the authority of christ

THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

Matt. 28:18-20

[By Ron Halbrook]

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Introduction:1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority:

we must submit to receive salvation

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Matt. 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in ScriptureA. How Is the Authority of Christ Expressed?

Pope, president?Councils, conventions?Creeds?Traditions?Modern revelations?Dreams, visions?Emotions?

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in ScriptureB. Only in Words: Scripture

John 16:13 Christ’s promise to Apostles

Jn. 16:13 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

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1 Cor. 1:10; 2:13; 4:6 Apostles’ teaching

I Cor. 1:10 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

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1 Cor. 1:10; 2:13; 4:6 Apostles’ teaching

I Cor. 2:13 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

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THE AUTHORITY OF CHRISTI. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture

B. Only in Words: Scripture1 Cor. 1:10; 2:13; 4:6 Apostles’ teaching

I Cor. 4:6 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

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Gal. 1:8-9 No other message

Gal. 1:8-9 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

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2 John 9 Abide in Christ’s teaching

2 Jn. 9 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

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Jude 3 Contend for the faith

Jude 3 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in ScriptureC. How Do Words Communicate?

Bible words function in same way as all human language— no special theology

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Two kinds of terms:General: a class of things. “Go,” generic mode of travel

Mk. 16:15 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

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Two kinds of terms:Specific: one thing in a class. “First day” specifies one

Acts 20:7 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them…

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Two kinds of terms:As in all normal language: Generic: request “food” Specific: request “rice”

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Express thoughts in three ways:Direct statement: believe, baptized, saved

Mk. 16:16 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

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Express thoughts in three ways:Approved example: met on “first day,” Paul approved & participated

Acts 20:7 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

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Express thoughts in three ways:Necessary implication: speaker implies, hearer infers or concludes. “Went up…out of the water” implies “went down into the water”

Matt. 3:16 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water…

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Express thoughts in three ways:As in all normal language: at school Direct statement: names, dates, places Approved example: math exercises Necessary implication: apple falling

implies gravity, what goes up…

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Express thoughts in three ways:As in all normal language: at home Direct statement: clean your room Approved example: tie shoe strings Necessary implication: “dinner is ready”

implies “come & eat”

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Express thoughts in three ways:As in all normal language: in law Direct statement: statutes Approved example: common law Necessary implication: rights imply duties

(free speech, proper speech)

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Express thoughts in three ways:As in all normal language: debate in Acts 15 proves Gentiles saved by gospel, not Moses’ Law

Acts 15:5 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

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Express thoughts in three ways:As in all normal language: debate proves Gentiles saved by gospel Direct statement: Amos 9 promised

Acts 15:17 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

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Express thoughts in three ways:As in all normal language: debate proves Gentiles saved by gospel Approved example: Paul’s example

Acts 15:12 12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

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Express thoughts in three ways:As in all normal language: debate proves Gentiles saved by gospel Necessary implication: Holy Spirit baptism

confirmed day of salvation in Christ for Jew (Acts 2), same for Gentile (Acts 10)

Acts 15:8 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

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C. How Do Words Communicate?Express thoughts in three ways:

As in all normal language: debate proves Gentiles saved by gospel No statement, example, or implication:

God’s silence on binding Moses’ Law forbids!

Acts 15:24 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in ScriptureD. All Things We Preach & Practice Must Be Authorized by the New Testament

Book, chapter, & verseGeneral or specific termsStatement, example, or implicationDivine silence forbids, excludes, & prohibitsSpeak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silentOriginal church of Christ under his authority

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Invitation:1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority:


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(Part 2)

Matt. 28:18-20

[By Ron Halbrook]

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Introduction:1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority:


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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in ScriptureA. How Is the Authority of Christ Expressed?B. Only in Words: ScriptureC. How Do Words Communicate?

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in ScriptureD. All Things We Preach & Practice Must Be Authorized by the New Testament


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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in ScriptureE. When God Is Specific

Specific terms in Scripture function the same as in all normal language: Generic terms: include all things in a class

(as food) Specific terms: identify one thing in a class

excluding all others (as rice)Observe this principle to abide under the authority of Christ

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CLASS SPECIFIC EXCLUDEWoods Gopher Wood All Other Woods

Gen. 6:14 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

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CLASS SPECIFIC EXCLUDETribes Levi All Other Tribes

Heb. 7:14 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

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CLASS SPECIFIC EXCLUDEAction in Water Immerse All Other Actions

Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture E. When God Is Specific

CLASS SPECIFIC EXCLUDEMusic Sing All Other Music

Eph. 5:19 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

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CLASS SPECIFIC EXCLUDEMusic Sing All Other Music

Col. 3:1616 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

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CLASS SPECIFIC EXCLUDEDivorced People Innocent

Put Away Guilty& Remarry

All Other Cases

Matt. 19:9 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in ScriptureF. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions

Commands in Scripture function the same as in all normal language: Aid: “give me rice” includes bag to carry it Addition: “rice” excludes all other foodsObserve this principle to abide under the authority of Christ

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions

COMMAND AIDS ADDITIONSSing Books,

LightsInstrumental Music:

Another Kind of Music

Eph. 5:19 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude Additions

COMMAND AIDS ADDITIONSBaptize Baptistry Sprinkling:

Another Kind of Action

Matt. 28:19 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude AdditionsCOMMAND AIDS ADDITIONS

Assemble to Break Bread 1st Day of Week

Building, Seats,

Heat

Saturday: Another Day

Acts 20:7 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them...

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Church Preach the Gospel

Radio, TV, Literature

Missionary Society: Another

Organization

1 Tim. 3:15 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

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Church Relieve Destitute Saints

Money, Food, Shelter

Benevolent Society: Another

Organization

Acts 6:3 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

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F. Commands Include Aids & Exclude AdditionsCOMMAND AIDS ADDITIONSChurch Edify

ItselfClasses,

WorkbooksSunday School Society:

Another Organization

Eph. 4:11-12 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

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I. Authority of Christ Expressed in ScriptureG. All Things We Preach & Practice Must Be Authorized by the New Testament


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Invitation:1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority:


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