Following Jesus without Denominationalism
Part 5: “Determining Our Standard of Authority”
Now that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s can be put behind us, maybe we can start putting more emphasis on those things we should be working on through out the year . . . starting with the concepts in the remaining part of this series . . .
As I dealt with in previous messages, following JESUS without denominationalism begins by heeding the call of the gospel . . .
FIRST OFF . . . knowing the LORD “calls” us through HIS gospel . . .
2nd Thessalonians 2: 14:
“Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
SECOND . . . as we respond to the call, the LORD HIMSELF adds us to HIS church (HIS ‘called out’ group of people). And this church is NOT a man – made denomination.
Acts 2: 41 & 47:
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
47 – “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Now I also suggested that if we are to be simply Christians, members of the LORD’S church as we read about in the New Testament, then we must follow the example of the early church who “continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,” . . .
Acts 2: 42:
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
I want you all to know that the importance to all of this relates very closely to the subject of “Authority in Religion” . . .
It is impossible to maintain unity unless we can agree upon a ‘standard’ of authority. Funny thing is . . .
THIS IS TRUE IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE!!!
Consider this . . . imagine the confusion if we did not have a standard of authority relating to weights and measures.
We would never be able to agree on the length of a line . . . the volume of a tank of gasoline . . . and so forth.
Confusion would reign supreme in the market place if we did not agree on one standard of authority in regards to weights and measures.
THE ESSENTIAL KEY TO HAVING UNITY ON ANY SUBJECT IS THIS . . .
WE MUST ACCEPT AND SUBMIT TO THE SAME STANDARD OF AUTHORITY!!!!
This becomes so especially true when it comes to matters of religion, for is people can agree on the standard of authority in religious matters, unity is possible when we submit to that same standard.
There are other elements necessary to have unity (which I will go over later) . . . but without a standard of authority upon which we all agree . . .
UNITY IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!
Reverend Sam . . . what should be the standard of authority for CHRIST’S church then?
That is a GREAT place to start, and I am sure those people that are professing to be true Christians would agree . . .
(1) Jesus Christ has been given all authority . . .
The Bible demonstrates this in two specific areas so that we might understand . . .
FIRST – Jesus claimed all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to HIM . . .
Matthew 28: 18:
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
As a result, JESUS therefore expects us to observe all things HE has commanded . . .
Matthew 28: 19 – 20:
“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.”
SECOND – Jesus apostles taught this as well . . .
The Apostles taught us that JESUS is the HEAD of the BODY, aka: the church . . .
Ephesians 1: 22 – 23:
“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.”
As a result, we are to submit to HIM in everything . . .
Ephesians 5: 23 – 24:
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”
Take a moment to consider . . . if JESUS were on earth today, we could solve ALL religious questions by simply asking HIM. But since HE is not on earth . . . what then?
And this leads me on to the next point . . .
(2) Jesus has delegated authority to His apostles . . .
A really good point brought to me by a fellow Preacher is that to receive CHRIST’S teachings, we must also receive HIS apostles teachings . . .
Within this point, he showed me John 13: 20, where JESUS taught this:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.”
Now please keep in mind that the word ‘apostle’ actually means ‘one sent’ . . . so with that thought in mind, we see where JESUS speaks of whomsoever I send . . .as HE has a particular reference to HIS apostles.
The apostles were sent as ‘ambassadors’ for CHRIST . . .
2nd Corinthians 5: 20:
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
This is where we see the early church ‘continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine’ . . .
Acts 2: 42:
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
In some ways, you could say that JESUS, to ensure reliability, HE promised the HOLY SPIRIT . . .
What do you mean, Reverend Sam?
Think of it this way . . . the SPIRIT would teach the apostles all things, reminding them of what JESUS spoke to them . . .
John 14: 26:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
And in that same respect, the SPIRIT would guide the apostles into ALL truth . . .
John 16: 12 – 13:
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
How did the Spirit guide them to that ‘all’ truth you refer to?
I base that on what Paul said in Acts 20: 27:
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”
Peter got into the act when he wrote that GOD hath “given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness . . .”
(2nd Peter 1: 3)
So . . . now we understand that the apostles were given ALL the truth of GOD and CHRIST, which GOD wanted us to know.
You know . . . if the apostles were on earth today . . .
WE WOULD SIMPLY ASK THEM TO SETTLE THE RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES!!!
But here again . . . they are not here . . . so what then?
