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Don McClain
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Romans 1:21-25
Authority
Don McClain
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Colossians
3:17
Whatsoever
ye do in word
or deed, do
all in the
name of the
Lord Jesus...
The Comprehensive Nature of
The New Testament Scriptures
Understandable – Eph 3:3-5
Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim
3:16,17
Cannot Be Transgressed – 2
John 9
The totality of information
revealed regarding any act of
righteousness forms the pattern
for that act – 2 Tim 1:13;
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The Inductive Method
Science of
Interpretatio
n
This method is the compilation of all
references to the subject under
consideration, including direct statements,
approved actions, and necessary
implications.
When all the evidence is compiled and
sifted through using the laws of
communication, including contextual
considerations, then the true meaning
and the current application can be arrived
at.
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"Because of our tie to the
_constitutional pattern
approach_ we have grown
farther and farther away from
the intentions of the writers of
the New Testament in our use
of some of those writings...and
farther and farther away from
the legitimate cry of today's
human heart."
(Randy Mayeau,
Nashville 12/88)
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"Over the years our position in
churches of Christ has been that if
we can restore the pattern of New
Testament Christianity there will be
unity among our churches. Our
basis for restoring that pattern has
centered around the three principles
of Hermeneutics - These three
principles of Hermeneutics have led
us into a hard-line, _patternistic
formalism_."
(Bill Swetmon, Nashville 12/88)
Bill Swetmon
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The CENI (Command, Example,
Necessary Inference) hermeneutic,
contrary to the belief of some, did not
fall directly from the throne room of God
into the hands of men. It is no more
"inspired of God" than any other hermeneutic
devised by men to aid in the interpretation of a
written document. Personally, I think it is greatly
flawed. . . . There are several who have suggested
legitimate, and I believe far more valid, approaches
to biblical hermeneutics. Bro. F. LeGard Smith,
in one of his books, presented just such a
hermeneutic. Al Maxey – 5-17-2001 Gospel Preachers List
Al Maxey
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 Rules of a game –
 Establishing Legal
precedent –
 Blue Prints in
Construction –
 Text Books –
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The reader who comes to
terms with an author and
grasps his propositions and
reasoning shares the
author’s mind. In fact, the
whole process of
interpretation is directed
toward a meeting of minds
through the medium of
language. (How To Read A Book; Adler
& Van Doren, Pg 153)
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Science of
Interpretatio
n
– Direct Command or
Statement.
• Must Examine Context
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Don’t think
that if God
had spoken
in nothing
but direct
statements
or
commands
that unity
 Baptism – Mark 16:16; Acts
2:38; 1 Peter 3:21
 There is but one body, one
faith – Ep. 4:4,5
 Women to keep silent in the
church – 1 Cor. 14:34; 1 Tim.
2:11,12
 Fellowship halls (eating and
entertainment halls)? 1 Cor
11:22,34
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Science of
Interpretatio
n
– Direct Command or
Statement.
• Must Examine Context
– Approved Apostolic Example.
• Observation of Approved Activity of
first Century Christians.
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Understanding
Approved
Examples
Essential to
Understanding
and Abiding in
God’s Divine
Will.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of
me, even as I also
am of Christ.
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Understanding
Approved
Examples
Essential to
Understanding
and Abiding in
God’s Divine
Will.
Philippians 3:17 –
17Brethren, join in
following my example,
and note those who so
walk, as you have us for
a pattern.
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Understanding
Approved
Examples
Essential to
Understanding
and Abiding in
God’s Divine
Will.
Philippians 4:9
Those things, which ye
have both learned, and
received, and heard, and
seen in me, do: and the
God of peace shall be
with you.
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Science of
Interpretatio
n
– Direct Command or
Statement.
• Must Examine Context
– Approved Apostolic Example.
• Observation of Approved Activity of
first Century Christians.
– Necessary Implication.
• a logical and unavoidable conclusion
drawn from statements or
propositions.
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 Jesus in reassuring John the
Baptist (Mt. 11:3-5)
 Jesus and the resurrection of the
dead (Mt. 22:31-33; Lk. 20:3740)
 Jesus about the humanity and
deity of the Messiah (Mt. 22:4146)
 Preaching the man involves
preaching the plan (Acts 8:35-36)
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Direct Statement –
The elements of the Lord’s Supper – Jesus
took bread, . . . 27Then He took the cup,
(Luke 22:18 Fruit of the vine)
Example –
When to observe the Lord’s supper - Upon
the first day of the week - Acts 20:7
Implication –
Frequency of observance – Every first day
– “When the disciples came together to
break bread” – Acts 20:7; (Ex 20:10)
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Jesus used
these
principles to
establish His
teachings as
authoritative
on the
subject of
divorce –
Mat. 19:4-6
 Example –
Made them male and female (Gen. 1:27)
 Direct statement –
Man shall leave and cleave &
be one flesh – (Gen. 2:24)
 Implication – God joined
– (cf Mal 2:14)
 Necessary Inference What God has joined together,
let not man separate!” (Mat.
