Establishing Authority Colossians 3 17 Prerequisites to Establishing

Establishing Authority Colossians 3: 17

Prerequisites to Establishing Authority Desire God’s Wisdom – Ephesians 5: 17; 1 Corinthians 3: 18 -20 Abide in the Word of Christ – John 8: 31 -32; 2 John 9 Handle the Word Accurately – 2 Timothy 2: 15 Hold Fast the Pattern – 2 Timothy 1: 13; 2 Thessalonians 2: 15

Establishing Authority Declaration – when something is directly stated or positively commanded. • Example in the great commission (Mark 16): • v. 15 – command; v. 16 – statement • As used by Jesus (Matthew 22): • vv. 36 -40 – command; vv. 41 -45 – statement

Establishing Authority Declaration Approved Example – when a thing is practiced by the church or Christians in the NT under Divine guidance and appointment. • Example in what was done to be saved: • Acts 2: 40 -41 – they were baptized. • As used by Jesus: • John 13: 14 -15 – I, your Lord, am your example.

Establishing Authority Declaration; Approved Example Necessary Inference – When something, although not directly stated or commanded, is necessarily implied by the text, and we then necessarily infer. • Example, calling on the name of the Lord: • Acts 22: 16 – being baptized. • As used by Jesus: • Luke 20: 37 -38 – the dead are raised.

Applications of Authority Conflict over Circumcision (cf. Acts 15) • Note (Galatians 2): • v. 2 – by revelation; v. 4 – false brethren; 5 – no yielding. • Peter – vv. 7 -11 – necessary inference. • Barnabas/Paul – v. 12 – approved example. • James – vv. 13 -19 – declaration. v.

Applications of Authority Conflict over Circumcision (cf. Acts 15) The Lord’s Supper • Declaration – 1 Corinthians 11: 23 -26 – observance. • Approved Example – Acts 20: 7 – time. • Necessary Inference – Acts 20: 7 – frequency. • Compare – “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Exodus 20: 8).

The Nature of Authority Common Misunderstandings • “Unless a thing is specifically mentioned in the Bible it is not authorized”? • “We do a lot of things without Bible authority”?

The Nature of Authority Dual Nature of Authority • Generic (inclusive) – Anything authorized by God necessarily includes the authority for whatever is necessary and incidental in fulfilling the authorized action. • Specific (exclusive) – Anything specified in the authorized action necessarily excludes all other things. Anything not specified in the authorized action, unless it is necessary and incidental in fulfilling the authorized action, is excluded.

The Nature of Authority Dual Nature of Authority • A thing may be authorized even though it is not specifically mentioned. (Generic – inclusive) • A thing may be unauthorized even though it is not specifically condemned. (Specific – exclusive) Examples: • Noah’s Ark – Genesis 6: 14 -16 • Music in Worship – Ephesians 5: 18 -19 Will we walk in these ways? (cf. Jeremiah 6: 16)

Establishing Authority Colossians 3: 17