[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 003 Iss 027

[T. Sean Sullivan]

      T
     
he Messenger 2008

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514

 

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

 

VOLUME 003::ISSUE 027:: August 03, 2008  

 

 

ARTICLE ONE:  Why We Do What We Do #1

ARTICLE TWO:  Why We Do What We Do #2

 

Article One: Why We Do What We Do #1

Introduction:

In Matthew 21:23 the Chief Priests and the Elders confronted          Jesus with a question. "By what authority are You doing these things?" That question was valid then and it stands valid today. By what authority do we do these things? By what authority do we sing? Pray?  Partake of the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine? By what authority do we meet together? Why not have: a gymnasium or a piano? Can you give a clear and concise answer to those questions? All of us need to know why we do the things we do.  And we need to be ready to give a defense of them (1 Peter 3:15).

God is the final and only authority. Certain practices have been established for us and we must do only as He has authorized (1 Peter 4:11 "oracles" = authoritative words). 

Where are the authoritative words of God? The word of God has been given-we know this delivered message as the Bible (Hebrews 1:1-2)?

God the Father gave "all authority" to His Son Jesus Christ and it is the words of Jesus by which we are authorized (Matthew 28:18-20). All authority has been given to Jesus in Heaven and on earth. Therefore we have NO authority to change or add anything to that which He has established. The New Testament provides a fully functional pattern of worship and practice that has been set for us. Let's consider further, subject of scriptural authority.

 

What Is Scriptural Authority?

In reality, it is God's authorization for our practices as declared through the revealed scriptures. God has given us direction by the means of the written word (Hebrews 1:1-2). That word is a complete and all sufficient guide for all that we must do (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). It is God's word alone that leads us to righteousness, there are no other options or opportunities-nothing else will do (Galatians 1:6-8). Anything, other than, less than, or more than, the word of God, will lead us away from God.

We need the scriptures to demonstrate God's authorization for what we do. We study the scriptures to learn and know what God expects so we might please God- being approved by Him (Ephesians 5:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:15). 

No man has the ability to authorize a practice separate from that which God authorizes. Today, "churches" have decided to do so many things with total disregard for what God wants. We cannot decide for ourselves how to please God. All that is known about our Creator is found in His word and His word alone tells us what is pleasing to Him.   

 

We Must Respect The Things That Are Said By God.

God has said some things in the past: God spoke through the prophets to the children of Israel. God gave them commands and they were to follow those commands. We clearly see how serious God was about those commands when we consider: Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2) or Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:1-8).  

God has some new commands for today: The former things-the Old Testament-is done away (Matthew 17:1-8; Colossians 2:14). The Old Testament is no longer authoritative: We cannot please God by following or practicing the things under the old law (Romans 3:19-24). God has spoken to you and I for a reason and He has accomplished this one specific way-for the period of time known as "the last days" God has spoken through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus has revealed the standard of judgment (John 12:48-50), Jesus has proclaimed the way to eternal life (John 6:67-68). Jesus revealed God's will for your life and mine (Matthew 7:21). His recorded word is our instruction in righteousness       (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Without this revealed communication we could not know what is right-what is pleasing.

God's rewards are for those who do His will (Matthew 7:21-23; Hebrews 10:35). Heaven-eternal life is only for those who DO God's will. Those who go beyond or break God's law will be cast out (Matthew 13:41-42 "Lawlessness"-doing without authority.)

We must do what God has decided is pleasing (1 John 3:4). In 2 John 9 tells us that we must abide "In the doctrine" tells us two important things: There are limitations to His doctrine and to be outside those limitations is to be without. 

 

Authority is a MUST 

Remember the important question the Chief Priests and Elders asked? Matthew 21:23 "By what authority are You doing these things?"  This is the question that we must ask of ourselves? By what authority we do: Baptize for the remission of sins? Partake of the Unleavened Bread and the Fruit of Vine? Gather on the First Day of the week? If there is no authority from God's word then we must quit the practice.

The importance of Authority is clearly stated by Christ in the words of (Matthew 7:21-23). Not everyone who claims the Lord will be accepted. Not everyone who does religious works will be accepted. Not everyone who does things in the name of Jesus will be accepted. Not everyone will be welcomed into heaven only those who do the will of the Father in Heaven. We cannot determine our own pathway or our own "good works". 

God's will is His own, we do not invent it as we go along, nor to we sway it by our inventions. If you want to go to Heaven there is only one way-by doing the will of the Father. 

Conclusion:

Scriptural Authority is absolute in importance. The Bible is our guide to pleasing God, but it must be followed correctly, or a Paul said, "rightly divided". We need to study the word of God so that we know what to do, how to do it and also so that we are enabled to tell others why we do what we do. The Bible is the only true guide we have; we need to use it properly and diligently find its rewards. ~tss

 

            

Article Two:  Why We Do What We Do #2

 

Introduction:

God has told us what to do! People tend to forget that the Bible is very much written by our Almighty Creator. The Bible is not just some men's take on what we should do in religion (2 Peter 1:19-21). God's revealed pattern for our lives is set-the New Testament is our complete and fully functional pattern. We need no other source of information (1 Corinthians 4:6). However, not every example or every word of the New Testament is to be emulated or followed. 

