts 16:25). ii. The church in Troas met in an upper room (Acts 20:7-8). Churches met in many places; the place is not meant to be significant. We don t have to meet in upper rooms now. c. Some examples involve cultural traditions (things that were relevant then that are no longer relevant or necessary): i. They often went into synagogues to dispute with the Jews (Acts 17:17). Synagogues were common. Much of their audience was Jewish. Synagogues then allowed for such interaction and debate. These things have changed today. ii. Read Romans 16:16. It was common in that culture to greet others with a kiss. Today, this would be really weird, wouldn t it? d. Based on these observations, what questions should we ask ourselves when we re trying to determine whether or not a certain example should be followed? Approved Examples a. Examples carry special weight when they illustrate obedience to a command. In other words, examples rarely stand alone, but reinforce biblical commands. b. To determine what examples should be followed and which should not, ask: i. Is this example/detail incidental or does it carry special weight in the text? ii. Are there other examples of the same activity that show a different process? If so, God is clearly not making a statement with this example. iii. Does this example help us to understand how we should go about obeying a clear command of Scripture? iv. We will illustrate these principles in the next study

11 Approved Examples, Part 2 a. Read 1 Corinthians 4:6-7; 14:37 and 1 Timothy 3:15. Based on these passages (and others), we know that the New Testament serves as our law and standard today. We know how to serve God based on what He has revealed in the New Testament. b. But in reading the New Testament, how can we know what He expects of us. i. Not all commands apply to us. Give an example. ii. Not all examples are to be followed. Give an example. iii. What is the difference between commands and principles? c. As we continue to study the means by which God s authority is established in the New Testament, let s fine-tune our understanding of approved examples by looking at approved examples in the New Testament. I IV. The Lord s Supper a. Read the example of the disciples in Troas in Acts 20:6-8. b. Make a list of incidental details that don t have to be followed today. Discuss how you know that these details are incidental. c. On what day did they observe the Lord s Supper? i. From the text, how can we know that this day had special meaning? ii. Relate to 1 Cor. 16:1-2. Why is this an example we should follow today? Church-Sponsored Benevolence a. We find commands to help brethren in need (1 Cor. 16:1-2). b. There are many examples of this in the New Testament: i. Read Acts 4:32-35; 11:27-30 and Romans 15:25-26. ii. According to these examples, who should be on the receiving end of churchsponsored benevolence? Also consider 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:1-4; 9:1. iii. How was this relief sent to those in need? How does this relate to the common practice of institutionalism (define). The Roles in Marriage a. Let s step away from the church for a moment and consider the roles of marriage as outlined in Ephesians 5:22-26. i. What roles are specifically assigned to husbands and wives in this text? ii. How does Paul appeal to approved example in vs. 25? What would a deeper study of this example reveal regarding the role of husbands? b. On the other side, read 1 Peter 3:1-6. i. How does Peter appeal to approved example in this text (in regards to the role of wives)? ii. What would a deeper study of this example reveal regarding the wife s role?

12 Necessary Inference a. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. How does this text summarize our current study? b. In our last four studies, we ve been studying the means by which we establish biblical authority. These are critical lessons if our goal is to strictly follow God s law! c. What does CENI stand for? d. Here, we re going to focus on the NI of CENI: necessary inferences. These are inescapable conclusions that we reach when we read a passage; something may not be stated in the passage, but we know that it has to be true. e. For example, if your friend calls you and says, Meet me at McDonald s at noon for lunch, you necessarily infer that you must somehow get there. Are you going to say, Well, they didn t tell me how to get there, so I guess I can t go? I Jesus & the Apostles Used Necessary Inference a. Jesus used it in Matthew 22:23-32. i. How did Jesus use necessary inference in verses 31-32? ii. Based on this example, why is necessary inference an important tool in how we read and interpret the Bible? b. Peter the apostle used it in Acts 15:3-9. How did Peter use necessary inference here? c. Paul used it in Ephesians 4:7-10. How did Paul use necessary inference here? Applying Necessary Inference a. Let s consider a few examples where necessary inference is used in our own worship and service unto God today: i. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. 1. What aspects of the Lord s Supper are clearly stated here? 2. What isn t stated in this passage regarding our observation of the Lord s Supper? What must be necessarily inferred? ii. Read Ephesians 5:19. 1. What are we specifically told to do in this verse? 2. Regarding how we fulfill this command, what isn t stated here that must be necessarily inferred? iii. Read 1 Timothy 3:15 and 2 Timothy 2:2. 1. What activity is the church to engage in based on these verses? 2. What must be necessarily inferred here? iv. Read Hebrews 10:24-25. 1. What is being commanded here? 2. What must be necessarily inferred if this command is to be carried out?

