Introduction:

A. We learned in lesson one that the New Testament is the law that governs all men today in spiritual matters.

1. Jesus has all authority (Matthew 28:18 and Matthew 17:5).
2. The New Testament is the words of Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2).
3. We must have the authority of Christ BEFORE we seek to do things (Colossians 3:17 and I Peter 4:11).

B. Now, we must learn how we can discern [identify] what we must do, as it is man’s duty to obey the Lord:

1. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
2. Matthew 7:21

C. God has given us His word to know what we must do to please Him (Deuteronomy 29:29).

1. Every word, in the text known as the Holy Scriptures, is inspired (II Timothy 3:16-17).

a. II Samuel 23:2
b. Jeremiah 1:9
c. Jeremiah 36:2
d. Acts 1:16
e. Acts 2:4
f. II Peter 1:20-21

2. We must realize that while the original text was inspired there are many translations of that text that fall very short, and no translator is inspired.

a. Some translations make an effort to “The first concern of the translators has been the accuracy of the translation and its faithfulness to the meaning of the biblical writers. This has moved the translators to strive for more than a word-for-word rendering of the original texts. Because thought patterns and syntax differ from language to language…” – NIV and TNIV Preface.
b. The 54 KJV translators had a purpose to use a superior method in translating called formal equivalency. Formal Equivalence, sometimes called Verbal Equivalence is a method of translation, which takes the Greek, and Hebrew words and renders them as closely as possible into English.

D. Does God Still Speak to Man Today Directly Through Revelation, Prophesies, etc.?

1. Max Lucado believes so, as he states: “Over the last few months, I've sensed our Master urging us to expand our dreams for San Antonio. He calls us to a fresh vision: a vision of a city-impacting church…  Over the last few weeks He has moved in great force again. God has given us our vision. The call to be a city-impacting church has come through loud and clear. Our elders enjoy an uncommon unity and conviction. The ministers, without exception, enthusiastically embrace this vision. Our marching orders are in hand. We now ask Him to give us the strength to obey them…”

a. Max says these things as he preaches change at Oak Hills in San Antonio, TX (SEE QUOTES FROM SERMON TITLED “LIFE UP YOUR EYES – A Call to a Greater Vision” - http://www.oakhillschurchofchrist.org/
b. These changes involve adding instrumental music to worship and swapping pulpits with the Trinity Baptist Church.
c. Of course, these things are error, as this lesson will show.

2. God still speaks today through His living word (Hebrews 4:12).

a. The day of Revelation ended with John’s Revelation.
The days of miraculous revelation ended when that which is perfect came (I Corinthians 13:8-10), and that is the written word of God (James 1:21-25).
As was shown earlier, any other revelation is cursed (Galatians 1:8-9).
b. The scriptures have been once for all delivered unto us (Jude 3).
c. The word of God will endure (Matthew 24:35).
d. The written word of God fully supplies us with all we need to know (John 20:30-31, II Peter 1:3, and II Timothy 3:16-17).

A. What God says we MUST do:

1. Deuteronomy 12:32
2. In response to one giving glory to the birth of Christ, notice what Jesus says (Luke 11:28).
3. Notice the punishment for disobedience (II Thessalonians 1:7-8).

B. To illustrate not only direct statement, but example and inference as well; we will use discipline and the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Notice these examples of direct statements:

1. We are commanded to practice discipline and through these Scriptures God has specified how (Matthew 18:15-17, Romans 16:17-18, and II Thessalonians 3:6; 14-15).
2. Jesus commanded us to go and preach the Gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15-16).

A. We are only to follow the examples that are approved:

1. Notice the qualifier Paul makes (I Corinthians 11:1).
2. While all Biblical examples teach a lesson, not all are good to duplicate (Leviticus 10:1-2, II Samuel 11:1ff. Matthew 26:69-75, etc.).

B. Notice the examples of our choice of illustrating authority in discipline and evangelism:

1. Notice the approved discipline examples we have in Corinth, the confrontation of Peter by Paul, and the markings of divisive brethren (I Corinthians 5:1-13, Galatians 2:11-17, I Timothy 1:20, II Timothy 2:15-18, and II Timothy 4:10; 14-15).
2. Notice the approved examples of evangelism we have that specifiy how we are to preach(Acts 2:14ff, Acts 5:42, Acts 8:4-12, Acts 20:20, etc.).

III. Discerning What God Desires of Man By Way of Necessary Implications

A. All communication requires to some extent, the hearer or reader to realize some things are necessarily implied.

1. “I am going to the bank.”

a. It is implied that I am going to the bank because I have financial business to carry out.
b. There is no implication that I am going to the bank to buy groceries.

2. We find the Lord’s Supper and the contribution occurring on the first day of the week in the New Testament (Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-2).

a. In reference to the Lord’s Supper Paul said: (I Corinthians 11:26) “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”
b. Through realizing the day in which the saints assemble, “as often”, is implied to be every first day of the week.
c. "As often" does not make what is specified in other areas generic.  As often is specefied by way of example - once on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7ff.).

