ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE AUTHORITY

ATTITUDES TOWARD ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE AUTHORITYBIBLE AUTHORITY

ATTITUDES TOWARD ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE AUTHORITYBIBLE AUTHORITY

THE KEY TO WHAT IS RIGHT THE KEY TO WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG AMONG AND WRONG AMONG

“CHURCHES OF CHRIST”“CHURCHES OF CHRIST”

THE KEY TO WHAT IS RIGHT THE KEY TO WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG AMONG AND WRONG AMONG

“CHURCHES OF CHRIST”“CHURCHES OF CHRIST”

ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE AUTHORITYAUTHORITY

It is sad that not all churches of Christ teach and practice the same things.

It is sadder that these different teachings and practices are the result of different attitudes toward Bible authority.

Even sadder it is that many do not realize that these different attitudes exist.

It matters what attitude one has, because it is possible to have the wrong attitude.

But what attitude ought we to have?

ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE AUTHORITYAUTHORITY

THE CHANGING ATTITUDES OF ISRAEL THE CHANGING ATTITUDES OF ISRAEL TOWARD THE LAWTOWARD THE LAW

SECTARIANISM AMONG THE JEWS IN THE SECTARIANISM AMONG THE JEWS IN THE FIRST CENTURYFIRST CENTURY

ATTITITUDES AMONG “CHURCHES OF CHRIST”ATTITITUDES AMONG “CHURCHES OF CHRIST”

THE THREE WAYS JESUS ESTABLISHED THE THREE WAYS JESUS ESTABLISHED AUTHORITYAUTHORITY

THE CHANGING ATTITUDES OF ISRAEL THE CHANGING ATTITUDES OF ISRAEL TOWARD THE LAWTOWARD THE LAW

SECTARIANISM AMONG THE JEWS IN THE SECTARIANISM AMONG THE JEWS IN THE FIRST CENTURYFIRST CENTURY

ATTITITUDES AMONG “CHURCHES OF CHRIST”ATTITITUDES AMONG “CHURCHES OF CHRIST”

THE THREE WAYS JESUS ESTABLISHED THE THREE WAYS JESUS ESTABLISHED AUTHORITYAUTHORITY

THE CHANGING ATTITUDES OF THE CHANGING ATTITUDES OF ISRAEL TOWARD THE LAWISRAEL TOWARD THE LAW


Initially, they had an attitude that pleased the Initially, they had an attitude that pleased the LORD. LORD. Initially, they had an attitude that pleased the Initially, they had an attitude that pleased the LORD. LORD.

Exodus 19:1-2Exodus 19:1-2Exodus 19:1-2Exodus 19:1-2

In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.


And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:

'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.


And you shall be to Me a kingdom of And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' priests and a holy nation.'

These are the words which you shall These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." speak to the children of Israel."

So Moses came and called for the So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord them all these words which the Lord commanded him.commanded him.

Then all the people answered together Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the Lord has spoken and said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord. words of the people to the Lord.

Deuteronomy 5:23-25Deuteronomy 5:23-25

"So it was, when you heard the voice "So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, all the heads that you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders. And you of your tribes and your elders. And you said: said:

'Surely the Lord our God has shown 'Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. Now therefore, why he still lives. Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we the Lord our God anymore, then we shall die. shall die.

Deuteronomy 5:26-28Deuteronomy 5:26-28

'For who is there of all flesh who has 'For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? You go near and hear all have, and lived? You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.and we will hear and do it.''

Then the Lord heard the voice of your words Then the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: 'I have heard the voice of the words of me: 'I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. this people which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have They are right in all that they have spoken.'"spoken.'"



Initially, they had an attitude that pleased the Initially, they had an attitude that pleased the LORD. LORD.

This was conservative: “tending to This was conservative: “tending to preserve established institutions and preserve established institutions and methods and to resist or oppose any methods and to resist or oppose any changes in these.”changes in these.”

In time, however, they developed an attitude In time, however, they developed an attitude that displeased the LORD. that displeased the LORD.



