introduction : 1. matthew 28:18-20: christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive...

Matthew 28:18-20

THE AUTHORITY

OF CHRIST(Part 5)

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

Introduction:

1. Matthew 28:18-20: Christ proclaimed His authority: we must submit to receive salvation


“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make

disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to

observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am

with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.”Matthew 28:18-20


Introduction:

2. To understand and apply the authority of Christ:I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture

II. Authority of Christ as Savior III. Authority of Christ in Local Church IV. Gradual Departures from the

Authority of Christ

V. Gradual Return to the Authority of Christ

V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristA. Catholic Corruption Sparked Reforms in 1400’s and 1500’s.

Popes exercise political power: The church was filled with ignorance, greed and immorality.



Indulgence: Transfers merits of Christ, Mary and saints—remit penalties for sin on earth and in purgatory.For the living and the deadGranted if visit saints’ relics, pay


Indulgence: transfer merits of Christ, Mary, & saints—remit penalties on earth, in purgatory

Pope Leo X offered plenary indulgence (total pardon) to raise money for St. Peter’s Basilica in 1517 Johann Tetzel in Germany: “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, The soul from purgatory springs”

Indulgence: transfer merits of Christ, Mary, and saints—remit penalties on earth, in purgatory

Inexpensive indulgence 10 days: “In the authority of all saints…I absolve thee free from all sins…and remit all punishment for ten days.”More expensive: 1,902,202 years!


In Germany in 1517 Martin Luther wrote 95 theses for debate, challenged the pope’s authority, and was declared an outlaw!


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristA. Catholic Corruption Sparked Reforms in 1400’s-1500’s

Bible translated into common languagesJohn Wycliffe, “morning star” of reform: complete English Bible 1382


Bible translated into common languagesGutenberg printed Latin Bible 1455


Bible translated into common languages

Luther: N.T. 1520, complete Bible 1534

Bible translated into common languagesWilliam Tyndale: “If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that drives a plow shall know more of the Scriptures than he [the Pope] did” (1521)

Pope Leo X

Bible translated into common languages

King James I: Commission scholars 1604, 47 men begin 1607, Authorized Version or KJV published 1611 (N.T. 90% Tyndale’s 1534)


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristB. Efforts to Reform Catholicism, Return to New Testament Teaching

In Germany Martin Luther a priest wrote 95 theses for debate in 1517, excommunicated 1520-21 Philip Melanchthon wrote Augsburg Confession 1530; origin of Lutheran Church

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTV. Gradual Return to the

Authority of ChristB. Efforts to Reform Catholicism, Return to New Testament Teaching

In Switzerland Ulrich Zwingli priest left Catholicism in Zurich 1522-25; origin of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTV. Gradual Return to the

Authority of ChristB. Efforts to Reform Catholicism, Return to New Testament Teaching

In France John Calvin studied priesthood & law; Institutes of the Christian Religion 1536; led Geneva, Switzerland; origin of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTV. Gradual Return to the Authority of

ChristB. Efforts to Reform Catholicism, Return to New Testament Teaching

In England King Henry VIII declared “Defender of the Faith” by Pope Leo X for opposing Luther; Henry made the Church of England independent in 1534 to secure marriage to Anne Boleyn


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of Christ

B. Efforts to Reform Catholicism, Return to New Testament Teaching

In Europe Anabaptist movements: reform ferment by lower classes; Menno Simons priest in Netherlands, immersed 1536; Grebel, Hutter, Hoffman, Hut, etc.; origin of Mennonites, Amish, and Church of the Brethren; Baptists from John Smyth in Holland 1607


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristC. Reformers Severely Persecuted by Catholicism, Wars Fought

Reformers protest persecution: Protestant ReformationDeclared outlaws, arrested, tortured, Bibles burned, executedGreat struggle seeking to find and follow the authority of Christ

V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristD. Reformers Struggle with How to Apply Bible Authority

Struggle to clarify restoration principle of 1 Peter 4:11

1 Peter 4:11

“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

RESTORATION PRINCIPLE(1 Peter 4:11)

What is not authorized

is forbidden

What is not forbidden

is authorized

ZWINGLI LUTHER“Reject what the Bible did not enjoin”

“Accept what the Bible did not prohibit”

“What the Bible does not command we may not do”

“We may do what the Bible does not forbid”

Oppose images, crosses, organs, choirs, clerical dress, etc.

