The document discusses the source of doctrinal authority. It argues that the Bible alone should be the sole authority, as defined by "from the mouth of God" in the literature of that time. Doctrines should come directly from diligent study and correct interpretation of Scripture itself, not tradition or other teachers. This requires comparing Scripture with Scripture, and rightly dividing the Bible so that all Scripture is applied properly depending on the audience and time period.

1. WHERE DO WE GET
OUR DOCTRINES?

2. AUTHORITY
Privilege
There is an authority that is given due to choice.
A group bestows upon a person a position of
authority by election.
Mastery
A person with obvious skills, either natural or
learned, is considered an authority due to those
skills.
Power
Some people possess authority by sheer force.
This might be positive or negative.

3. AUTHORITY
IN THE LITERATURE OF THAT TIME, WAS DEFINED AS “FROM THE
MOUTH OF GOD.”

4. NOT AS THE
SCRIBES,
“Jewish teachers always referred
to tradition, or to what some
other teacher had said; and do so
to this day.”

5. The Bible, rightly divided, is the only authority
we have for our doctrines.

6. I. FROM THE
WORD OF GOD
It ought to be that our doctrines
are the Word of God to the
extent that you only have to
study the Bible to find them.

7. II. DILIGENTLY STUDIED
Sound doctrine compares Scripture with
Scripture.
1 Corinthians 2:13 (KJV)
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual
things with spiritual.

8. III. RIGHTLY DIVIDED
All Scripture is profitable for all of us at all
times, but it does not all apply to all of us the
same way.

9. CONCLUSION
Our doctrines must,
• Come from the Word of God and not
books about the Word of God
• Come out of diligent study of the Word of
God and not just finding verses that fit what
we already believe and
• Come through a process of rightly dividing
and then applying the Word of God to our
day and circumstances