How To Establish Religious Authority #19
A. This lesson is a continuation of our study about how you tell
the difference between Divine authority and human tradition, between
Gods Word and Man-made religious beliefs, Between Biblical
authority and Denominational doctrines.
1. One of the most misunderstood Bible concepts in the world today
is the
question of Biblical authority. How do you establish the authority
for what you will believe and practice in your Christianity? Do
you accept the Bible alone as the sole authority in all matters
of faith and practice? Do you accept, as authority, only those
parts of the Bible that make you feel good and comfortable in
your relationship with God authority? Do you accept only those
parts of the Bible authorized by the denomination to which you
belong? What is your standard of authority for the religion you
practice?
a. In Jno. 4:24. The truth of which He spoke is the Word of God
that teaches us the mind of God. Jno. 17:17. Jesus told His 12
apostles that He would send them the Holy Spirit and that Spirit
would guide them into all truth, Jno. 16:13.
(A) Why would the apostles need that special, Holy Spirit guidance?
To accomplish the work of an apostle. The work of an apostles
is defined by Jesus in Matt. 28:18-20. Paul states the special
work of an apostle in Rom. 1:5-6. The work of an apostle was to
call people to the obedience that comes from faith. The
apostles were, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, able to teach
all of the truth, all of the instruction, that tells man how to
find God, how to obey God, how to please God and what to do to
have fellowship with God and be saved from sin. They were inspired
so they could teach us how to worship God in Spirit and in truth.
Its important that we be able to do
that. Why is that important? Because thats how Jesus said
God wants to be
worshiped. Jno. 4;23-24. God is NOT seeking people who refuse
to worship
Him the way He asks to be worshiped. God is NOT seeking people
who want
to worship Him their own way.
(1) The work of the apostles was to call people. Rev. 5:9.
From where does this faith, to which we are to be obedient, come?
Where did it come from? How do we get this faith; how do we find
this faith? Rom. 10:17, answers both of those questions. Obedience
that comes by faith means you Hear the Word of God, you Believe
the Word of God, and you Obey the Word of God by doing what the
Word of God tells you to do.
(a) Where do we learn what pleases God? From the Bible, it is
Gods Word. It is Gods written Word that reveals the
mind of God to us. Jno. 6:63. Gods authority has been vested
in His Word, the Bible. Look at a list of scriptures that show
the Word of God as that authority.
(b) Jno. 14:6. Can you find God by the teaching of anyone other
than Jesus? Jno. 14:25?26. Who taught the apostles every thing
they taught? Jno. 4:34?35, Jesus spent His life doing His Fathers
will.
(2) Jesus did nothing on His own. He always did Gods will
and He teaches us that we have to do the same. Jno. 5:19. He said
that here and again in Jno. 5:30; John 6:38.
(a) In Jno. 7:16, Jesus repeated Himself. Now Jno. 8:26. Jesus
had much to say about being redeemed and restored to God. He did
not exercise His opinions and judgments on this matter. He deferred
His will and judgment to God.
(b) Jesus was sent into the world to provide a way for man to
be made sinless and righteous, Jno. 20:21. How was Jesus sent?
By God. Why were the apostles sent? To do and to teach Gods
will. The Apostles were told to teach and baptize people and tell
people to do all things Jesus had commanded. Luke 10:16. What
did they teach? Gods absolute, final, irrevocable will.
(3) Is there anything in any of those scriptures that says you
can change any command in the Bible? Ignore or not obey with impunity?
Jesus said in Jno. 14:15; 25.
(a) Jno. 12:48?50.
(b) Acts 20:32.
Spur - 06/22/03 am
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