13 Expediency a. Read 2 Timothy 2:15. What should be our attitude towards God s word and why? b. In our last several studies, we ve been studying the means by which we establish biblical authority. These are critical lessons if our goal is to strictly follow God s law! c. Before we conclude this study of Establishing Biblical Authority, we re going to look at one more tool of Bible study: expediency. I IV. Defining Expediency a. An expedient is a means of attaining an end. b. Let s use the example from our last class to illustrate expediency: if a friend calls you and says, Meet me at McDonald s at noon for lunch, you necessarily infer that you must somehow GET to McDonald s (even though your friend didn t explicitly say this). Expedients would include: drive, walk, ride a bicycle, etc. c. This is where we find authority for much of the particular things we do and have in our service unto God today, hence the value of this study. Rules Governing Expediency a. Let s begin by reading 1 Corinthians 6:12. The KJV uses the word expedient in place of helpful (NKJV). Based on this text, expediencies must be: i. Lawful. Expedients cannot be sinful (violate other teachings of Scripture). ii. Helpful. Expedients must help us to reach the intended conclusion. iii. Must not have control over us. 1. Read Matthew 15:1-3. a. Was there anything wrong with washing hands before meals? b. How had this tradition/expedient taken control of the Pharisees? iv. Read 1 Cor. 10:23. Expedients also need to edify, or build us up. Something may be an appropriate means to an end, but if it s going to stir up trouble in the church or make our obedience harder (and discouraging), we shouldn t use it. Examples of Expediency a. The Lord s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). i. It s necessarily inferred that we must have an ordered way of observing it. List expedient ways of observing the Lord s Supper. ii. It s necessarily inferred that we must use containers for the emblems. List the types of containers we might use as expedients. iii. It s necessarily inferred that we must secure the emblems somehow. List the ways that we might obtain these emblems. (CONT. ON NEXT PAGE ) b. Congregational singing (Ephesians 5:19). It s necessarily inferred that we must have an ordered way of singing together as a congregation. What expedients might we use to make this possible?

14 c. Teaching the Bible (1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:2). i. It s necessarily inferred that we must have means of teaching God s word. List the different ways (expedients) we might do this in the church. ii. It s necessarily inferred that we must have something to teach. List the different ways (expedients) that we might teach God s word. d. Going to church (Hebrews 10:24-25). i. It s necessarily inferred that we must have a place in which to assemble. List the different places (expedients) we might use. ii. It s necessarily inferred that there must be an agreed-upon time(s). List the various options we might have here. V. Other Considerations a. While we can bind commands, examples and even necessary inferences (because they are necessary), we cannot bind the expedients we choose: i. Church buildings are authorized because they help us to assemble, but we cannot bind church buildings on others. ii. Give a few other examples to make this point. b. Read 1 Peter 5:1-2 1 Thess. 5:12-13 and Hebrews 13:17. i. When a church has elders, the elders will probably make a lot of these decisions regarding which expedients to use. ii. What should be the congregation s response to the elders choices? c. Although this point has already been made somewhat, it s important to remember that there is a difference between an expedient (which aids us in following a command or example) and an addition (which adds to the command or example): i. Read Ephesians 5:19. We are commanded to sing. Song books may help us to carry out the command to sing, but instrumental music is something that adds to our singing and changes the type of music we re using. We can t justify instrumental music as an aid to our worship when, in reality, it s an addition. ii. Read Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5. It s God s plan for churches to appoint elders, but in order for there to be elders, there must be qualified men (Titus 1:6-9). 1. In the absence of qualified men, decisions must still be made. What are some examples of expediency in this area? 2. There may be many options available to aid the church in the absence of elders, but there are many ways that we might unlawfully add to God s word. Such common additions: a. Steering-committees: select men who form a quasi-eldership b. Sponsoring-church arrangement: where a church allows another church to oversee it. This violates the church s autonomy. iii. Can you think of any other dangers in the realm of expediency?