The document discusses biblical authority and how Christians determine what is authoritative in Scripture. It notes that while general revelation through nature reveals something about God, it is through special revelation in his word that we understand God's mind. The document examines how commands carry authority from their source, while statements simply provide facts. It stresses the importance of context in understanding biblical passages and authority, including considering questions of who, what, when, where, why and how. Examples are used to illustrate and confirm teachings but determining what is binding can be difficult to apply.

2. Desiring God’s Authority
• God’s faithful want to live by it. Col. 3:17
• The self-righteous demanded it. Matt. 21:23-27
• Considerations:
– Did they even have/use a hermeneutical system when
they asked Jesus this question?
– Would it look exactly like what we have today?

3. 1 Peter 4:11a (NKJV)
“If anyone speaks,
let him speak as the
oracles (very words) of God.”

4. THE SOURCE OF AUTHORITY

5. Except He Reveals Himself
• We can know some about God through creation.
Rom. 1:20-21
• But special revelation – His Word – gives us His
mind. 1 Cor. 2 (Rom. 10:14-15)
• Without His God-breathed words we would not
know how to live consistent to His good pleasure.
2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:10; Rom. 12:1-2; etc.

6. INHERENT PRINCIPLES
Commands and Statements

7. Commands: It’s Imperative
• Commandments carry authority from its source.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

8. Stating The Obvious…And Then Some
• Statements simply is an accounting of facts.
• Through statements people make inferences based upon
their contextual understanding.
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and
broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is
My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and
gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
Matthew 26:26-27

9. CONTEXT
Understanding Biblical Authority for what we do necessitates context

10. Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
• We ask – and strive to answer – these questions when
wrapping our minds around the context of a Bible
passage/subject.
• Through these questions we formulate inferences and
opinions that aide in the process of establishing
context.
• The more definitive information revealed to us the
more authoritative our conclusion.

11. Example of Establishing Context
What Is It?
2”
2.1”• Facts
(Information
about this
shape)
• Inferences
about this
shape?
.5”
Conclusions
• Initial Surface:
rectangle (not square)
• Cubed
• Perimeters
• Surface Areas
• Volume

12. Inferences
We make inferences (come up with possible
conclusions) based upon the available
information revealed (through a variety of
commands and statements) to understand the
context of a passage or subject.

13. Examples
• Example are used to illustrate, support, and
confirm what is being taught.
• It is practically applicable as a pattern, standard.
• Without a point of reference to illustrate, support
or confirm… an example would cease to exist as
such.

14. PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Harder than it seems… but we’ll strive to our utmost in honoring God.

15. Easy in Theory / Difficult to Apply
Matthew 26:26-27
• Is this a binding pattern for the order of the Lord’s
Supper?… or, a (incidental) statement of what took
place during the meal?
• Is the “one cup” a binding pattern?… or, a (incidental)
statement of what Jesus used to remember Him.
• Can we bind one but not the other?

16. More Examples of Binding Difficulties
• (married) Women to be silent? 1 Cor. 14:34-35
• Women to wear head covering? 1 Cor. 11:2ff
• Are we to fast with our prayers? Acts 13:1-3

17. Summary of Passages Used
• Commands and statements were present.
• Inferences (some might say “necessary”) were
employed.
• Some would use these very passages as
“examples” to illustrate or confirm their point.

18. When All Is Said and Done
Philippians 2:12–13 (NASB95) — 12 So then, my
beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as
in my presence only, but now much more in my
absence, work out your salvation with fear and
trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good pleasure.