Scripture ReadingScripture ReadingDeut 4:1-8

““Ye shall not add Ye shall not add unto the word unto the word which I command which I command you, neither shall you, neither shall ye diminish from it, ye diminish from it,

that ye may that ye may keep the keep the commandments of commandments of Jehovah Jehovah your your God which I God which I command you.”command you.”

““By what authority? By what authority? ”Mt. ”Mt. 21:23-2721:23-27

“ “All authority has been given to me” All authority has been given to me” Mt. 28:18Mt. 28:18

“ “Authority” - “the right to determine, Authority” - “the right to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; the right to control, command, disputes; the right to control, command, or determine; (2) a body or person with or determine; (2) a body or person with such rights” such rights” American College DictAmerican College Dict

The Chain of The Chain of AuthorityAuthority

GodGod

Gen 1:1Gen 1:1ChristChrist

Mt 28:18Mt 28:18ApostlesApostlesMt 18:18Mt 18:18

HS Jn 14-16HS Jn 14-16

2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Jn 92 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Jn 9

How Do We Learn of How Do We Learn of God’s Authority?God’s Authority?

It is not learned in natureIt is not learned in nature Ps 19:1 “Heavens declare glory…” Ps 119:105 But His word directs us

It is not found in creeds It is not found in creeds Mt. 15:8-9Mt. 15:8-9 It is not impressed in man (instinct)It is not impressed in man (instinct)It is expressed It is expressed Heb. 1:1Heb. 1:1 Scripture is authoritative Scripture is authoritative 1 Pet 4:111 Pet 4:11

The Use of Human The Use of Human Reasoning Reasoning

in Understanding the in Understanding the BibleBible God created man with ability to God created man with ability to

reason & understand reason & understand Rom 12:1Rom 12:1 God’s message addressed to abilityGod’s message addressed to abilityMan must use reason to understandMan must use reason to understand

Isa 1:18; Acts 17:1-4; 18:4; 24:25

Promise: Truth is understandablePromise: Truth is understandable John 8:32; Eph 3:4; 5:17John 8:32; Eph 3:4; 5:17

How is Authority of How is Authority of Scripture Expressed?Scripture Expressed?

2 Tim 2:152 Tim 2:15 “Rightly divide” - “to cut “Rightly divide” - “to cut straight, to divide right” - “…make straight, to divide right” - “…make proper distribution of that word, proper distribution of that word, adapting [the] instructions to the adapting [the] instructions to the circumstances and wants of his hearers, circumstances and wants of his hearers, and giving to each that which will be and giving to each that which will be fitted to nourish the soul for heaven”fitted to nourish the soul for heaven” (Barnes’ Notes, II Tim., p. 225)(Barnes’ Notes, II Tim., p. 225)

““Rightly Dividing…”Rightly Dividing…”

Col. 2:14; 2 Cor 3:6-9Col. 2:14; 2 Cor 3:6-9 OT from NT OT from NT2 Pet 2:1-2; Heb 4:11f2 Pet 2:1-2; Heb 4:11f milk/meat milk/meatActs 20:26-27Acts 20:26-27 “Whole counsel of God” “Whole counsel of God”1 Tim 4:1f; 2 Tim 4:1f1 Tim 4:1f; 2 Tim 4:1f Reject error Reject errorGal 2:6Gal 2:6 Show no favoritism to men Show no favoritism to menThoughts from Thoughts from Psalms 119Psalms 119

God’s Three Methods God’s Three Methods of Teachingof Teaching

Commands, expressed statementsCommands, expressed statements 1 Jn 5:1-3; Rev 22:14

Approved Apostolic ExamplesApproved Apostolic Examples1 Cor 11:11 Cor 11:1

Divine Implications (Necessary Divine Implications (Necessary Inferences) - Speaker implies; Inferences) - Speaker implies; hearer infers hearer infers Eph 4:5 Eph 4:5 water baptismwater baptism

