Category: Authority

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The text reveals that God furnishes us with all needed instruction through the Scriptures.

Some have objected that the context indicates Paul was referring to the Old Testament scriptures, in that the New Testament had not yet been compiled.

This observation is true, to a point. As such, it indicates that Paul recognized the Old Testament to be of import in knowing the will of God. While we are not bound to the Old Covenant under Christ, the Old Testament scriptures do instruct and furnish us, (cf. Romans 15:4).
But, we must recognize that what Paul said of the Old Testament is true of the New Testament as well. In fact, for a man to be thoroughly furnished, he must heed all the scriptures.

The New Testament writings are scripture too, (2 Peter 1:16-21), and when we consider God’s instructions, we must not ignore what was spoken by our Lord (cf. Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:1-4).

The aim of the Restoration Movement was the attaining of truth. Those who know and apply the truth are able to be Christians identical to those in the New Testament. Truth is knowable, and the restoration of the Lord’s church is immanently attainable.

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“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

Here in the Colossian epistle, Paul gives several exhortations which are rather closely tied together. Simply, they are:

1. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom.
2. Teach each other by singing spiritual songs with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
3. Do all things by the authority of Jesus Christ.

Underlying each of these is an emphasis on the importance of doctrine in the life of those who name the name of Christ. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Continue reading “The Word of Christ” →

God has standards, or measurements that He demands we follow as we seek to please Him in our service. If we submit to His standards, rather than seeking to establish our own, we will secure for ourselves standing with Him.

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In 1 Chronicles 28, King David called all of the leaders of Israel, (captains, stewards and men of valor), to himself, and explained to them that Solomon had been chosen by God to follow him on his throne, and to build the temple. He told them that God had promised to establish Solomon’s kingdom “forever”, “if he is steadfast to observe My judgments and My commandments, as it is this day” (vs. 7).

In verses 8-10, he first addressed the leaders of Israel, and then Solomon, enjoining them to seek God and His will. Notice the passage:

Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9 As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.

The phrase “be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God” is especially instructive to us.

Continue reading “Seeking the Lord” →

AOTS Number 65

The Word of God can be a beacon to us, directing us to safety. However, just as a Captain must submit to and heed the directions from the lighthouse, we must humble ourselves before God’s word.

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AOTS Number 64

God’s will, expressed through scripture, is just as relevant and authoritative today as it was 2000 years ago. As such, we must not alter it, rather we must heed and obey it.

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Podcast Number 56

Denominationalists have long called for union and tolerance of doctrine error, and vain religious practices. The common claim is that as long as one is sincere, he is accepted by God. This is not true. There is a litmus test for acceptance by God, abiding in truth!

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AOTS Number 55

Why are Jesus’ Words in Red? That is a good question. But, the more important question is, “Do we only have to obey the red words, or all of them?

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The story is told of a daughter who asked her mother why she always cut the end of the roast off before cooking it in the pan. The mother didn’t know, that was the way her mother always did it. So, they called the grandmother, and asked her why she always cut the end of the roast off before cooking it in the pan. The grandmother said, “Because my pan was too small!”

There are two great dangers with tradition. (Though there is nothing wrong with tradition per se). First, if a person follows tradition blindly, without knowing why, he may be led to do something that is unscriptural. Something with which God is not pleased. Just because “that is the way we have always done it,” does not mean that it is acceptable to God!

Second, there is always the danger of elevating a tradition to a commandment. Jesus warned of this in Matthew 15, “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrine the commandments of men” (vs. 9).

Many times we do things the way we do because it is a good way to do them. This is fine. But, we need always to be sure that our ways are God’s ways. And, we need to realize if our traditions are only our preferences, and if there are other, scriptural ways of doing the same things, we must not condemn others for expressing preferences that differ from our own.

AOTS Number 42

Our authority in religious matters is the Lord Jesus Christ. To disregard his standards is criminal.

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The Rebellion of Korah in Numbers 16 shows that God vindicated the integrity of Moses, and that integrity as it is defined in scripture, is closely tied to a respect for God’s authority.

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Podcast Number 37

The Catholic church contends that it, as an institution, is the final arbiter and authority for all matters pertaining to the spiritual welfare and condition of man. A careful reading of the scriptures shows this claim to be invalid. God intended His word to be the final standard man must submit to religiously.

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Podcast Number 30

An examination of the Bible text reveals how different the Lord’s church is from the denominations today. If a congregation of Christians follows the pattern of the New Testament, then and only then it can be known as the true church of Christ.

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We commonly use the phrase “A to Z” to identify the sum total of any particular thing. If a person is knowledgeable on a subject, we say he knows it from “A to Z.” If a person is accomplished in a particular area, we say that he has done it all, from “A to Z.”

In the Bible, similar phrases are used.

Continue reading “Alpha & Omega” →