Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Why the New Testament (Still) Applies to Us
Intro.
1. Jesus put apostles and prophets in His church, Eph. 4:11-12.
2. They wrote the New Testament. But, does the NT apply to us?
3. Many say it is no longer culturally relevant – It was written in a different age with different customs, and we cannot bind it today.
-[Role of women in the church; Worship models (instrumental music, the Lord's supper, etc.).]
4. Those who reject necessary inferences (NI) to establish and apply Bible authority have a problem: None of the NT was directly written to us today. We apply it today because we necessarily infer it was also written for us and that it has authority over us.
a. Will they respect the NT as the verbally inspired word of God? Will they believe the NT possesses binding authority over them? Will they have the church of Christ follow the NT patterns?
b. If so, they must give up their unscriptural view that rejects NI.
c. If not, then they must reject the NT as little more than a historical document without relevance and binding authority today.
d. Some have already cast off the binding nature of NT patterns (2 Tim. 1:13).
5. The apostles claimed their words have heaven’s binding authority, Gal. 1:8-9. If true, we must yield to them. If false, we are deceived.
I. WHY THE
WRITINGS OF CHRIST’S APOSTLES AND PROPHETS HAVE BINDING AUTHORITY OVER US.
A. Their Letters are the Commandments of the Lord,
1 Cor. 14:37.
1. Paul taught same thing “everywhere in every church,” 1 Cor. 4:17.
2. We are not to go beyond what is written, 1 Cor. 4:6.
3. Handed down from
heaven,
Matt. 16:19;
18:18;
2
Thess. 2:13-15.
B. Jesus Said to Hear/Receive Them is to Hear/Receive Him,
and to Reject Them is to Reject Him,
Lk. 10:16;
Matt.
10:40;
Jno. 13:20.
1. Apostles said to observe what Jesus taught them,
Matt.
28:18-20.
2. Therefore, we are to hear/receive apostolic teaching as the will of
Christ and not the will of men,
1 Thess.
2:13 (words and
writings).
C. Their Writings were to be Circulated because of their
Universal Authority,
Col. 4:16;
1
Thess. 5:27 (remember
1
Cor. 4:16-17).
-Their universal need
and authority have not ended. If so, when? How? By whom?
D. We Can Understand what the Apostles Knew When We Read
What They Wrote,
Eph. 3:3-5.
1. The truth they knew and taught can be spoken in love to convert and
to help us grow in Christ (Eph.
4:11-16).
2. The apostolic teaching is not cunningly devised fables; it is credible
eyewitness testimony of the Son of God,
2 Pet.
1:16-21.
E. The Salvation
Jesus Began to Speak is Confirmed to Us by His Apostles,
Heb.
2:1-4.
1. The apostles wrote so we can have fellowship with God and have full
joy in Christ,
1 Jno. 1:1-4.
2. We know the Son of God has given us an understanding through the
revelation of truth by His apostles,
1 Jno. 5:20
(18-20).
F. Their Writings are Scripture and Completely Equip Us for Every Good Work, 2 Tim. 3:15-17.
1. Their writings
carry the weight of Scripture,
2 Pet. 3:16,
1-2.
2. Without them, what defines “good” in God’s sight? (Jgs.
21:25)
G. The Apostles’ Teachings (NT) were to be Taught to Others Repeatedly, 2 Tim. 2:2.
-Demonstrates their
writings are applicable to all subsequent generations. (cf.
Acts 8:4)
H. The New Testament:
1. Brings the lost to faith and salvation, Jno. 17:17, 20 (Rom. 10:17).
2. Equips the church to serve the Lord, Acts 2:42; Eph. 4:11-12.
3. Equips us for unity in Christ, Jno. 17:21; Acts 4:32-33; Eph. 4:3, 13.
Conclusion
1. The writings of the apostles (NT) are the word of God, 1 Thess. 2:13.
2. Without the New Testament, we would not be able to have faith and be saved, Jno. 20:30-31.
3. With it, we have the mind of God revealed to us, 1 Cor. 2:10-13.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted May 29, 2019