How To Establish Authority

Don McClain

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Don McClain

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Authority

Romans 1:21-25

Don McClain

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Colossians Colossians 3:173:17

Whatsoever ye do in word

or deed, doall in the

name of the Lord Jesus...

The The ComprehensiveComprehensive Nature of The New Nature of The New

Testament Scriptures Testament Scriptures Understandable – Eph 3:3-5Understandable – Eph 3:3-5 Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim

3:16,173:16,17 Cannot Be Transgressed – 2 Cannot Be Transgressed – 2

John 9John 9 The totality of information The totality of information

revealed regarding any act revealed regarding any act of righteousness forms the of righteousness forms the pattern for that act – 2 Tim pattern for that act – 2 Tim 1:13; 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:3;1:13; 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:3;

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Science of

Interpretation

The Inductive MethodThis method is the compilation of all

references to the subject under consideration, including direct statements,

approved actions, and necessary implications.

When all the evidence is compiled and sifted through using the laws of

communication, including contextual considerations, then the true meaning

and the current application can be arrived at.

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"Because of our tie to the _constitutional pattern

approach_ we have grown farther and farther away from the intentions of the writers of the New Testament in our use of some of those writings...and farther and farther away from the legitimate cry of today's

human heart."

(Randy Mayeau, Nashville 12/88)

I I Love Love Jesus

Jesus

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"Over the years our position in churches of Christ has been that if we can restore the pattern of New

Testament Christianity there will be unity among our churches. Our

basis for restoring that pattern has centered around the three principles

of Hermeneutics - These three principles of Hermeneutics have led

us into a hard-line, _patternistic formalism_."

(Bill Swetmon, Nashville 12/88) Bill Swetmon

I I Love Love Jesus

Jesus

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"inspired of God" than any other hermeneutic devised by men to aid in the interpretation of a

written document. Personally, I think it is greatly flawed. . . . There are several who have suggested

legitimate, and I believe far more valid, approaches to biblical hermeneutics. Bro. F. LeGard Smith,

in one of his books, presented just such a hermeneutic. Al Maxey – 5-17-2001 Gospel Preachers List

I I Love Love Jesus

Jesus

Al Maxey

The CENI (Command, Example, Necessary Inference) hermeneutic,

contrary to the belief of some, did not fall directly from the throne room of God

into the hands of men. It is no more

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Rules of a game – Rules of a game – Establishing Legal Establishing Legal

precedent – precedent – Blue Prints in Blue Prints in

Construction – Construction – Text Books –Text Books –

English English ––

Science Science – – Math -Math -

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The reader who comes to terms with an author

and grasps his propositions and

reasoning shares the author’s mind. In fact, the whole process of

interpretation is directed toward a meeting of minds through the

medium of language. (How To Read A Book; Adler & Van Doren, Pg

153)

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– Direct Command or Statement.• Must Examine ContextScience

of Interpret

ation

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Don’t think Don’t think that if God that if God had spoken had spoken in nothing in nothing but direct but direct

statements statements or or

commands commands that unity that unity

would exist would exist - -

Baptism – Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21

There is but one body, one faith – Ep. 4:4,5

Women to keep silent in the church – 1 Cor. 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:11,12

Fellowship halls (eating and entertainment halls)? 1 Cor 11:22,34

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– Direct Command or Statement.• Must Examine Context

– Approved Apostolic Example.• Observation of Approved Activity of

first Century Christians.

Science of

Interpretation

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Understanding Approved Examples

Essential to Understanding and Abiding

in God’s Divine Will.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be ye followers of me, even as I also

am of Christ.

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Philippians 3:17 – 17Brethren, join in

following my exampleexample,, and note those who so

walk, as you have us for a patternpattern.

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Philippians 4:9Those things, which ye have both learned, and

received, and heard, andand seen in meseen in me, do: andand the God of peace shall be

with you.

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first Century Christians.– Necessary Implication.

• a logical and unavoidable conclusion drawn from statements or propositions.

