The Bible is our standard of authority
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Deuteronomy 29:29
Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever,
that we may do all the words of this law.
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God does not reveal all there is for us to know about himself.
He only tells what we need to know to be obedient to his law.
This verse from the old testament shows the nature of God.
He requires us to be obedient to him since the day he created mankind.
Deuteronomy 4:2
Deuteronomy 4:2
You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments
of the Lord your God which I command you.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
God requires that we do not change his law in any way, neither adding to it or ignoring any of it.
This verse from the old testament shows the nature of God.
He requires us to be obedient to him since the day he created mankind.
Numbers 22:18
Numbers 22:18
Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak,“Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold,
I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Balak son of Zippor who was king of Moab asked Balaam to have God put a curse on the
Israelites so he could defeat them (Numbers 22: 1- 18). Even though the king asked
him to do this, Balaam understood that when God said no, he requires that we do not
change his law in any way, neither adding to it or ignoring any of it.
This verse from the old testament shows the nature of God.
He requires us to be obedient to him since the day he created mankind.
Numbers 24:13
Numbers 24:13
If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord,
to do good or bad of my own will. What the Lord says, that I must speak?
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Balak son of Zippor who was king of Moab asked Balaam a second time to have God
put a curse on the Israelites so he could defeat them (Numbers 24: 10-13).
Even though the king asked him to do this, Balaam understood that when God said no,
he requires that we do not change his law in any way, neither adding to it or ignoring
any of it. This verse from the old testament shows the nature of God.
He requires us to be obedient to him since the day he created mankind.
Proverbs 30:6
Proverbs 30:6
Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
God requires that we do not change his law in any way, neither adding to it or ignoring any of it.
He required this in the old testament as well as references made in the new testament concerning his new law.
This verse in Proverbs tells us if we do we will be found a liar.
Revelation 21:8
Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars
shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
According to Proverbs 30:6, if we add to his words we will be found a liar. This verse in Revelation states that all liars
shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
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Matthew 4:4
Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Jesus was tempted by Satan to violate the law of God by yielding to Satan's request (Matthew 4:1-4).
His answer was that man shall live by the unchangeable word of God.
God requires that we do not change his law in any way; either by adding to it or ignoring any of it.
1 Corinthians 4:6
1 Corinthians 4:6
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes,
that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written,
that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Paul wanted the Corinthians to learn from the example of himself and Apollos being obedient to the law of God.
They should not think about going beyond what is written. That is, for them not change God's law in any way;
either by adding to it or ignoring any of it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
The scriptures given to us by God are all we need to be complete and thoroughly equipped without adding to or ignoring any of his laws.
2 Peter 1:3
2 Peter 1:3
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
God has given to us everything we need to know about life and godliness.
The knowledge of God is knowing what his will is for us as found in the New Testament.
He expects us to be obedient to his will and not to change it in any way.
1 Peter 4:11
1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies,
that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
If we speak we need to speak those things that God has taught us.
God expects us to speak, preach and teach only that which he approves of; that which is found in the New Testament.
God expects us to be obedient to his will and not to change it in any way.
2 John 9-11
2 John 9-11
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.
He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;
11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Abiding in the doctrine of Christ is abiding by that which is found in the New Testament.
He expects us to be obedient to the will of God and not to change it in any way.
He also tells us that we should not listen to anyone who is teaching something
not found in the New Testament; that which is not the word of God.
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Galatians 1:8-9
Galatians 1:8-9
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
This is a total emphasis that we are to teach and preach only that which is found in the New Testament and we are not to change it in any way.
Revelation 22:18-19
Revelation 22:18-19
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things,
God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part
from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
This is the final warning that we must not change his law in any way, neither adding to it or ignoring any of it.
He requires us to be obedient to him since the day he created mankind.
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We must study the standard
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2 Timothy 2:15
2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
We must study the truth of God as revealed in the New Testament which is the standard of authority.
Acts 17:11
Acts 17:11
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness,
and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Those in Thessalonica were diligent to study the scriptures.
They were concerned that they understood what God wanted them to know about his law.
Ephesians 3:1-5
Ephesians 3:1-5
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets::
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
A mystery is that which is unknown at a specific time.
Because the mystery was made known to Paul by revelation, it was a revelation from God.
God requires that we do not change his law in any way, neither adding to it or ignoring any of it.
That mystery was the beginning of the New Testament and was made known to and written by Paul.
Paul was telling them, and us, that we must understand and follow what has been written because it was the law of God.
