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Establishing Biblical Authority: Methods Employed by First-Century Christians

Explore Lesson 7 from the series 'First Principles of the Oracles of God,' focusing on how early Christians established biblical authority. This lesson examines the issue of whether Gentiles should be circumcised, highlighted in Acts 15, using three methods: an example through Peter’s experience with Cornelius, necessary inferences from the signs performed by Paul and Barnabas, and commands from scripture as reinforced by James. It emphasizes the importance of unity and resolution of controversies through understanding God’s silence and spoken word.

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Establishing Biblical Authority: Methods Employed by First-Century Christians

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  1. FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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)

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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?

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