Introduction

• Why do we study only the Bible?

Who and what holds authority?

• Matthew 28:18-20
• The doctrine of apostolic succession?

Authority of elders

• Acts 20:28
• I Thessalonians 5:12-13
• There is no evidence of succession through.

Apostolic succession

• The continuation of church leaders from a church’s apostolic origin helped indicate that a church was continuing to teach the original doctrines that were taught by the apostles.
• Apostolic succession loses its purpose when a leader teaches or practices error.
• Designed to preserve church doctrine, not create new doctrine!

How did we get the Bible?

• How writings were evaluated
  • Was it written by an apostle or non-apostle?
  • Was it read aloud in weekly assemblies?
  • Is it consistent and contradiction-free?
  • Did it reinforce the consensus of belief?
  • Was it written during the apostolic age?
• Books that are not in the New Testament

How do we ensure Scripture is interpreted correctly?

• We have always had this problem.
  • II Timothy 4:3-4 – Men will turn to teachings that appealed to them.
  • Galatians 2:2-5 – Even apostles faced the issue of false doctrine.
• Only later did men change how the church was lead.

Takeaways

• All authority stems from God.
• God made scripture evident through the Holy Spirit rather than men with authority.
• Local church elders and our fellow Christians must work to stop false doctrine instead of a centralized authority.