Introduction

  • Why do we study only the Bible?

Who and what holds authority?

Authority of elders

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.
  • 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.