- 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:
- 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.
- Local church to support preacher (I Corinthians 9:14
- 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.
JJ
July 29, 2012
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