We Often Speak of Religious Differences…

We Often Speak of Religious Differences… • Instrumental music • “modes” of baptism • Women leadership • Plan of salvation • Church organization • Church centralization • Praying to saints • Falling from grace • Etc., etc., etc.

Merriam Webster's… • Hermeneutic: method or principle of bible interpretation Do you have one?

#1 The Pattern Principle Principles for living to last a life time FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR LIFE #2 The Command Principle

Often hear of “Interpretations” 2 Peter 1:20 …knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. The scriptures sometimes speak in clear “command” format

Jesus Claimed “command” Authority Matthew 22:21 They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” Demonstrated it with “taxes”

Jesus Claimed “command” Authority Luke 17:3-4 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Demonstrated it with “forgiveness”

Jesus Claimed “command” Authority Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Demonstrated it with the “Lord’s Supper”

Jesus Claimed “command” Authority Mark 5:41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,”which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Demonstrated it with “death”

Jesus Claimed “command” Authority Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. Demonstrated it with all His “teaching”

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets Matthew 18:18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Binding/loosing authority promised to the apostles

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 15:26-27 But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. Authority came from the Holy Spirit

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets John 16:13-14 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Authority came from the Holy Spirit

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,nor the heart of man imagined,what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. The Apostles claimed that authority

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets 1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. The Apostles claimed that authority

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets and They Used That Power Acts 2:37-38 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. How to be saved? No question.

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets and They Used That Power 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Paul voiced the Lord’s commands

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets and They Used That Power 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. Apostolic “direction” was a command

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets and They Used That Power Ephesians 5:18-19 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart… Commanded to sing

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets and They Used That Power 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, Commanded to rejoice and to pray

Jesus Gave Authority to His Apostles and Prophets and They Used That Power And many other passages in the N.T. “command” us to… Love Forgive Do good Discipline impenitent Encourage Grow Build up, etc., etc.

These Principles Tie Together • #1 Pattern Principle - The Bible, specifically the New Test. is a pattern, to be followed for life • #2 Command Principle – N.T. commands by Jesus and His apostles are authoritative Where Do You Stand?

We Often Speak of Religious Differences…