BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
BACK TO BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
INTRODUCTION
Churches were invaded with false brethren in the first century. They came in secretly (2Pet.2:1f) and slowly changed attitudes toward truth.
It has been happening in the twentieth century as well. Over the years, the drift toward more liberal ideas and activities has been accepted by new generations who are ready for even more subtle changes. Our young people will have no idea about how to handle these shifts in attitudes and practices unless they believe deeply that every generation must insist on going “back to the Bible for authority”.
I. It Is Hard Enough To Survive The Waves Of Humanistic Thought As It Is, Than To Try It Without A Trustworthy Compass And A Deep Respect Anchored In God’s Word.
A. People are calling for change. They view the Bible as out of date, not relevant for the modern man and his social needs.
1. Yet, God and Jesus are the same as ever. Heb.13:8
2. SIN is still the reason Jesus came and died, and people in the first century did not automatically know and appreciate this either.
3. A great many of the social ills of society can be resolved if people will repent and believe the gospel. Think of AIDS and Syphilis, abortion, drunkenness, drug abuse, homeless children, etc. Repentance is the cure.
4. Humanism is a basic concern for the outward, social creature. Churches have turned away from solid preaching to meet social “needs”. From the spiritual to the carnal and physical.
B. Brethren have dreamed up ways to accommodate the world’s call to the church.
1. The church should make a distinct call to the world to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. The world is calling upon the church to entertain us and give us physical advantages.
3. Today, we are hearing brethren set a variety of ministries before the world such as: “Kindergarten”, “Mother’s Day Out”, “Gymnastics to the Glory of God”, “The Martial Arts Gospel Ministry”, etc. tather then the gospel message.
4. We are seeing churches move from a spiritual emphasis to a more social emphasis. Jesus’ death on the cross for SIN is the bad news for those who want to come use our gym.
II. Changes In Churches Have Created A Need To Fine-Tune The Descriptive Use Of The Terms “Liberal” And “Conservative”.
A. There are many different areas in which a person or church may be either liberal or conservative. The following areas will help us determine the area of thought or practice in which a certain person or church may be found to be liberal or conservative:
1. AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE.
a. The liberal view of the Bible is that it is subject to error (fallible), or insufficient to guide us completely, or that it is an inspiring document but not the authoritatively inspired revelation of God. Notice how loose or liberal this view has to be with such passages as 2 Tim.3:16,17; 2Jno.9; Matt.28:18-20; 2Pet.1:19f
2. APPEAL USED TO DRAW PEOPLE.
a. The liberal view is to view the cross of Christ as an insufficient appeal or incentive in reaching out to the lost and drawing him to God. Entertainment, recreational facilities and events are used to cover the painful gospel “hook” with a more appealing kind of bait. They will get the hook after they come for the bait.
b. This view will often study all kinds of marketing techniques to out-do the “competitors”. It takes a liberal view of such passages as 1 Cor.1-3.
3. WORK OF THE CHURCH.
a. The liberal view of the work of the church is that it should include in its scope of work: secular education, recreation, social services, etc. etc. It takes a liberal view of such passages as 1Tim.3:15; 5:16; Eph.4:12; Acts 6:1-4
4. FINANCING THE WORK.
a. The liberal view is that the church may use rental, car washes, raffles, etc. to raise money for its work. He doesn’t feel a need to limit himself to a particular pattern. 1 Cor.16:1-3; 2Cor.9:7-9. He reasons that the Bible doesn’t say NOT to do these things.
5. UNITY OF ACTION.
a. The liberal view is that churches may team up in area-wide, state-wide, and national projects with “non church” agencies.. He thinks he sees authority for it in the emergency situations described in the New Testament where several churches sent aid to a church in physical need. Therefore, churches can dream up a “need” of any kind and appeal to brethren and outsiders alike,everywhere for financial support. He takes a liberal view of the local church as God’s independent unit of action. Phil.4:14-18; Acts 20:28; 1Pet.5:1f
6. MORAL PURITY.
a. The liberal view allows for immoral behavior to go unmarked, unreproved, and tolerated under an umbrella of grace and love. It takes a liberal view of such things as adulterous marriages, eventually homosexuality, etc. They deal very loosely with such passages as 1 Cor.5; 2 Thess.3; Tit.3:10-11; Rom.16:17f; Matt.5:32; 19:9; etc.
III. We Must Get Back To The Bible For Authority Or Admit There Is No Authority Higher Than Human Desire.
A. There is a religion to support every human desire. When everyone does what is right in his own eyes and believes that God accepts that, then SIN is pure imagination, and Jesus came and died in vain.
B. He died because man was “wrong” about something and we had better not deceive ourselves into thinking we are right.1 Jno.1:7-9 B.
C. The gospel we preach must be distinguishable from the many fads and fashions of modern gimmickry. It must be the same pattern of sound words employed by the early Christians or it is not the same gospel. Gal.1:6-10
SOME QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. Is there a better source of authority than the Bible?
2. Is the Bible out-dated and irrelevant today?
3. If the world is dark in its understanding of the purpose of life, how can the Bible help us?
4. If Jesus is the light of the world, where can we find out about Jesus?
5. Do you think we need to be more precise in describing the area or areas in which a person is liberal or conservative?
6. If a person is described as “conservative” in certain areas, does this mean he is right with God in every area of his life?
7. Can we be pleasing to God if we participate with others in an activity we are not convinced is right?
8. Do you think it is important how a person looks at Bible authority and how he applies it?
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