Hebrews 5:12-14
Hebrews 5:12-14
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles
of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their
senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
We must study to be teachers and discern both good and evil.
There is no place to obtain this information than the word of God written in the New Testament with the Old Testament
as a guide to understanding the New Testament. This also implies that we must become skilled in the word of God
without adding to it or ignoring any part of it.
Matthew 22:29
Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
If we do not know the Scriptures we do not know the power of God revealed in those Scriptures.
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Under the new covenant, the standard is the New Testament.
We must follow this standard closely neither adding to it or ignoring any of it.
Must we do anything to be saved?
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Hebrews 5:8-9
Hebrews 5:8-9
8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
When Christ became human, having laid aside His divine attributes,
He experienced for the first time what it was like to live with human nature — in this “sinful flesh”.
He had to learn in the flesh how to overcome sin and stay obedient to God; how to fight victoriously
against the temptations of the flesh; and how to stay obedient in suffering,
“to the point of death, even the death of the cross”.
As he did, we must do also.
Revelation 22:14
Revelation 22:14
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Jesus said that if we love Him, then we will keep His commandments (John 14:15).
When we neglect to keep His commandments, we demonstrate our lack of love for Him.
Keeping his commandments means we must following that which is written in the new
testament; not add to or ignore that which in written
Matthew 7:21-23
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
If we do things that are not written in the new testament but add to or ignore that which is written, Christ never new us.
Luke 6:46-49
Luke 6:46-49
46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.
And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it,
for it was founded on the rock.
49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation,
against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Jesus tells us he expects us to follow the things he says. If we do we will be as founded on a rock and obedient to him.
If not we will not acceptable to him.
Romans 2:5-8
Romans 2:5-8
5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself
wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:
7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
We will obtain eternal life if we seek glory, honor and immortality by patient continuance in doing good.
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2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus
is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God,
and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
We will obtain eternal life if we obey the gospel. Jesus is very definite about this.
If we do not obey the gospel he will take vengeance on us and we will lose eternity.
Acts 2:40-42
Acts 2:40-42
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Peter tells us that we will be saved if we follow the teachings defined in the new testament.
This what the people listening to Peter did and were added to the church that Jesus built.
Romans 6:16-18
Romans 6:16-18
16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey,
whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Before we are obedient to Jesus teaching we are slaves to sin. After we are obedient we are set free from sin and are slaves to righteousness.
1 Peter 1:22-23
1 Peter 1:22-23
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
--------------- ANALYSIS ---------------
Having obeyed the truth, being born again through the word of God, we have our souls purified.
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3. Confess Christ
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Matthew 10:32
Matthew 10:32
Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Acts 8:36-38
Acts 8:36-38
36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
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4. Be Baptized
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Mark 16:16
Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:48
Acts 10:48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 22:16
Acts 22:16
And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
1 Peter 3:20-21
1 Peter 3:20-21
20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared,
in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
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> Where we have remission of sins
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Colossians 1:13-14
Colossians 1:13-14
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Ephesians 1:3 and 7
Ephesians 1:3 and 7
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
2 Timothy 2:10
2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
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5. Those in Christ must be faithful
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2 Peter 2:20-22
2 Peter 2:20-22
20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it,
to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,”
and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
2 Peter 1:4-11
2 Peter 1:4-11
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises,
that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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It is now our privilege and obligation to do the following
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When?
Acts 20:7
Acts 20:7
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day,
spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
Why?
I Corinthians 11:23-29
I Corinthians 11:23-29
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken[b] for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
How often?
Acts 20:7
Acts 20:7
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,
Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
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Ephesians 5:19
Ephesians 5:19
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Colossians 3:16
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms
br
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:15
1 Corinthians 14:15
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.
I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
Hebrews 13:15
Hebrews 13:15
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Why do we not use the instruments?
Because they are NOT mentioned in the teaching of Christ,
and if we do something not in the teaching of Christ we do not have God.
2 John 9:11
2 John 9:11
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
If we go beyond or to the old law to justify their use, we fall from grace.
Galatians 5:4
Galatians 5:4
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
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The New Testament identifies the church on earth by several different
names,
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Ephesians 1:22-23
Ephesians 1:22-23
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Colossians 1:18-24
Colossians 1:18-24
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—
23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,
which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
How many bodies? One
Ephesians 4:4
Ephesians 4:4
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
1 Corinthians 12:20
1 Corinthians 12:20
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
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