These Are God’s Way- These Are God’s Way- Not Man’sNot Man’s

Concept not widely acceptedConcept not widely accepted Emphasis during Campbell’s dayEmphasis during Campbell’s day But not “Restoration” conceptBut not “Restoration” concept Bible speaks in these 3 avenues to Bible speaks in these 3 avenues to

express God’s authorityexpress God’s authority Will prove from scriptures themselves Will prove from scriptures themselves

that 3 avenues express authoritythat 3 avenues express authority

Establishing Bible Establishing Bible AuthorityAuthority

““But how may scriptural authority be But how may scriptural authority be established? In order for a thing to be in established? In order for a thing to be in harmony with the scriptures there must be harmony with the scriptures there must be either: first an express command or either: first an express command or statement; second an approved example, and statement; second an approved example, and third a necessary inference in the word of God third a necessary inference in the word of God for it” for it” (Roy Cogdill, Cogdill-Woods Debate, p. 13).(Roy Cogdill, Cogdill-Woods Debate, p. 13). “With much “With much of brother Cogdill’s speech I am in complete of brother Cogdill’s speech I am in complete agreement..no one calls in question..” agreement..no one calls in question..” (ibid, p. 27).(ibid, p. 27).

But Some Do But Some Do Question It...Question It...

““I have listened closely to the three ways of I have listened closely to the three ways of establishing authority - command, example, establishing authority - command, example, inference. And I am persuaded that this needs inference. And I am persuaded that this needs closer examination. I believe that Bible auth- closer examination. I believe that Bible auth- ority rests solely on the revelationary nature ority rests solely on the revelationary nature of the scriptures, and that in dealing with of the scriptures, and that in dealing with necessary inference and approved examples necessary inference and approved examples involves the use of the mind, and therefore, involves the use of the mind, and therefore, interpretation” interpretation” (Reuell Lemmons, Arlington Meeting, p. 405).(Reuell Lemmons, Arlington Meeting, p. 405).

Some Deny Some Deny Necessary Necessary

Inferences...Inferences... ““The New Testament pattern ends where The New Testament pattern ends where revelation ends, that is where the specific revelation ends, that is where the specific mandate (command, tr) ends and where God mandate (command, tr) ends and where God allows human judgment to take over. Any allows human judgment to take over. Any time we have to to beyond the limits of the time we have to to beyond the limits of the specific revelation (or mandate) specific revelation (or mandate) to infer, to infer, deduce and go through a process of reasoning deduce and go through a process of reasoning to reach a conclusionto reach a conclusion, it is human and , it is human and can be can be no part of the divine patternno part of the divine pattern..” ..” (F L Lemley, FF, 9/17/74, p.597)(F L Lemley, FF, 9/17/74, p.597)

Some Deny Examples Some Deny Examples as Binding...as Binding...

““Those within the Restoration Movement Those within the Restoration Movement who have written on the subject usually have who have written on the subject usually have assumed that at least some of the New assumed that at least some of the New Testament examples are binding. In contrast, Testament examples are binding. In contrast, the New Testament seems to provide no basis the New Testament seems to provide no basis for this conclusion…the New Testament for this conclusion…the New Testament contains no rules for distinguishing important contains no rules for distinguishing important from unimportant examples” from unimportant examples” (Milo Hadwin, The Role of New (Milo Hadwin, The Role of New

Testament Examples as Related to Biblical Authority, p. v, foreward)Testament Examples as Related to Biblical Authority, p. v, foreward)

Some Reject Some Reject Commands...Commands... Those in “New Hermeneutic” Those in “New Hermeneutic”

Movement refer to Bible as a “love Movement refer to Bible as a “love letter” without any commands at all.letter” without any commands at all. So to some, Bible is only what each So to some, Bible is only what each one allows it to be, not what God chooses one allows it to be, not what God chooses to declare.to declare. But But John 6:44-45John 6:44-45 “hear, learn, come” “hear, learn, come”

God Expects Faith God Expects Faith Rom 10:17Rom 10:17 Reason Reason (Rom 12:1)(Rom 12:1) applies equally to applies equally to

Commands (which apply Mt 27:5; Jn 13:27 ) Examples (upper room Acts 20:8) Necessary Inference Mk 12:28

Man is not a senseless robotMan is not a senseless robot Or lost in darkness Or lost in darkness Ps 119:105Ps 119:105

God communicates to man God communicates to man Heb. 1:1Heb. 1:1

Our Appeal Is To The Our Appeal Is To The ScripturesScriptures 1 Pet 4:111 Pet 4:11

2 Tim. 3:16-172 Tim. 3:16-17 1 Jn 5:2-31 Jn 5:2-3 Speak where the Bible speaksSpeak where the Bible speaks

Be silent where the Bible is silentBe silent where the Bible is silentDo Bible Things in Bible WaysDo Bible Things in Bible Ways

Call Bible things by Bible NamesCall Bible things by Bible Names