Embrace images, crosses, organs, choirs, clerical dress, etc.

R.H. Bainton, The Church of Our Fathers, pp. 143-144

VS


Luther’s looser view prevailedDenominations multiplied


DENOMINATIONS

606 Rome Boniface III Roman Catholic

1520 Germany Martin Luther

Lutheran

1534 England Henry VIII Episcopal1536 Switzerlan

dJohn Calvin Presbyterian

1550 England Robert Browne

Congregational

1607 Holland John Smythe

Baptist

1739 England John Wesley Methodist1830 America Joseph

SmithMormon

1830 America William Miller

Adventists

1866 America Mary B. Eddy

Christian Science

1872 America Charles Russell

Jehovah’s Witness


Denominations multipliedDavid Barrett, World Christian Encyclopedia (2001): 33,000World Christian Database (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) track 9,000 denominations Jan. 2008

V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristE. Basic Doctrines of Denominations Prevent True Restoration

Additions to Bible AuthorityRevelation 22:18,19


Additions To Bible Authority

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to

these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes

away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of

Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in

this book.”Revelation 22:18,19


Additions to Bible AuthorityHuman CreedsHeadquarters, hierarchy, councils, officersNew revelationIllumination of the Holy Spirit



Salvation by “faith only”—James 2:24

James 2:24,26

“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”


Salvation by “faith only” James 2:24Baptism is not essentialAllow departures from Bible pattern: work, worship and organizationUngodly living does not affect one’s salvation



Direct operation of the Holy Spirit—Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”


Direct operation of Holy Spirit, Rom.1:16Declared the word dead, cold, powerlessClaim power for salvation, 2nd work of graceClaim miracles todayClaim new revelations, illuminations, miraculous guidanceDeny all-sufficient power of the original gospel


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristF. Restoration Plea: Return to the Authority of Christ by Return to His Original Teaching

Many seek remedy for denominationalism, return to the original gospel of Christ—1790—1850 Speak the oracles of God— 1 Peter 4:11


Speak as the Oracles of God--1 Peter 4:11

1 Peter 4:11

“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”


Many seek remedy for denominationalism, return to the original gospel of Christ—1790—1850 Speak the oracles of God— 1 Peter 4:11Speak where the Bible speaks: Bible authority for all we preach and practiceBe silent where the Bible is silent: silence of the scriptures prohibits.



Many seek remedy for denominationalism, return to the original gospel of Christ—1790—1850 Speak the oracles of God— 1 Peter 4:11Give Book, Chapter and VerseCall Bible things, by Bible names, do Bible things in Bible ways



Ask for the old paths—Jeremiah 6:16

Jeremiah 6:16

“Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.”


What saith the scriptures?— Romans 4:3

Romans 4:3

“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’”


Christ the only head of church?— Ephesians 1:22,23

Ephesians 1:22,23

“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”


Bible only as our guide— 2 Timothy 3:16,17

2 Timothy 3:16,17

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”


New Testament pattern of faith and practice in all things— 2 Timothy 1:13

2 Timothy 1:13

“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”


Christians only— Acts 11:26

Acts 11:26

“And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”


Early efforts in Europe and British Isles in 1700’s—early 1800’s: Robert Sandeman, Robert Haldane, J.A. Haldane (Social Worship, 1805)Fruitful efforts in U.S.: New England, middle colonies, early western frontier, southern states


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristG. Restoration Plea: Spread Widely in America

Middle states: James O’Kelly and Rice Haggard leave Methodist Church, 1793-1801Christ only head, Christian only name, Bible only creed



New England: Elias Smith leaves Baptist—1802-1803Christian Journal (1805)Herald of Gospel Liberty (1808)


Kentucky frontier: Barton W. Stone leaves Presbyterian 1803

G. Restoration Plea Spread Widely in America


1801 Great Revival at Cane Ridge, KY audience 10,000-20,000; weaken Calvinism


1804, Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery: “Take the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven.”John Smith at Lexington, KY unity meeting Dec. 25, 1831--Jan. 1, 1832: “Let us…be no longer Campbellites or Stoneites, New Lights or Old Lights, or any other kind of lights, but let us come to the Bible and the Bible alone, as the only book in the world that can give us all the light we need.”


