Authority and Edification: A Study of the Church's Work

1. A Study ofAuthority “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48).

2. A Study ofAuthority Lesson 12 Authority and Edification (Presentations are basically an adaptation of material found in Billy W. Moore’s classbook, A Study of Authority)

3. Introduction • We have learned in past lessons the need for authority • Two kinds of authority (Generic & Specific) • Means of establishing authority (Command, Example, Inference) • With this lesson we seek to make application, recognizing our need for authority in the realm of edification

4. The Church is to Engage in the Work of Edification • There is authority for such a work • While not in dispute, the fact remains that authority must be established • Approved by Direct Statement • 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:16

5. 1 Corinthians 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”

6. Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

7. The Church is to Engage in the Work of Edification • There is authority for such a work • While not in dispute, the fact remains that authority must be established • Approved by Direct Statement • 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:16 • Approved by Apostolic Example • Church in Corinth came together for the purpose of Edification (1 Cor. 14:26) • Certain gifts forbidden, because they did not edify (vs. 27-28)

8. 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”

9. The Church is to Engage in the Work of Edification • There is authority for such a work • While not in dispute, the fact remains that authority must be established • Approved by Direct Statement • 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:16 • Approved by Apostolic Example • Church in Corinth came together for the purpose of Edification (1 Cor. 14:26) • Certain gifts forbidden, because they did not edify (vs. 27-28) • See also (Acts 2:46; 11:26)

10. Acts 2:46 “So continuing daily with oneaccord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”

11. Acts 11:26 “And when he [Barnabas] had found him [Paul], he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

12. There were teachers set in the early church for the purpose of edification • God set teachers in the early church (1 Cor. 12:28) • In the beginning, miraculous gifts were needed to provide adequate teaching • Teachers were set, with miraculous powers, given by the laying on of the apostles hands

13. 1 Corinthians 12:28 “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”

14. There were teachers set in the early church for the purpose of edification • When Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave gifts unto men (Eph. 4:7-16)

15. Ephesians 4:7-16 “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.’ 9 (Now this, ‘He ascended’; what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)…”

16. Ephesians 4:7-16 “…11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;…”

17. Ephesians 4:7-16 “…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

18. There were teachers set in the early church for the purpose of edification • When Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave gifts unto men (Eph. 4:7-16) • Apostles and Prophets revealed divine truth (cf. 1 Cor. 2:12-13; John 16:13)

19. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 “12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

20. John 16:13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

21. There were teachers set in the early church for the purpose of edification • When Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave gifts unto men (Eph. 4:7-16) • Apostles and Prophets revealed divine truth (cf. 1 Cor. 2:12-13; John 16:13) • Evangelists, for the propagation of the truth revealed (Stephen (Acts 7), Philip (Acts 8), Timothy, Titus, Barnabas, etc. • Pastors (Elders) and teachers for the work of edifying in the local church (1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Peter 5:2)

22. 1 Timothy 3:2 “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach.”

23. 1 Peter 5:2 “Shepherd [feed] the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.”

24. How the Church Did Its Work of Edification • Edified itself (cf. Eph. 4:16) • God has organized the church to do the work • Whatever is necessary for the work of edification is supplied to the church by God (Place – provision – personnel) • Church has authority to recognize different physical stages in teaching • Young men and aged men (Tit. 2:2,6) • Young women and aged women (Tit. 2:3-4)

25. How the Church Did Its Work of Edification • Other stages recognized in teaching • Children and Parents (Eph. 6:1-4) • Husbands and Wives (Eph. 5:22-25) • Masters and servants (Tit. 2:9; Eph. 6:5-9) • Mental classifications as well • Adults and children, their thinking and understanding differ (1 Cor. 13:11; 1 Cor. 14:20) • Spiritual classifications • Babes (1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12-14) • Full Age (Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 3:2)

26. How the Church Did Its Work of Edification • There is no specific legislation on How, Where or When these groups are to be taught • Generic authority. Decisions can be made regarding: Place, Time, Persons to teach and be taught, Arrangements. • Elders have authority to make such provisions, (expediencies), providing they do not go beyond KIND, and do something other than teaching. • No other institution given for such a work.

27. The Bible Pattern of Edification • Place • Personnel • Provisions

28. Not The Bible Pattern of Evangelism • Place • Personnel • Provisions Sunday School or College

29. Violations of the Pattern • Establishing a man made organization like a Sunday School or College to do the work of edification for the church. • The church engaging in the work of secular education. • Using a “sponsoring church” arrangement to engage in the work of edification.

30. ? Questions Lesson 12 Authority and Edification

31. Question 1 • Cite the Scriptures which give a divine mandate and approved examples for the work of edification in the local church. Divine Mandate (Command): 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:16 Examples: 1 Cor. 14:2-28; Acts 2:46; 11:26

32. Question 2 • Name the different classifications given in the New Testament which distinguish differences in the groups which are to be taught. • Age • Young men and Aged Men • Young women and Aged Women • Place • Children and Parents • Husbands and Wives • Masters and Servants • Mental Abilities • Adults and Children • Spiritual Classifications • Babes and Full Age

33. Question 3 • Is there specific legislation given in the New Testament regarding How, When or Where the teaching in the church is to be done? If not, are there limitations on how it can be accomplished? The command to teach is generic, and not limited to any particular technique or location, so long as it is the gospel that is taught. As the command is generic in nature, we have liberty to choose any expedient means of accomplishing the task.

34. Question 4 • Is it scriptural for the church to establish a human institution (Sunday School, College) to do the work of edification for the church? No, whatever God has authorized the church to do, He has given them the means to accomplish His will. If the church supports or establishes another institution, it is abdicating its responsibility in the edification of its members.

35. Question 5 • Is it scriptural for the church to engage in the work of secularly educating its members or society? The only work given by God for the church in the area of instruction is the preaching of the gospel “the power of God unto salvation.” Those who advocate secular education as a work of the church are guilty of promoting the “social gospel.”