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BIBLICALLYIn Light of Todays CultureTHINKINGWhat is the Basis of our Authority?

Main PointCurrent Christianity is filled with confusion concerning what is right and wrong in our culture. Much of the confusion is caused by a failure to believe or a refusal to accept the sufficiency of Scripture. We expect the world to reject the Word, but not the church. Many Christians do not believe the Word is sufficient. However, we propose that the scripture is truly sufficient in EVERYTHING!What This Course Is NotClassical ApologeticsConfessional TheologyonlyLegalistic ViewpointsComprehensive Discussion of all Cultural IssuesWhat This Course IsEstablish the rock solid authority base upon which believers live, make decisions, and affect their cultureTool to learn how to use this authority baseBFC AOF 11-1 The Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired, infallible Word of God, a divine revelation, the original writings of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit. They are the supreme and final authority of faith and conduct.BFC AOF 11-2 Inspiration is a special act of the Holy Spirit by which He guided the writers of the Scriptures so that their words would convey the thoughts He wished conveyed, would bear a proper relationship to the thoughts of the other inspired books, and would be kept free from error of fact, doctrine, and judgment. BFC AOF 11-3 The Holy Scriptures, the written Word of God, are composed of all books of the Old Testament and New TestamentAuthorityWhat Right Do I have To Claim Scriptural Authority?SynopsisThose writings that are acknowledged to be the word of God are to be revered as issuing from him and as having his authority.Recognition of a Body of Sacred Writings in the OTAnd all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. (Nehemiah 8:1, ESV) Recognition of a Body of Sacred Writings by Jesus ChristBut Jesus answered them, You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29, ESV) Recognition of a Body of Sacred Writings by the ApostlesBut as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:1415, ESV)Recognition of a Body of Sacred Writings by the Early ChurchNow these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11, ESV)

The Authority of Scripture Recognized in the OTForever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. (Psalm 119:89, ESV)Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, (Joshua 23:6, ESV)The Authority of Scripture Recognized in the NTJesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, I said, you are gods? If he called them gods to whom the word of God cameand Scripture cannot be broken do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:3436, ESV)Jesus Christ Claims Scriptural Authority for His Own WordsTruly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:3435, ESV)InspirationThe Miraculous Act of the Holy SpiritSynopsisThe Holy Spirit inspires prophecy and gives knowledge of God, insight and wisdom. Scripture declares itself to have been inspired by God.The Meaning of InspirationAll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:1617, ESV)

Theopneustos: understood as the air that was physically expelled out of the lungs of God.Purpose of Inspirationthat the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, (Ephesians 1:17, ESV)Purpose of ScriptureWhy did God give us His Special Revelation?SynopsisScripture has been given by God to lead people to know him, place their faith in him, and live for him. Through Scripture believers are then nurtured in faith and led to spiritual maturityTo Know GodFor since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21, ESV)To Lead Gods People to SalvationBut as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:1415, ESV)To Lead Gods People to MaturityAll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:1617, ESV)Impart KnowledgeCriticism and CensureReplace a mistakeCultivating the mind and actions of a disciple26Sufficiency of ScriptureIs Scripture really Sufficient for faith and Life?SynopsisScripture is presented as being of itself sufficient for faith and for life.Gods Written Revelation is SufficientAnd now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:12, ESV)The NT Records the Completion and Fulfillment of the OTLong ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:12, ESV)Warnings against turning from, or adding to, the Apostolic GospelI warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:1819, ESV)Descriptions of Scripture Point to its Sufficiency: Scripture is GoodSo the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. (Romans 7:12, ESV)Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, (1 Timothy 1:8, ESV)Descriptions of Scripture Point to its Sufficiency: Scripture is PerfectThe law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; (Psalm 19:7, ESV)Descriptions of Scripture Point to its Sufficiency: Scripture is EternalForever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. (Psalm 119:89, ESV)For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18, ESV)So What?So what do we do with all this information?God is our Authority and His Word is Our GuidePurpose in our heart that you will seek no other authorityPursue with diligence the study of Gods WordPractice holiness as a result of what you learn