Western Pennsylvania: Thomas and Alexander Campbell plead for restoration



Western Pennsylvania: Thomas and Alexander Campbell plead for restoration1808 leaves Presbyterian, works with Baptists1808 Thomas Campbell:

“Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent.” If infant baptism “not found in the Scriptures, we can have nothing to do with it.”



Western Pennsylvania and Virginia: Thomas and Alexander Campbell plead for restoration1809, Declaration and Address: “The Church of Christ will resume its “original unity, peace, and purity” if we “adopt the practice of the primitive Church, expressly exhibited in the New Testament.”



Western Pennsylvania and Virginia: Thomas and Alexander Campbell plead for restorationBrush Run Church, Washington County, PA formed in 1810, later joined the Baptist AssociationJune 12, 1812, Campbells immersed into Christ—not the Baptist Church!


Distinguished Old and New Covenants

“How few among the teachers of the New Testament seem to know that Christ’s ministers are not able ministers of the Old Testament, but of the New! Do they not…run to Moses to prove forms of worship, ordinances, discipline, and government in the Christian Church, when asked to account for their practices?” (Alexander letter 1812)

“Sermon on The Law” (1816 Redstone Baptist Association)


Gospel spread via journals and debates1830 dissolves Mahoning Baptist AssociationGreat harvest as thousands are converted, but opposes as “cult,” “Campbellites”, etc.



Western Reserve (Ohio): Walter Scott left Presbyterian, baptized in 1819 in Pittsburg, PAFive finger exercise: faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit



Southern states (Georgia): Christian Herman Dasher left Lutheran, baptized 1819.Dasher and S.C. Dunning (former Baptists) in Savannah baptized each other!


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristH. Restoration Plea: Now being put into practice!

The Great Commission— Matthew 28:18-20


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristH. Restoration Plea: Now being put into practice!Great Commission—Matt.28:18-20

Facts to believe: Death, burial and resurrection of ChristCommands to obey: Believe, repent, confess Christ, be immersed in waterPromises to be embrace: Remission of sins and hope of eternal life!


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristH. Restoration Plea: Now being put into practice!Work of the church— Matthew 28:18-20

Preach the gospel: 1 Timothy 3:15Worship God and Edify Saints: 1 Corinthians 14:26Benevolence of needy saints: Acts 6:1


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristH. Restoration Plea: Now being put into practice!Worship of the church— Matthew 28:18-20

1st Day of the Week: Lord Supper Acts 20:71st Day of the Week: Giving 1 Corinthians 16:2Pray: Acts 2:42Teach: Acts 2:42Sing: Ephesians 5:19


V. Gradual Return to the Authority of ChristH. Restoration Plea: Now being put into practice!Organization of the Church—Matt.28:18-20

Leadership: Elders {Presbyters} Pastors (Shepherds} Bishops {Overseers} Acts 14:23; 20:17,18Deacons to Serve: Acts 6:2,3



Evangelists: {Preachers} and Teachers to Instruct Ephesians 4:11All saints to participate in work and worship: Philippians 1:1Women Not to Exercise Lead Over Men: 1 Timothy 2:12



Each local church Independent, Autonomous {No “Mother” or “Satellite” Church}—Acts 14:23No Earthly Headquarters, No Central or Universal Organization


Invitation:

1. Matthew 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority: We must submit to receive salvation


introduction : 1. matthew 28:18-20: christ proclaimed his authority: we must submit to receive...

Documents

salvation slide