(3) In the New Testament, the apostles have written what Christ wants us to know . . .
Through-out the New Testament, we have what the apostles were given by the Spirit, as Paul explained in Ephesians 3: 1 – 5:
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you–ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;”
Paul wrote, so that when we read his writings we can have his same understanding.
Peter wrote his epistles that we might always be reminded . . .
2nd Peter 1: 12 – 15:
“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”
3: 1 – 2:
“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:”
Not only do Paul and Peter teach us the things GOD wants us to know . . . within the New Testament, we have the commands of the LORD HIMSELF!!!
Paul made this clear in 1st Corinthians 14: 37:
“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”
Peter even confirmed such writings, as Paul’s were considered Scripture . . .
2nd Peter 3: 15 – 16:
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”
With that in mind . . . when we have questions about what the LORD would have us do, we don’t have to ascend to heaven for an answer . . . we don’t have to ask JESUS personally . . . nor HIS apostles personally. . .
All we have to do is simply turn to the New Testament and read the apostles writing . . . in other words . . .
READ AND STUDY OUR BIBLES!!!
I want all of you to understand that in the New Testament, the repository (somebody with or something such as a book that contains, extensive detailed knowledge of something) of the apostles’ doctrine is where we can turn to learn the will of JESUS, given through HIS selected and inspired ambassadors . . . the apostles.
Reverend Sam; with all this in my mind . . . it kind of raises yet another question. Would the New Testament still be a complete guide for us today?
Is it really sufficient?
This is indeed a good question of concern, despite what some people may say. As we all know, there are many atheist out there that would do anything and everything to discredit the Word of GOD in whatever fashion they can get hold of.
So allow me to answer that with an added point . . .
(4) The New Testament is a COMPLETE and ALL sufficient guide . . .
Some people might think the question as foolish, but I don’t. A new Christian needs to know that the New Testament MUST be complete . . . for ‘the faith’ has been revealed ‘once for all’ . . .
Let’s look at Jude 3:
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
I use this Scripture to show all of you that ‘once for all’ literally means “one time for all time” . . .
In reality . . . we really can’t expect any further revelation in the future on this, for the writings of the apostles as collected in the New Testament is all we have.
Now our task is NOT to look for further revelation, but to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Keep in mind now that according to the apostles themselves, these writings (Scriptures) are definitely indeed sufficient!!!
Reverend Sam . . . would you mind giving examples of how you mean sufficient?
Ok . . . think of it this way . . .
They are sufficient to make one complete, furnished unto every good work . . .
2nd Timothy 3: 16 – 17:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
They also provide all we need to enjoy life and godliness . . .
2nd Peter 1: 3:
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
Also . . . by heeding to the writing of the apostles we will have the true knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST . . .
2nd Peter 1: 8 – 9:
“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”
And one important part is that an abundant entrance will be supplied into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST . . .
2nd Peter 1: 10 – 11:
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
The best part of it all is that we are left with GOD’S providence and HIS Word.
As Paul prepared the elders of the church at Ephesus for his departure, he commended them to GOD and the word of HIS grace . . .
Acts 20: 32:
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
He did not instruct them to appoint apostles to take his place, just as he did not instruct them to seek further revelation, for Paul had already proclaimed “the counsel of God” to them as we see in:
Acts 20: 27:
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”
Paul simply directed them to two things:
ONE – To GOD HIMSELF and HIS divine providence . . .
TWO – The word of HIS grace . . . that word which had been revealed by Paul as well.
These two blessings, Paul was confident, were able to do two things:
ONE - Build them up . . .
TWO – Give them an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
I will close with these final thoughts . . .
The New Testament . . . then . . . is how . . .
CHRIST speaks to us today, and leads us to life everlasting.
It is through the writing of the apostles, the ‘apostles’ doctrine’ that the LORD speaks and directs HIS church, for it is this doctrine that the standard of authority in the matters of religion is set.
It is this same doctrine, in which we MUST be ‘continued stedfastly’ . . . (Acts 2: 42)
There is more to be said about ‘authority in religion’, and I promise I will cover this in the next message . . .
But as for now, I hope that our attitude is such that what was said about the Thessalonians can also be said about us . . .
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
(1st Thessalonians 2: 13)
My final thought is a question to each and every one of you . . .
IS THIS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ‘APOSTLES DOCTRINE’???
I love you!
Reverend Sam
