• We must work to be positive influences within the church. We have to find what we can do to help and take the initiative. We also need to make sure we live righteously in the world and be good examples to those around us.
• In Acts 6, the apostles were overburdened, so trusted men were appointed to share the work. We must share the work in the same way today so that a few people don’t end up having to do everything.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - The value of companionship.

Topic 3: Respecting God’s Law

• Nehemiah 8:1-12- Ezra the scribe reads the law before the people.
  • Notice that the people asked Ezra to read the book of the law!
  • The people stood up when Ezra opened the book. They listened attentively while he read.
• Jeremiah 36:23 - Terrible disrespect is shown to the word of God.

• The saved man is the unit of the local church as well as the universal church.
• Church universal:
  • General relationship (between man and Christ)
  • No organization
  • Independent function
  • No collective oversight
• Church local
  • Special relationship
  • Togetherness
  • A joined fellowship
  • An overseen fellowship
  • Only authorized structure
• The church
  • Universal
    • Membership: Lord adds
    • Fellowship: vertical
    • Discipline: Christ removes
    • Duration: eternal
    • Function: independent
    • Oversight: independent
  • Local
    • Membership: man joins
    • Fellowship: horizontal
    • Discipline: church removes
    • Duration: time, death
    • Function: joint action
    • Oversight: elders
• Let us be content to do God’s work in God’s way!

• I Peter 4:11- All emphasize the necessity of having authority for all we do in the service of God.
  • This is true for the congregation and for the individual Christian.
• Bible authority comes to use in one of four ways:
  • Statement of fact (Mark 16:16
  • Command (I Corinthians 11:24-25
  • Example (Acts 20:7
  • Necessary inference (Genesis 12:10
• Bible authority comes to us in one of two forms:
  • General:
    • Build ark
    • Sing, as relates to parts, i.e., bass, tenor, etc.
    • Pray
  • Specific
    • Gopher wood
    • Sing, as relates to kind of music: vocal
    • Unto God
• General authority allows for choice of specifics
  • Local church to support preacher (I Corinthians 9:14
    • Has choice as to what preacher it supports.
  • Local church to assemble to worship (I Corinthians 11:20
    • Has choice as to where.
• Specific authority allows no choice.
  • Gopher wood
  • Preach the gospel (Mark 16:15
  • Sing
  • Get funds for church work (I Corinthians 16:1-2
• Aids are allowed, but no additions are allowed.
  • Container for bread and fruit fo the vine, but no other elements
  • Song books, pitch pipe, PowerPoint, but no other kind of music
  • Radio, TV preaching, but no other collective
• Authorized work for a local church
  • Assemble for worship (Colossiand 3:16; Acts 2:42
  • Support the preaching of the gospel
    • To edify the saved (Acts 20:28
    • To save the lost (Philippians 4:15-16
  • Relieve the needy saints who are unavoidably destitute
    • Not to relieve them if they bring destitution on by choice (II Thessalonians 3:10
  • Discipline under certain circumstances (I Corinthians 5:1-5
• The individual Christian must respect Bible authority. He must do with zeal what is authorized and refuse to do what is not.

• I Peter 2:7-8. Peter here applies this directly to Jesus.
• I Peter 2:9 - What God chose was a class of people who obeyed Him. He did not choose particular individuals to be saved as Calvinists teach.
• I Peter 2:12. This verse is talking about people who had slandered the Christians re-examining their faith because they witnessed the good deeds of the Christians and then glorifying God in the day they received salvation.

• Genesis 3:15 - Jesus was born of a virgin, was persecuted and put to death. He destroyed the works of the devil in making it possible for sins to be forgiven. Jesus destroyed the power of the devil through the cross and the whole plan of salvation.
• Prophecies - Christ’s coming
  • Genesis 12:1-3
    • How can we know that “thy seed” refers to Christ? The Holy Spirit told us (Galatians 3:16.
  • Isaiah 28:16
  • Isaiah 40:9-11- God would come with a strong hand and rule like a shepherd.
    • I Peter 5:4 shows that this refers to Jesus.
  • Isaiah 59:20- The Redeemer would come to Zion.
    • Romans 11:26 shows this refers to Christ.
  • Deuteronomy 18:15-18- God would raise up a prophet like Moses from among the Israelites. He would speak all that God commanded. Those who would not hear would be destroyed from among the people.
    • Acts 2:22-24 shows this refers to Christ.