In time, however, they developed an attitude In time, however, they developed an attitude that displeased the LORD. that displeased the LORD.

1 Kings 11:1-21 Kings 11:1-2

But King Solomon loved many foreign But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites-- from the nations of whom the Hittites-- from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, Lord had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love. Solomon clung to these in love.

1 Kings 11:3-61 Kings 11:3-6

And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. did his father David.

1 Kings 11:7-101 Kings 11:7-10

Then Solomon built a high place for Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. And he did likewise people of Ammon. And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. So incense and sacrificed to their gods. So the Lord became angry with Solomon, the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded. keep what the Lord had commanded.

1 Kings 11:11-131 Kings 11:11-13

Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, "Because Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, "Because you have done this, and have not kept My you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless I will not do it in your servant. Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However I tear it out of the hand of your son. However I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of my give one tribe to your son for the sake of my servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen."which I have chosen."

1 Kings 11:26-281 Kings 11:26-28

Then Solomon's servant, Jeroboam the son of Then Solomon's servant, Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zereda, whose Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zereda, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, also mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, also rebelled against the king. And this is what rebelled against the king. And this is what caused him to rebel against the king: caused him to rebel against the king: Solomon had built the Millo and repaired the Solomon had built the Millo and repaired the damages to the City of David his father. damages to the City of David his father.

The man Jeroboam was a mighty man of The man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon, seeing that the young valor; and Solomon, seeing that the young man was industrious, made him the officer man was industrious, made him the officer over all the labor force of the house of over all the labor force of the house of Joseph. Joseph.

1 Kings 11:29-301 Kings 11:29-30

Now it happened at that time, when Now it happened at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the way; and he had clothed him on the way; and he had clothed himself with a new garment, and the himself with a new garment, and the two were alone in the field. Then Ahijah two were alone in the field. Then Ahijah took hold of the new garment that was took hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces. on him, and tore it into twelve pieces.

1 Kings 11:31-321 Kings 11:31-32

And he said to Jeroboam, "Take for And he said to Jeroboam, "Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I will Lord, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you Solomon and will give ten tribes to you (but he shall have one tribe for the (but he shall have one tribe for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel), chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),

1 Kings 11:331 Kings 11:33

because they have forsaken Me, and because they have forsaken Me, and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the people of Ammon, and have not walked people of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways to do what is right in My in My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments, as did his father David. judgments, as did his father David.

1 Kings 11:34-351 Kings 11:34-35

However I will not take the whole However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, because I kingdom out of his hand, because I have made him ruler all the days of his have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of My servant David, life for the sake of My servant David, whom I chose because he kept My whom I chose because he kept My commandments and My statutes.commandments and My statutes. But I But I will take the kingdom out of his son's will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and give it to you--ten tribes. hand and give it to you--ten tribes.

1 Kings 11:36-381 Kings 11:36-38

And to his son I will give one tribe, that And to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may always have a My servant David may always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for Myself, to put which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there. So I will take you, and My name there. So I will take you, and you shall reign over all your heart you shall reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king over desires, and you shall be king over Israel. Then it shall be, if you heed all Israel. Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you. David, and will give Israel to you.

1 Kings 12:25-271 Kings 12:25-27

Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he went out from there and built Also he went out from there and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom may return to the "Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: If these people go up to house of David: If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah."back to Rehoboam king of Judah."

1 Kings 12:28-301 Kings 12:28-30

Therefore the king asked advice, made Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!" And he set up one in land of Egypt!" And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Bethel, and the other he put in Dan.

Now this thing became a sin, for the Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. as far as Dan.

1 Kings 12:31-321 Kings 12:31-32

He made shrines on the high places, and He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi. who were not of the sons of Levi. Jeroboam ordained a feast on the Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did at sacrifices on the altar. So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And at Bethel he installed the had made. And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which he had priests of the high places which he had made. made.

1 Kings 12:331 Kings 12:33

So he made offerings on the altar which So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. which he had devised in his own heart. And he ordained a feast for the children And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense. altar and burned incense.