19:6)
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The apostles
used these
principles to
establish the
truth on the
subject of
circumcision
Acts 15:7-19
 James appealed to direct
statements. vs. 14-19
 Paul referenced how God
exemplified His will. v. 12
 Peter argued by the
implications of what God
did. vs. 7-11; (cf. Acts 10,11)
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Science of
Interpretatio
n
– Direct Command or
Statement.
• Must Examine Context
– Approved Apostolic Example.
• Observation of Approved Activity of
first Century Christians.
– Necessary Implication.
• a logical and unavoidable conclusion
drawn from statements or
propositions.
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We must recognize the importance of
establishing Divine authority for ALL we do!!
The Bible – (specifically the NT), is the ONLY
source from whence Divine authority can be
established
By compiling all references to the subject under
consideration and by using the basic laws of
communication, including contextual
considerations, then the true meaning and the
current application can be arrived at.
What is your attitude towards the need toDon McClain
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Heaven
Matthew 7:13,14,21-23
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Don McClain
Authority
Understanding Implication Essential to
Abiding in God’s Divine Will. (The Doctrine of
Christ)
– Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Ex.
20:8
• Implication: every Sabbath
– went up straightway out of the water. Matt. 3:16
• Implication: went down into the water.
– arise.. be baptized and wash away thy sins. Acts
22:16
McClain
• Implication: not yet Don
forgiven
until baptism.
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Authority
Direct
statements
often
contain
unavoidable
conclusions
although not
directly
stated -
I Am the God of Abraham, of Isaac
and Jacob” – (Mat. 22:32)
Implication - The Resurrection
“blind receive sight, lame walk,
gospel preached.” (Mt. 11:1-6)
Implication - Jesus was the
promised Christ –
“Man your sins are forgiven you” –
(Luke 5:20-24)
Before Abraham was “I Am” – (John
8:58)
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Implication
- The Deity of Christ
–
Authority
By What Authority Do You Do These Things
• Making Application:
– Faith in Christ.
•he that believeth. Mark 16:16
•if ye believe not. John 8:24
•many of them... believed. Acts 4:4
•I believe Jesus is... Acts 8:37
Direct Statement
Example
Hebrews 11 & James 2:19 Emphatically implies a
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certain kind of faith in salvation.
Authority
By What Authority Do You Do These Things
• Making Application:
– Repentance.
•except ye repent. Luke 13:3
•All Men everywhere – Acts 17:30
•Simon told to repent. Acts 8:22-24
•The Corinthians - 2 Corinthians 7:9
Direct Statement
Example
Implication that repentance is more than a
change of mind. Brought their books and burned
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them. Acts 19:19
Authority
By What Authority Do You Do These Things
• Making Application:
– Confession of Faith.
•Confess me. Matt. 10:32
Direct Statement
•I believe that Jesus is...
Acts 8:37
Example
John 12:42 Emphatically implies this is more
than speaking to one’s self. Chief rulers
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believed,... but
did not confess.
Authority
By What Authority Do You Do These Things
• Making Application:
– Baptism for the remission of sins.
•he.. is baptized Mark 16:16
•he baptized him... Acts 8:38
Direct Statement
Example
Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3-6; Gal. 3:27; Col.. 2:12
Emphatically implies obedience to gospel in
baptism is when one receives the forgiveness of sin,
and enters into a new
relationship in Christ.30
Don McClain
Authority
By What Authority Do You Do These Things
• Making Application:
– The Mode of Baptism
•Buried with Him through baptism,
(Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12)
•Went down – came up Acts 8:38,39
Direct Statement
Example
Rom. 6:3-6; Col.. 2:12; John 3:23
Emphatically implies that the proper and only
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mode of baptism
is immersion.
The Lord’s Supper
• Direct Statement –
– The elements of the Lord’s Supper –
• Jesus took bread, . . . 27Then He took the cup,
(Luke 22:18 Fruit of the vine)
• Example –
– When to observe the Lord’s supper
• Upon the first day of the week - Acts 20:7
• Implication –
– Frequency of observance –
• Every first day – “When the disciples came together
to break bread” – Acts 20:7; (Ex 20:10)
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