[By Ron Halbrook]
Introduction:
1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority:
we must submit to receive salvation
2
Matt. 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.
3
Introduction:
2. To understand & apply the authority of Christ:
I. Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
4
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
A. The Perfect & Only Savior
Supreme Sacrifice for Sinners
5
Supreme Sacrifice for Sinners
Rom. 5:8-10
8 But God commendeth his love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,
much more, being reconciled,
we shall be saved by his life.
6
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
A. The Perfect & Only Savior
No Other Savior
Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven
given among men,
whereby we must be saved.
7
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
B. Saved in Submission to Him
Men of All Nations Must Submit
8
Men of All Nations Must Submit
Matt. 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.
9
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
C. Head Over His Church in All Things
One Head Over One Body
Eph. 1:22-23
22 And hath put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head over all things
to the church,
23 Which is his body,
the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
10
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
C. Head Over His Church in All Things
Universal Church:
All Saved Individuals in Gospel Age
Eph. 4:4
4 There is one body, and one Spirit,
even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
11
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
C. Head Over His Church in All Things
Local Church:
All Saved Individuals in One Place
Bonded Together to Work & Worship
Acts 9:26
26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem,
he assayed to join himself to the disciples:
but they were all afraid of him,
and believed not that he was a disciple.
12
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
C. Head Over His Church in All Things
Local Church:
All Saved Individuals in One Place
Bonded Together to Work & Worship
Rom. 16:16
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss.
The churches of Christ salute you.
13
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
C. Head Over His Church in All Things
Local Church:
All Saved Individuals in One Place
Bonded Together to Work & Worship
Eph. 4:11
11 And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers;
14
II. Authority of Christ as Savior
C. Head Over His Church in All Things
Will Deliver His Kingdom to Heaven
1 Cor. 15:24
24 Then cometh the end,
when he shall have delivered up
the kingdom to God, even the Father;
when he shall have put down
all rule and all authority and power.
15
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission
Preach the Gospel
1 Tim. 3:15
15 But if I tarry long,
that thou mayest know how
thou oughtest to behave thyself
in the house of God,
which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and ground of the truth.
16
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission
Worship God, Edify Saints
1 Cor. 14:26
26 How is it then, brethren?
when ye come together,
every one of you hath a psalm,
hath a doctrine, hath a tongue,
hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.
Let all things be done unto edifying.
17
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
A. Authority Over Its Work or Mission
Benevolence to Needy Saints
Acts 6:1
1 And in those days,
when the number of the disciples was multiplied,
there arose a murmuring of the Grecians
against the Hebrews,
because their widows were neglected
in the daily ministration.
18
Benevolence to Needy Saints
Acts 11:27-30
27 And in these days came prophets
from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus,
and signified by the Spirit that there should be
great dearth throughout all the world:
which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples,
every man according to his ability,
determined to send relief
unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders
by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
19
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
B. Authority Over Its Worship
1st Day of the Week: Lord’s Supper
Acts 20:7
7 And upon the first day of the week,
when the disciples came together to break bread,
Paul preached unto them,
ready to depart on the morrow;
and continued his speech until midnight.
20
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
B. Authority Over Its Worship
1st Day of the Week: Give
1 Cor. 16:2
2 Upon the first day of the week
let every one of you lay by him in store,
as God hath prospered him,
that there be no gatherings when I come.
21
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
B. Authority Over Its Worship
Pray
Acts 2:42
42 And they continued stedfastly
in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers.
22
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
B. Authority Over Its Worship
Teach God’s Word
Acts 2:42
42 And they continued stedfastly
in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers.
23
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
B. Authority Over Its Worship
Sing
Eph. 5:19
19 Speaking to yourselves
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart
to the Lord;
24
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
C. Authority Over Its Organization
Leadership: Elders (Presbyters),
Pastors (Shepherds),
Bishops (Overseers)
Acts 14:23
23 And when they had ordained them
elders in every church,
and had prayed with fasting,
they commended them to the Lord,
on whom they believed.
25
Leadership: Elders (Presbyters),
Pastors (Shepherds),
Bishops (Overseers)
Acts 20:17, 28
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus,
and called the elders of the church.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which
the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,
to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood.
26
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
C. Authority Over Its Organization
Deacons Serve
Acts 6:2-3
2 Then the twelve called the multitude
of the disciples unto them, and said,
It is not reason that we should leave the word of God,
and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you
seven men of honest report,
full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,
whom we may appoint over this business.
27
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
C. Authority Over Its Organization
Evangelists (Preachers)
& Teachers Instruct
Eph. 4:11
11 And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers;
28
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
C. Authority Over Its Organization
All Saints Participate in Work
& Worship
Phil. 1:1
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ,
to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi,
with the bishops and deacons:
29
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
C. Authority Over Its Organization
Women Not Exercise Lead Over Men
1 Tim. 2:12
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach,
nor to usurp authority over the man,
but to be in silence.
30
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
C. Authority Over Its Organization
Each Local Church Independent,
Autonomous (No “Mother” Church,
No “Satellite” Church)
Acts 14:23
23 And when they had ordained them
elders in every church,
and had prayed with fasting,
they commended them to the Lord,
on whom they believed.
31
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
C. Authority Over Its Organization
No Earthly Headquarters,
No Central or Universal Organization
32
III. Authority of Christ in Local Church
D. All Things We Preach & Practice
Must Be Authorized by the New Testament
Book, chapter, & verse
General or specific terms
Statement, example, or implication
Divine silence forbids, excludes, & prohibits
Speak where the Bible speaks,
be silent where the Bible is silent
Original church of Christ under his authority
33
Invitation:
1. Matt. 28:18-20 Christ proclaimed his authority:
we must submit to receive salvation
34
Matt. 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.
35