Learning Bible Authority
The Bible has the answers

Why Do We Need To Discuss Authority?
Most people do not fear God and keep His commandments.
Many teachers are willing to accommodate the people’s desires.
Much error is taught on this subject.
Continued error allows people to accept it as truth.
Souls will be lost because of error.
People who teach and practice error are out of fellowship with God.
1 John 2: 3-4 “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, ‘I have come to know him’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;”
They will be rejected by Jesus.
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord’, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’.”

Souls will be lost by believing error.
To save souls from hell is one of the Christians highest duties.
Thus we MUST speak when error is taught.
Truth Belongs to God.
God gave it to us in His Bible.
Thus we must preach the truth.
And we must practice it.
Truth is derived from God’s authority exercised through His words.

God’s Authority
God is Sovereign (not subject to anyone)
But all are subject and accountable to Him.
God has revealed His will.
Via the Patriarchs (Fathers)
Via the Law (Moses)
Via the Prophets
Finally through the Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).
The Son has been given authority over all.

Jesus’ Authority
ALL authority which God gave Him Matthew 28:18.
His words will judge us John 12:48.
Jesus spoke with authority Matthew 7:29.
Jesus delegated this authority to His apostles who were also guided by the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit Authority
Limited to the instruction from God and Jesus. (John 16:13)
Guided the apostles and early church into maturity. (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Revealed the word of God to all mankind via the Bible.
The Bible is our ultimate and final authority on all matters dealing with spirituality, salvation, truth, and religion.

Bible Authority
Learn it Carefully (Deuteronomy 5:1)
Do not add, do not subtract. (Deuteronomy 4:2)
Let the Bible have the final say in a matter.
Read ALL that the Bible has to say on a matter.
Any understanding must agree with each other passage dealing with such subject.
There are no contradictions.

How To Determine False Doctrine
Some passages related to the topic must be ignored, distorted, twisted and added to in order to uphold a false doctrine.
A new (different from the Bible, not found in the scripture) vocabulary of words, terms, and definitions must be learned.
Assumptions are frequent and treated as if they were scripture.
Human reasoning and conclusions replace the Word of God.
Man becomes the final authority and not God.
And this final authority keeps changing to please people.
Man-made laws and solutions replace the Word of God.
A false doctrine just does not fit with the other passages on the same subject. If one scripture bumps against other scriptures, like gears in a gear box that do not mesh with one another thus grinding, distorting, and breaking one another, something is wrong. All that God says on any topic will mesh and fit perfectly together.

What Is Truthful Doctrine
It must come from a true source.
It must rest upon a true source.
It must support a true source.
It must not have any flaws.
It must not have any contradictions.
It must not be bound by time.
For it to benefit anyone, it must be accepted.
It must be respected.
It must not contradict any scripture.
It must not contradict any laws of God.
It must not lead anyone into error.

Conclusion
Any teaching that is not truth is error.
Truth comes from the true Authority (God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Bible)
False Doctrine becomes obvious.
Truthful Doctrine is how we should live.
Following a “thus saith the Lord” is necessary to please God.
Following book, chapter, verse (BCV) as our authority is right.

By Carey Scott

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