Authority

Lesson

Declared By The Father Matt 17:1-5 cf 2 Pet 1:16-18
- Note: The Christian does not live under the old (Mosaic) covenant, but he lives by the new covenant. Principles from the old covenant are still binding (e.g. faith Gen 15:6; Hab 2:4; Rm 1:17) but the laws relating only to the Jews are not cf Jer 31:31-34 (Heb 8:6-13; 9:15-17); Gal 3:23-26; 4:21-5:1; et al.
Declared By The Son Matt 28:18; Jn 5:19-29; 12:44-50; 14:6; 17: 1-2; Lk 6:46
Declared By The Holy Spirit
- In The Old Testament Dt 18:15, cf Acts 3:17-26
- In The New Testament Eph 1:22; Heb 1:1-2; 2:1-4; 5: 9

Given By Jesus Christ Matt 16:19; 28:16-20; Mk 16:14-20; Lk 24:44-49; Acts 1:1-8; Jn 17:6-8, 16-18
Guided By The Holy Spirit
- The promise Jn 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:12-16 (cf 17:6-21; Mk 13:9-11)
- The practice 1 Cor 2:1-13; Gal. 1:11-12; Eph 2:20; 3:3-5; .1 Thess 2: 1-3; 2 Pet 1:3-4, 19-21; Rev 1:1-2

It Is All Sufficient Jn 8:31; 12:44-50; 17:17; 20:30-31; Rm 16:25-26; 2 Cor 1:13; Eph 3:3-4; 2 Tim 2:15; 3:15-17; 1 Jn 5:13; Ps 19: 7-11; 119:97-104, 130
It Alone Is To Be Followed Acts 17:11; 1 Cor 4:6; 14:37; Gal 1:6-9; 1 Jn 4:1-6; 2 Jn 9-11; Rev 22:18-19; Prov 30:5-6; Dt 4:2; 12:32; Ps 119:104; 128; Rm 16:17

What to use for authority
- The words of Jesus, his apostles and prophets alone Eph 2:17-20
- The words found only in God’s word 2 Tim 3:15-17; 2 Jn 9-11
What not to use for authority
- My will Jer 16:12; Jas 4:15; Matt 26:39
- My wisdom Jer 10:23; Prov 3:5; 23-26
- My heart Jer 13:10; 17:9; Acts 10:1-2, 22 cf 11:14; 17:22-23; Rm 10:2; 1 Cor 12:2 (feelings, sincerity, etc.)
- Whatever seems right Dt 12:8; Jud 17:6; Prov 16:25
- Man’s doctrines Jer 10:2-3; Mk 7:6-9; Acts 5:29; Rm 16:17; Col 2:8, 22; 2 Tim 4:3-4
- The majority Matt 7:13-14; 22:14
- Any “faith" Matt 7:21-23; Eph 4:5

Matthew 17:1-5 Who does God tell me to listen to?
Matthew 28:18 Does Jesus have authority over me?
John 12:48 Whose words will judge me on the last day?
Acts 3:17-23 Must I listen to everything Jesus says?
- Compare Deuteronomy 18:15; Luke 6:46
Matthew 28:16-20 To whom did Jesus give authority?
- Compare Mark 16:14-20; John 17:6-8, 16-18; Acts 1:8
John 14:25-26 Why can I trust the words of the Apostles as much as the words of Jesus?
- Compare John 16:12-15; 2 Peter 1:19-21

John 12:48 Where do I find the words of Jesus?
2 Timothy 3:15-17 Do I need anything more than the Bible to teach me how to please God?
- Compare John 20:30-31; 2 Timothy 2:15
2 Corinthians 1:13 Can I understand the Bible by studying it?
- Compare Ephesians 3:4; Psalms 119:97-104, 130
1 John 5:13 Can I know that I am saved by following the Bible alone?
Revelation 22:18-19 Can I add or take away from the Bible?
- Compare 1 Corinthians 4:6; Proverbs 30:5-6
Acts 17:11 Should I use the Bible alone to test the teachings I receive?
- Compare 1 John 4:1-6
2 John 9-11 Can I fellowship those who teach error?
- Compare Romans 16:17; Galatians 1:6-9