B. Using our examples of discipline and evangelism we see some implications:

1. It is not stated, but implied, that if one is marked, they return, having repented of their sins, confess those faults, and the brethren are made aware of this once erring, marked disciple must be forgiven.

a. This conclusion is drawn because of such teachings as the Prodigal Son wherein the elder brother was wrong in not forgiving his once lost, but now returned brother (Luke 15:11-32).
b. This conclusion is supported by the fact that God forgives those who repent and confess their faults (II Peter 3:9 and I John 1:9).
c. The scriptures state that discipline is to bring shame upon the erring (II Thessalonians 3:14).  Why bring shame?  Shame brings change!!
d. Therefore, while not explicitly stated, it is implied, that a disciplined brother or sister can be restored to fellowship with God and the brethren.

2. In evangelism we see implications as well.  For example we infer that Phillip preached baptism to the Eunuch (Acts 8:26-39).

a. The text does not explicitly state that.
b. However, we see that the Eunuch knew that by his requesting to be baptized at the sight of water (Acts 8:36).
c. Therefore, the implication is that Philip preached Christ which is stated (Acts 8:35), and that preaching Christ includes baptism, which is not explicitly stated in this context.

A. Pattern defined:

1 : a form or model proposed for imitation :
2 : something designed or used as a model for making things <a dressmaker's pattern>
3 : a model for making a mold into which molten metal is poured to form a casting

B. The Bible Teaches about a Pattern:

1. Exodus 25:8-9
2. Joshua 22:28-29
3. II Timothy 1:13

C. Notice the Pattern of N.T. song worship:

• SING - Matthew 26:30
• SING - Mark 14:26
• SING - Acts 16:25
• SING - Romans 15:9
• SING - I Corinthians 14:15
• SING - Ephesians 5:19
• SING - Colossians 3:16
• SING - Hebrews 2:12
• SING - James 5:13

V. Fulfilling What God Has Desired of Man

A. May require expediencies:

1. Cups (Luke 22:17) for the fruit of the vine.
2. Song books to sing from helping us to fulfill the command and approved examples to sing (Ephesians 5:19).
3. A place to assemble aiding us to fulfill the command and examples to assemble in one place (Hebrews 10:25; I Corinthians 11:20).
4. For there to be an expedient, there first must be an authorized action.

a. We find no place in scripture authorizing a local church to play as a work of the church.
b. Therefore, there would be no authority for an expedient such as a gymnasium.

B. Requires an attitude of consistency:

1. One place says we must worship according to the scriptures.
2. They then add an instrument and say that the people wanted it because in their opinion it made the singing sound better.
3. We obey the scriptures and we choose to do something the scriptures did not authorize are not consistent statements.

C. Requires an attitude that is opposed to departure from revealed truth

1. It is wrong to change the word of God by addition or subtraction regardless of what man thinks or feels about any given issue:

a. Deuteronomy 4:2
b. Joshua 1:7
c. Proverbs 30:5-6
d. Revelation 22:18-19

2. No rare or extreme circumstance can be allowed to altar what God has written (II Samuel 6:6-7; cf. I Chronicles 15:2).
3. No apostle, preacher, prophet, or even an angel can change what God has said in any way:

a. Galatians 1:8-9
b. II Samuel 7:1-13

D. Doing what God desires requires that we respect the silence of the scriptures!

1. R. David Brewer at the Apostate Westside church in Pittsburgh says this: "Much of what I have read concerning the question of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit concerns itself with "Why the Spirit himself cannot dwell in the body of a Christian".  I believe this conclusion negates an important spiritual blessing intended by our Father.  This brief study attempts a look at various positions, but ultimately aims to ask "Why Not?".  I hope each student will prayerfully consider the outline and charts contained herein, and come to an understanding of the subject, which will allow the spiritual blessing intended by such indwelling.”
2. The question CANNOT EVER BE “why not”, we must approach any biblical issue by showing authority, not by saying silence permits (Colossians 3:17).
3. The problem with those who cannot respect the silence of the scriptures, is that they have taken a position and then sought out authority for it, instead of searching the word of God and just seeking to do those things God has said or shown to be pleasing to him.

A. In commands & examples there are also specific and generic things stated (with the generic in most cases, if not all, refering to the expedient in carrying out the specific instruction / example):

1. Day and Time of the Lord's Supper:

a. Specific – first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
b. Generic – what time on the first day of the week (THIS APPLIES TO THE EXPEDIENCY solved on a local congregational basis).
c. Thus, the day is specified, but the time is a matter of expediency in which each local church determines what time is most expedient to assemble.

2. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16):

a. Specific - go AND preach the Gospel to all the world
b. Generic (APPLYING TO EXPEDIENT)- go by car, boat, camel, etc.
c. Thus, we know what to be preached is the Gospel, where is all the world, but how we get there is a matter of expediency.

B. To determine what God desires of us, we must not only have the knowledge how to establish Bible Authority, but we must use that knowledge as we study the word of God (John 5:39).
C. The old “I think, I feel” mentality must be left out of searching for the truth.

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2003 by Brian A. Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.