SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR ALL THAT WE DO

Introduction:
  I. One Sunday afternoon, while visiting an older couple, 
     a member of the family said, "I could never be a member 
     of the church of Christ because I like the piano too 
     much."  My answer was "It doesn't make any difference 
     what we want, it is a question of what God has authorized."  
     Another member of the family replied, "that there was just 
     as much authority for that 'swimming pool' in the back of 
     your building as there is for a piano."
 II. In a conversation with a man, Bill Hall challenged him with 
     this statement, "You ought to be able to turn in the word of 
     God, and establish scriptural authority for everything you 
     teach and practice in religion.
III. The conversation than centered on church buildings - "How 
     would you establish scriptural authority for a church 
     building?"  "And what is the difference in church buildings 
     and many of the things which you claim are authorized.
 IV. In answering these questions, we need to consider five 
     basic principles related to the question of authority.

BODY:
  I. All we do must have Christ's authority behind it. (In the year 
     2000, during a TV report on the Southern Baptist Convention's 
     decision had women could not be pastors, one Baptist Pastor 
     commented: "We don't feel the need to be constrained by the 
     Scriptures." 
     A. Mt. 28:18; 17:5.
     B. Col. 3:17; II Tim. 3:16-17; II Jn. 9; Jn. 14:15; 15:14.
     C. Christ is:
        1. Head of the church.
        2. King.
        3. Lord.

 II. Christ's authority is established either by a direct command, 
     an approved example, or an inescapable conclusion.
     A.	Examples from the Lord's Supper.
        1. That we are to partake in remembrance of Christ - Direct 
           command - I Cor. 11:24.
        2. The time of observance - Example - Acts 20:7.
        3. That the bread used in its institution was unleavened 
           bread - Inescapable conclusion. (Instituted during 
           Passover when no leaven could be used or even in the house.)
     B. Should we:
        1. Baptize? Direct Command, Approved example. Acts 2:38; 
           8:12, 36-38.
        2. Plurality of elders?  Approved example. Acts 14:23
        3. Wear the name Christian?  Approved example; Direct 
           command. Acts 11:26; I Pt. 4:16.

III. When God has not spoken concerning the details involved in His 
     commands, the details are left to human judgment.
     A. All such details are inherent in the command, and their 
        authority consequently is found within the command.
     B.	Examples:
           Command				God has not spoken
        1. Build an ark (Gen. 6:14).		Tools.
        2. Bread and Fruit of vine (I Cor.    Containers, tables.
              11:23-25.
        3. Go to all the world (Mk.		Means of transportation.
              16:15).
        4. Sing (Col. 3:16).	         Specific song; pitch.
        5. Assemble (Acts 20:7).		Time; Place of assembly.
        6. Baptize (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38)	Place of baptism.
     C.	All such may be referred to as aids - they are needful to the 
        expedient execution of the Lord's commands.

 IV. An aid is authorized only if the activity being aided is authorized.
     A. People will ask, "if we can have a building without specifically 
        stated authority, why can't we have a kitchen and dining area 
        and play room.
     B. Or, "If we can have song books and benches to sit on without 
        specifically stated authority, why can't we have a piano?"
     C. Or, "if we can have a 'swimming pool' without specifically stated 
        authority, why can't we have a piano?"
     D.	The answer is to be found in this principle.
        Examples:
             Command		       Aid
      Build an ark (Gen. 6:14).     Tools (authorized because the 
                                          activity being aided is authorized).
      Bread, fruit of vine (I Cor.  Table, plate, cups.
          11:23-25).
("If we can have plates and glasses without specifically stated authority, 
why can't we have bowls for ice cream?")
     Ice cream (?)			Bowls and spoons.
     Worship (Acts 20:7).		Building suitable.
     Teach the word (Acts 2:42).	Class rooms.
     Assemble to eat (?).		Kitchen and dining area.
     Assemble to play (?).		Play room or Gym.
     Sing (Col. 3:16).               Song books, leader.
     Play inst. Music (?).		Piano.

  V. When God has spoken concerning the details, we must not add to what 
     He has said or substitute our ways for His.
     A. John. 14:15; 15:14; II John. 9.
     B. Examples:

This outline is based on an outline that I heard Bill Hall preach in Chattanooga,
TN.

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