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FIRST PRINCIPLES OF. THE ORACLES. OF GOD. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15
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FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD Thematic Studies In Bible Basics
Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) • Establishing Biblical Authority All3MethodsUsedBy1stCenturyChristians • The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 • Judaizers constantly opposed the apostles, their teaching cp. 13:8, 45, 50 14:2, 19 15:1 • The issue eventually reached a decisive point… brethren were “troubled” & “unsettled” v. 24
Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) • Establishing Biblical Authority All3MethodsUsedBy1stCenturyChristians • The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 • Established by an Examplevv. 7-11 • Peter discusses his work among the uncircumcised Gentiles • He references his visit with Cornelius vv. 7-10 cp. 10:44-47
AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) • Establishing Biblical Authority All3MethodsUsedBy1stCenturyChristians • The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 • Established by an Examplevv. 7-11 • The Gentiles had been “saved” v. 11 cp. v. 1 • This served as an example of how God had “cleansed the Gentiles by faith” without them submitting to circumcision v. 9
Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) • Establishing Biblical Authority All3MethodsUsedBy1stCenturyChristians • The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 • Established by a NecessaryInferencev. 12 • Paul & Barnabas discuss their mission work among the uncircumcised, emphasizing the signs & wonders they did cp. 2:4, 43 3:7-10 5:12-16 6:8 8:6 9:32-42
AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) • Establishing Biblical Authority All3MethodsUsedBy1stCenturyChristians • The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 • Established by a NecessaryInferencev. 12 • Miracles were done among Jews & Gentiles • This infers that God was willing to accept the Gentiles without them submitting to circumcision
Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) • Establishing Biblical Authority All3MethodsUsedBy1stCenturyChristians • The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 • Established by a Commandvv. 13-18 • James reminds everyone what God had earlier spoken through one of the prophets cp. Amos 9:11-12
AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) • Establishing Biblical Authority All3MethodsUsedBy1stCenturyChristians • The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 • Established by a Commandvv. 13-18 • If God had already spoken about bringing in the Gentiles withnomention of them being circumcised, that settled the issue
Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) • Establishing Biblical Authority All3MethodsUsedBy1stCenturyChristians • The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 • Establishing authority using this “3-approach method” accomplished 2 important things… • The controversy was solved v. 19 • Unity was produced in the churches v. 31
Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence • The previous material has emphasized the authority of what God has said • The following material emphasizes the authority of what God has not said • Both of these are equally authoritative • In fact, respect is especially shown when God is silent
Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence • A very common question asked whenever God has not spoken re: a matter is “Why can’t we…?” • This is basically decided by 2 extremes – • God’s silence is permissive • God’s silence is prohibitive
Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence • The argument over the “permissiveness” or “prohibitiveness” of God’s silence is not a new debate • This debate was had even during the days of the Religious Reformation (15th & 16th centuries)
Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence • A key verse containing a guiding principle in this “debate” is Deut 29:29 • What God hassaid belongs to us • What God hasnotsaid is a “secret” – belongs to Him • This is a principle that even earthly parents understand, employ with their children
Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence • Principles re: God’s silence from the O.T. • Israel at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-14 • They had to “wait” for God’s answer vv. 13-14 • They had already asked the “Why couldn’t we…” questions vv. 11-12 • They were eventually told to “Go forward” toward the sea Ù God helps in “bleak” situations • This teaches us to “wait” for God’s answer
Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence • Principles re: God’s silence from the O.T. • Israel during the Passover Num 9:1-14 • They were told to observe the Passover as the Law directed vv. 2-3 • A situation arose that was an exception vv. 6-7 • Moses’ reply, “Wait…I’ll go ask the Lord”v. 8 • God made additional provisions re: this situation vv. 10-12
What these examples teach us is that we are not at liberty to act when God is silent on an issue…we must determine His will before doing anything Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence • Principles re: God’s silence from the O.T. • Israel at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-14 • Israel during the Passover Num 9:1-14
Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence • Disregarding God’s silence from the O.T. • Saul and his offering 1 Sam 13:8-14 • Saul reasoned, “People are leaving…Samuel’s not coming…I’d better do something” vv. 8, 11-12 • After all, isn’t doing something better than doing nothing? • Samuel rebukes the king’s “foolishness” and his “disobedience” v. 13
Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence • Disregarding God’s silence from the O.T. • Saul and his offering 1 Sam 13:8-14 • ThelessonÙ We cannot allow “the moment” to justify doing something God has not authorized • God had already given the authorization re: who was to offer sacrifices Num 3:1-10 • Did He say anything about a king offering them? • What did this “silence” mean?