I. INTRODUCTION
A. The beginning point of our study should be satisfactory to those gathered
here: God has inherent authority.
1. For our study to be successful we must all believe in the existence of
God.
2. Also we must have some respect for the inspiration of the scriptures.
B. The Bible is the final authority in God's dealings with man.
1. The best way to avoid religious controversy is for us all to appeal to
one standard of authority.
a. If we want to know how warm this room is, we use a thermometer.
b. To measure this speakers podium we use a ruler.
c. In either case, we are using an accepted standard to determine the answer
and not someone's think so or estimate.
2. The one standard of religious authority for those of us claiming or wanting
to be Christians should and must be the Bible. This eliminates the need
for man-made creed books or traditions.
II. DISCUSSION
A. God Has Inherent Authority Even an atheist would admit "if God exists,
then He has all authority." If He created everything, then everything
belongs to Him.
B. God Delegated All Authority to Jesus
1. Mt. 28:18 ..."all authority has been given unto me in heaven and
on earth." Given by Whom? The only One with authority to delegate authority
God.
2. Jn. 12:49 This passage demonstrates that Jesus had this delegated authority.
Jesus didn't just do and teach what he wanted to or felt like, but He acted
under the authority of the Father. It is our obligation to have the same
respect for the Father's authority.
C. Jesus Delegated Authority to His Apostles.
1. Jn. 20:21 in the same way God sent Christ, Christ sent the Apostles.
2. Jn. 13:20 We receive the apostles by receiving their teaching and obeying
it. If we receive the apostles teaching then we receive Christ, and if we
receive Christ then we receive God. The opposite also holds true, to reject
the apostles teaching is to ultimately reject Christ and God the Father!
D. The Apostles Wrote the Bible Eph. 3:3-5 Paul claims that the apostles
wrote the New Testament with the divine authority delegated to them by Christ.
1. The mystery is the gospel of Christ according to Rom. 16:25,26. It is
called a mystery because it had to be revealed, not because it could not
be revealed.
2. Paul further claims that when we read the gospel we can perceive it the
same way that he (Paul) could. The Bible was written to be understood by
the common man. It was even commanded to be understood (Eph. 5:17).
3. Do not overlook our main point: The gospel was revealed to the Apostles
by God Himself.
E. The Holy Spirit Guided the Apostles How did the Apostles (men) write
the Bible without mistakes?
1. Jn. 14:26 Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide
their teaching. This passage only applies to the Apostles. To test a modern
day "Apostle" simply have them recall everything that is recorded
in the Bible as the Holy Spirit brings him remembrance!
2. 1 Cor. 2:10-13 This is the most extensive passage in the Bible on inspiration
and it tells us to what extent the Apostles were inspired. In this passage
Paul states four great truths:
a. Man has a conscious spirit that knows his things..(desires, likes, dislikes,
goals, etc.) This contradicts the devil made me do it philosophy.
b. We do not know a man's likes or dislikes unless he tells us.
c. Likewise we do not know God's things (likes, dislikes, etc.) unless He
tells us.
d. These verses reveal that the Bible was verbally inspired. Reading the
Bible gives us access to the precise words authorized by God through Christ
and the Holy Spirit.
F. We Cannot add To, Take From, or Change the Bible
1. We cannot add to the Bible:
a. Rev. 22:18,19 in this context the prohibition only applies to the book
of Revelation, but it illustrates a principle that has always been consistent
with God. (Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:6)
b. 2 Jn. 9-11 Here John spells out the general rule and teaches us three
important truths:
(1) If we refuse to stay within the truth that came from Christ (the Bible),
then we do not have God.
(2) We cannot support any teacher or preacher or elder that does not teach
that one must abide in the teachings of Christ to be in fellowship (a right
relationship) with God.
(3) Works done without the authority of Christ are evil, presumptuous works
and not works of faith.
2. We cannot subtract from the Bible: Rev. 22:19 the general rule also holds
true for taking away from God's word.
3. We cannot change the Bible: Gal. 1:8 The Bible is as authoritative as
if God Himself spoke out of heaven. It is divine truth. This verse contains
two remarkable statements:
a. If an apostle came back to life and taught anything that contradicts
the gospel as it was first given, he would be set apart for destruction.
b. If an angel came down from heaven and taught contrary to the gospel,
he would be set apart for destruction, too.
III. CONCLUSION In the Bible, God Has Told Us Everything
He Will Tell Us
A. Jude 3: The reason God does not want us to tamper with the Bible is because
it is all we have, He will tell us no more in this lifetime.
1. "the faith" Gal. 1:11,23 the faith referred to here is nothing
more than the gospel. In verse 11 Paul said he preached the gospel, but
in verse 23 he said he preached the faith. This is not a contradiction,
but an explanation of what the gospel is: a system of salvation by faith,
that is self-perpetuating, that is it produces faith. (Rom. 10:17).
1. "once for all" once so that it needs no repetition. Heb. 9:27,28
As Christ died once for all, and we physically die once, so the gospel was
given once.
2. "delivered" it was delivered exactly once.
B. 2 Pet. 1:3 the Bible does not claim to teach us everything we need to
know on every subject, but it does contain "all things pertaining to
life and godliness." Those things that are needed to have true life
and to please God are found within the pages of this holy book. That is
why we cannot allow ourselves, our teachers, our preachers, or our family
members tamper with it.
C. If you are determined to obey God and give Him your allegiance you must
do so according to His revealed will without addition, subtraction or modification.
It is imperative that you continue this study by becoming familiar with
what God wants you to do to become a Christian. If you are a Christian then
you must be willing to let the Word settle the spiritual issues that come
up in your service to Christ.