Science of

Interpretation

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Jesus in reassuring John the Baptist (Mt. 11:3-5)

Jesus and the resurrection of the dead (Mt. 22:31-33; Lk. 20:37-40)

Jesus about the humanity and deity of the Messiah (Mt. 22:41-46)

Preaching the man involves preaching the plan (Acts 8:35-36)

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Direct Statement –Direct Statement – The elements of the Lord’s Supper – Jesus

took bread, . . . 27Then He took the cup, (Luke 22:18 Fruit of the vine)

Example –Example –When to observe the Lord’s supper - Upon

the first day of the week - Acts 20:7

Implication –Implication –Frequency of observance – Every first day

– “When the disciples came together to break bread” – Acts 20:7; (Ex 20:10)

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Jesus used these

principles to

establish His

teachings as

authoritative on the subject of divorce –

Mat. 19:4-6

Example –Example – Made them male and Made them male and

female - female - (Gen. 1:27)(Gen. 1:27) Direct statement –Direct statement –

Man shall leave and cleave Man shall leave and cleave & be one flesh & be one flesh – (Gen. 2:24)– (Gen. 2:24)

Implication – God joined – Implication – God joined – (cf (cf Mal 2:14)Mal 2:14)

Necessary Inference -Necessary Inference -What God has joined What God has joined

together, let not man together, let not man separate!” separate!” (Mat. 19:6)(Mat. 19:6)

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James appealed to direct statements. vs. 14-19

Paul referenced how God exemplified His will. v. 12

Peter argued by the implications of what God did. vs. 7-11; (cf. Acts 10,11)

The apostles

used these

principles to

establish the truth

on the subject

of circumcision Acts 15:7-19

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first Century Christians.– Necessary Implication.

• a logical and unavoidable conclusion drawn from statements or propositions.

Science of

Interpretation

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We must recognize the importance of establishing Divine authority for ALL we do!!

The Bible – (specifically the NT), is the ONLY source from whence Divine authority can be established

By compiling all references to the subject under consideration and by using the basic laws of communication, including contextual considerations, then the true meaning and the current application can be arrived at.

What is your attitude towards the need to establish authority for all that you do?

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Heaven Matthew 7:13,14,21-23Matthew 7:13,14,21-23Matthew 7:13,14,21-23

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– Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Ex. 20:8• Implication: every Sabbath

– went up straightway out of the water. Matt. 3:16• Implication: went down into the water.

– arise.. be baptized and wash away thy sins. Acts 22:16• Implication: not yet forgiven until baptism.

AuthorityAuthority

Understanding Implication Essential to Abiding in God’s Divine Will. (The Doctrine of

Christ)

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Direct statements

often contain

unavoidable conclusions

although not directly stated -

I Am the God of Abraham, of Isaac and Jacob” – (Mat. 22:32)

Implication - The Resurrection “blind receive sight, lame walk, gospel preached.” (Mt. 11:1-6)

Implication - Jesus was the promised Christ –

“Man your sins are forgiven you” –(Luke 5:20-24) Before Abraham was “I Am” – (John 8:58)

Implication - The Deity of Christ –

AuthorityAuthority

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• Making Application:– Faith in Christ.

AuthorityAuthorityBy What Authority Do You Do These Things

Hebrews 11 & James 2:19 Emphatically implies a certain kind of faith in salvation.

•many of them... believed. Acts 4:4•I believe Jesus is... Acts 8:37

•he that believeth. Mark 16:16•if ye believe not. John 8:24

Direct Statement

Example

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• Making Application:– Repentance.


Implication that repentance is more than a change of mind. Brought their books and

burned them. Acts 19:19

•Simon told to repent. Acts 8:22-24•The Corinthians - 2 Corinthians 7:9

•except ye repent. Luke 13:3•All Men everywhere – Acts 17:30

Direct Statement

Example

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• Making Application:– Confession of Faith.


John 12:42 Emphatically implies this is more than speaking to one’s self. Chief rulers

believed,... but did not confess.

•I believe that Jesus is... Acts 8:37

•Confess me. Matt. 10:32 Direct Statement

Example

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• Making Application:– Baptism for the remission of sins.


Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3-6; Gal. 3:27; Col.. 2:12 Emphatically implies

obedience to gospel in baptism is when one receives the forgiveness of sin, and enters into a new

relationship in Christ.

•he.. is baptized Mark 16:16

•he baptized him... Acts 8:38

Direct Statement

Example

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• Making Application:– The Mode of Baptism


Rom. 6:3-6; Col.. 2:12; John 3:23

Emphatically implies that the proper and only mode of baptism is immersion.

•Buried with Him through baptism, (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12)

•Went down – came up Acts 8:38,39

Direct Statement

Example

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The Lord’s Supper• Direct Statement –

– The elements of the Lord’s Supper – • Jesus took bread, . . . 27Then He took the cup,

(Luke 22:18 Fruit of the vine)• Example –

– When to observe the Lord’s supper• Upon the first day of the week - Acts 20:7

• Implication –– Frequency of observance –

• Every first day – “When the disciples came together to break bread” – Acts 20:7; (Ex 20:10)

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How To Establish Authority