Applying Biblical Authority, #4

APPLYING BIBLICAL AUTHORITY, #4

1 Corinthians 4:1-6

     Introduction: Our attitude toward the authority of the Bible will determine our actions in obedience to the will of God in the areas of salvation, worship, holy living, and carrying out the work of the Lord in our day!  Today, we shall examine a fourth way the Bible authorizes us to think and act: through examples.

I.   Two Extremes To Avoid

A. No example is binding on us today.  "We must have a direct statement (command) from God."

B.  Examples are the only authority binding on us.  "Where in the Bible did Christians build meeting-houses?  Where in the Bible did churches have Bible classes divided by age groups?  Where in the Bible did preachers stay in one location for a long period of time?" etc.

II.   What Is An Example?

A. A pattern that teaches a lesson.

B. There are two kinds of lessons to be learned:

1. Some are negative, i.e., not to be followed (1 Corinthians 10:6,11; Jude 7; Hebrews 4:11; 2 Peter 2:6).

2. Some are positive, i.e., they are to be imitated (1 Timothy 4:12; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6,7; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9; Titus 2:6,7; 1 Peter 5:3; 1 Peter 2:21; James 5:10; John 13:15).

III. Different Kinds of Examples

A. Actions that were proper when first practiced, but improper now (Acts 2-9 - preaching only to Jews).

B. Actions mandatory in the NT, but temporary (1 Corinthians 12, 14 - instructions concerning the use and abuse of spiritual gifts).

C. Actions that were optional then, but may be properly practiced today (Acts 2:44,45; 4:36,37 - the early Christians having all things in common).

D. Actions that were mandatory then, and must be practiced today (Acts 8:36-39- baptism).

     Conclusion: In our next lesson, we shall examine the application of the authority of examples to some of the pressing questions of our time.