There are examples that pertain to specific situation that we do not have today. Acts 2:45 the brethren who stayed in Jerusalem longer then they had planned were running out of supplies, so those who had goods shared with those who did not, by selling and dividing the proceeds. This does not authorize the necessity of financial equality. We know from other passages that we must meet our brethren needs (1 Timothy 1:17-19). This example from Acts 2 was specific to one situation and is not to be forced on every situation. There are words that we can't claim as authoritative today. Luke 5:4-6 after catching no fish all night Peter was told to go out into the deep to try again. These are not words of authority for us to do the same. This again, was specific to that one event. We have to read and rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)-we need to search the scriptures to know God's desires.

Let's consider how to recognize scriptural authority in this         lesson. The methods that we will use are not necessarily religious; in matters of interpreting any written words we search for and use these elements to understand what the words are teaching. Last week we look at Acts 15 where these three points of authority and the prohibition of silence were used. We are now going to examine these points in finer detail. 

 

Precept/Command: 

A direct statement or commandment is the most easily recognized part of scriptural authority; it is a command or directive issued from one having authority. Some examples are: Matthew 28:19 Jesus said "Go"; Acts 2:38 The apostle Peter said, "Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of your sins" by these examples we clearly see the voice of commands. Similarly Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:1 said, "As I have given command.so you must do also". 

We have direct statements or commands for the things that we do. Consider the acts of worship: meeting together (Hebrews 10:24-25), preaching (2 Timothy 4:1-5), prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18), singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), and the collection (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).  We will consider, these things, more specifically in our next lesson.

 

Approved Example:

An approved example is an "authorized" practice of the church in the first century (recorded in the New Testament). The approval is found in the apostolic direction or recorded approval (whether in their presence or through epistles). The apostles being authorized by God would not endorse an unauthorized practice. 

Remember not all examples are binding; not all examples are authoritative. The authoritative examples are for all times and are not found in the examples of specific or special events. For example: one specific event is found among the brethren in Acts 2:44-46. The situation records them selling all to share with their fellow brethren in need. An example of a general situation that teaches what needs to be done everywhere is Acts 20:7 "The disciples came together on the first day of the week" -to worship that is an example for all times. We have no example of them meeting to worship on any other day. Approved Authoritative Examples are clearly approved by God and are not for a specific event but generally for all times. We can consider the example of meeting on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). The apostle Paul endorsed this practice by his presence. 

Also we can use Paul's example as authority for praying when times are good (Philippians 1:3) or when times are bad (Acts 16:25) and praying for one another (Philemon 1:4) and praying as a group (Acts 21:5). All these are approved examples for us to find authority in to do the same.

 

Necessary Conclusion: 

Is that which, is neither expressly stated nor shown in example but must be clearly concluded as necessary. These conclusions must be based on the language and intention of the context.  E.g. Acts 20:7"the disciples came together on the first day of the week". Since each week has a first day.  We can safely conclude that we must gather to break bread every first day of the week. We must not force a conclusion. We must come to a conclusion that simply and sensibly fits. 

Another example may help clarify this. Jesus makes a statement in Matthew 18:20 "Where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there in the midst of them." This is not a command to gather. This is not an example of gathering. It is a statement from which we can safely conclude that Christ authorizes gathering in His name.

 

Silence: 

This is probably the hardest for most to come to grips with. We must have authority for all things. We cannot do anything that has not been authorized. If God is silent concerning one thing or another we must respect His silence. Some think, "As long as I am not told, 'Thou shall not'". I can do what I want.  This is not way the scriptures were intended. Each of us here should understand the principle of silence from this classic example: Mom says, "Go buy a loaf of bread." Some scriptures that declare that silence is authoritatively prohibitive: Acts 15:24 ".we gave no such command"; Jeremiah 10:23 "It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps".

 We must seek God's direction (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). If God hasn't told us what to do we are not capable of making up the directions ourselves.  When we have no words of directive, example, or those that clearly lead to a conclusion, we have only silence and therefore no authority.

 

Conclusion:

To give a defense of our faith and our practices we must know by what authority we do what we do (1 Peter 3:15). We must study to show ourselves approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15). For a practice to be authorized only one of the above mentioned methods is required. For some practices we have all three, and others just one of the three. God has delivered His word so we might please Him by hearing and doing (James 1:17-22). We can please God today, by doing His will without guessing or doubting-we can do what He desires. Do you want to be pleasing to God?  We are authorized to offer you this hope through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). ~tss

 

 

      



 

If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   

Sean

 

 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080802/420cd29f/attachment-0001.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 2886 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080802/420cd29f/attachment-0001.jpe 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/gif
Size: 9535 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080802/420cd29f/attachment-0001.gif