The document discusses insufficient standards of authority that people use to justify religious beliefs and practices, such as personal preferences ("I like"), feelings ("I feel"), desires ("I want"), thoughts ("I think"), popularity ("they do it"), perceived righteousness ("it seems right"), sincerity ("I am sincere"), self-righteousness ("I am always right"), and more. It argues that the only proper standard is the authority of God as revealed in scripture.

2. What standard of authority should we use in matters of religion?

4. Insufficient Standards of Authority “I Want” Some believe whatever I want is right. What about what God wants? Which is more important? Simon wanted something… Acts 8:18-24 Because one wants something “good” in religion does not make it right! “I Think” Isaiah 55:8-9; 2 Kings 5:9-14 Some use their thoughts or their own thinking for their standard in religion. We need God’s thoughts, not any man’s thoughts!

6. Insufficient Standards of Authority “I Am Sincere” Many appeal to sincerity as their standard. Is sincerity more important than being right? Being sincerely wrong in religion is a big problem! Uzzah was sincere… 2 Samuel 6:6-7 Where did it get him? “I Am Always Right” Some use themselves as the standard! Romans 3:4 Why Examine and Prove yourself? 2 Corinthians 13:5 Where does “the faith,” come from, “yourself”? Romans 10:17; Titus 1:2; John 17:17 We are not always right but God is always right!

8. What standard of authority should we use in matters of religion?

9. How do we determine how to worship and work together as Christians?

12. “…Which God has before ordained…” Eph. 2:10

15. Leviticus 10:1-2

17. Insufficient Standards of Authority “It Isn’t Against the Law” The civil law of men is NOT a sufficient standard for matters of religion. Sometimes the law of men is contrary to the will of God. Which should we follow? When Man’s law says to do what God forbids? Daniel 3:14-18 When Man’s law forbids what God commands? Acts 5:26-29

18. Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. Luke 11:28 To be saved… God’s word says believe – Mark 16:16 God’s word says repent – Acts 2:38 God’s word says confess Christ – Acts 8:37-38 God’s word says be baptized – 1 Peter 3:21 Be faithful to God – Revelation 2:10

20. What standard of authority should we use in matters of religion?

21. How do we determine how to worship and work together as Christians?

23. Insufficient Standards of Authority “Most Think It Is Okay” Has anyone asked you, “So you think only you and your little bunch are going to heaven”? They are using this standard. Does this standard work? Matthew 7:13-14 Consider what most think is Okay… “My Parents and Grandparents Did It” My religion can’t be wrong, this is what my parents, etc. did! We shall NOT be judged by the standard of what our parents did or Grandparents did. See Gal. 6:5

24. Insufficient Standards of Authority “It Doesn’t Bother My Conscience” Some believe their conscience must be bothered. Your conscience is not a safe or proper guide! There are many different consciences… “Good & Pure” – 1 Tim. 1:5, 19; 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3; Heb. 13:18; 1 Pet. 3:16, 21 A “weak conscience,” that can be defiled… 1 Cor. 8:7-12 “Defiled” - Titus 1:15; Heb. 9:14 “Seared” – 1 Timothy 4:2 Many are led astray by their own conscience Proverbs 30:20

25. Insufficient Standards of Authority “We Have Done It This Way For Years” Do you realize that this is no defense and certainly no standard. Should the church do anything just because that is the way it has been done for years? See Joshua 5:2-9; 24:14-15 Was what they were doing or not doing for many years right? “It’s Alright If We Do It In God’s Name” Simply using God’s name does not make it right. Consider Matthew 15:9; Matthew 7:21-23 We need to do what God says, not simply do what we want and claim it in God’s name!

26. Insufficient Standards of Authority “God Doesn’t Expect Us To Be So Technical” Some believe God is not concerned with details. What kind of standard is this? “What does God expect out of us”? This idea tells us we can disregard or ignore part of what God told us, but it doesn’t tell us what to ignore or how to determine that. Some will argue that God does not care or expect us to obey all His commands! Read Matthew 28:20; 1 Thes. 5:21; Hebrews 6:5 We will be judged by what Jesus spoke… John 12:48

27. Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. Luke 11:28 To be saved… God’s word says believe – Mark 16:16 God’s word says repent – Acts 2:38 God’s word says confess Christ – Acts 8:37-38 God’s word says be baptized – 1 Peter 3:21 Be faithful to God – Revelation 2:10