Jeremiah 31:31-32Jeremiah 31:31-32

"Behold, the days are coming, says the "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- not according to the house of Judah-- not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the I was a husband to them, says the Lord." Lord."





In time, they developed an attitude that In time, they developed an attitude that displeased the LORD.displeased the LORD.

This was liberal: “favoring reform or This was liberal: “favoring reform or progress.”progress.”

Obviously, this was a change for the worse! Obviously, this was a change for the worse!



In time, they developed an attitude that In time, they developed an attitude that displeased the LORD.displeased the LORD.

This was liberal: “favoring reform or This was liberal: “favoring reform or progress.”progress.”

Obviously, this was a change for the worse! Obviously, this was a change for the worse!

SECTARIANISM AMONG THE JEWS SECTARIANISM AMONG THE JEWS IN THE FIRST CENTURYIN THE FIRST CENTURY


The Jews were divided into at least two sects. The Jews were divided into at least two sects.

Acts 23:6Acts 23:6

But when Paul perceived that one part But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"being judged!"



The Jews were divided into at least two sects.The Jews were divided into at least two sects.

Both the Sadducees and Pharisees were Both the Sadducees and Pharisees were liberal in their attitude toward the word of liberal in their attitude toward the word of God. God.

The Sadducees rejected the The Sadducees rejected the resurrection, angels and spirits. resurrection, angels and spirits.

Acts 23:7-8Acts 23:7-8

And when he had said this, a dissension And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection--and no angel or is no resurrection--and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.




Both the Sadducees and Pharisees were Both the Sadducees and Pharisees were liberal in their attitude toward the word of liberal in their attitude toward the word of God. God.

The Sadducees rejected the The Sadducees rejected the resurrection, angels and spirits. resurrection, angels and spirits.

The Pharisees elevated human traditions The Pharisees elevated human traditions above the commandment of God. above the commandment of God.

Mark 7:1-4Mark 7:1-4

Then the Pharisees and some of the Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. copper vessels, and couches.

Mark 7:5-7Mark 7:5-7

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"but eat bread with unwashed hands?"

He answered and said to them, "Well did He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'doctrines the commandments of men.'

Mark 7:8-10Mark 7:8-10

"For laying aside the commandment of "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." many other such things you do."

He said to them, "All too well you reject He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses may keep your tradition. For Moses said, said, 'Honor your father and your 'Honor your father and your mother';mother'; and, and, 'He who curses father or 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'mother, let him be put to death.'

Mark 7:11-13Mark 7:11-13

But you say, 'If a man says to his father But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"--' have received from me is Corban"--' (that is, a gift to God), then you no (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."And many such things you do."




Jesus was neither a Pharisee nor a Sadducee; Jesus was neither a Pharisee nor a Sadducee; He was simply a faithful Jew. He was simply a faithful Jew.

But this does not mean He was not a liberal or But this does not mean He was not a liberal or a conservative! a conservative!

He upheld the institutions and methods He upheld the institutions and methods established by His Father, and opposed established by His Father, and opposed those who wanted to reform them. those who wanted to reform them.

Therefore, He had a conservative attitude Therefore, He had a conservative attitude toward the authority of God’s word!toward the authority of God’s word!

ATTITITUDES AMONG “CHURCHES ATTITITUDES AMONG “CHURCHES OF CHRIST”OF CHRIST”


Churches with a conservative attitude toward Churches with a conservative attitude toward Bible authority insist on authority from Christ, Bible authority insist on authority from Christ, whether generic or specific, for all that is whether generic or specific, for all that is taught and practiced, having no desire to go taught and practiced, having no desire to go beyond what is written.beyond what is written.

Colossians 3:17Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do in word or deed, And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father giving thanks to God the Father through Him. through Him.

1 Corinthians 4:61 Corinthians 4:6

Now these things, brethren, I have Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.up on behalf of one against the other.

2 Timothy 4:6-82 Timothy 4:6-8

For I am already being poured out as a For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. who have loved His appearing.



Churches with a conservative attitude toward Churches with a conservative attitude toward Bible authority insist on authority from Christ, Bible authority insist on authority from Christ, whether generic or specific, for all that is whether generic or specific, for all that is taught and practiced, having no desire to go taught and practiced, having no desire to go beyond what is written.beyond what is written.

Churches with a liberal attitude toward Bible Churches with a liberal attitude toward Bible authority teach and practice what they want, authority teach and practice what they want, with or without authority from Christ, desiring with or without authority from Christ, desiring to reform the work and worship of the church, to reform the work and worship of the church, according to their likes and dislikes.according to their likes and dislikes.



God warns those with a liberal attitude: God warns those with a liberal attitude:

Anyone who goes beyond Christ’s Anyone who goes beyond Christ’s teaching and does not continue to follow teaching and does not continue to follow only his teaching does not have God. But only his teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching whoever continues to follow the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son. of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

If someone comes to you and does not If someone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome or bring this teaching, do not welcome or accept that person into your house. If accept that person into your house. If you welcome such a person, you share in you welcome such a person, you share in the evil work. (2 John 9-11, NCV).the evil work. (2 John 9-11, NCV).

THE THREE WAYS JESUS THE THREE WAYS JESUS ESTABLISHED AUTHORITYESTABLISHED AUTHORITYTHE THREE WAYS JESUS THE THREE WAYS JESUS

ESTABLISHED AUTHORITYESTABLISHED AUTHORITYCommands of His Father.Commands of His Father.

John 12:48-50John 12:48-50

He who rejects Me, and does not receive He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."told Me, so I speak."



Examples of His Father.Examples of His Father.

John 5:19John 5:19

Then Jesus answered and said to them, Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like does, the Son also does in like manner." manner."



Examples of His FatherExamples of His Father.

Implications of His Father’s statements.Implications of His Father’s statements.

Matthew 22:23-25Matthew 22:23-25

The same day the Sadducees, who say The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, saying: "Teacher, and asked Him, saying: "Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother.his wife to his brother.


Likewise the second also, and the third, Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her."will she be? For they all had her."


Jesus answered and said to them, "You Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. angels of God in heaven.

But concerning the resurrection of the But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, spoken to you by God, saying, 'I am the 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."the dead, but of the living."



Examples of His FatherExamples of His Father.

Implications of His Father’s statements.Implications of His Father’s statements.

These are, obviously, methods of establishing These are, obviously, methods of establishing authority that need to be preserved.authority that need to be preserved.

WHAT ATTITUDEWHAT ATTITUDESHALL WE HAVE?SHALL WE HAVE?WHAT ATTITUDEWHAT ATTITUDESHALL WE HAVE?SHALL WE HAVE?

What shall our attitude be? What shall our attitude be?

We must realize that we cannot straddle the We must realize that we cannot straddle the fence between conservatism and liberalism! fence between conservatism and liberalism!

Luke 11:23Luke 11:23

"He who is not with Me is against Me, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me and he who does not gather with Me scatters."scatters."

WHAT ATTITUDEWHAT ATTITUDESHALL WE HAVE?SHALL WE HAVE?WHAT ATTITUDEWHAT ATTITUDESHALL WE HAVE?SHALL WE HAVE?

What shall our attitude be? What shall our attitude be?

We must realize that we cannot straddle the We must realize that we cannot straddle the fence between conservatism and liberalism! fence between conservatism and liberalism!

If we care whether the LORD is pleased with If we care whether the LORD is pleased with us, we will want authority from Christ for us, we will want authority from Christ for everything we teach and practice! everything we teach and practice!

If we want to go to heaven when we die, we If we want to go to heaven when we die, we will manifest the same attitude toward Bible will manifest the same attitude toward Bible authority that our LORD manifested; we will authority that our LORD manifested; we will be conservative! Because that is the only way be conservative! Because that is the only way we can be sound.we can be sound.

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ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE AUTHORITY