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Title: THE CONCEPT OF APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY: ITS BIBLICAL BASE


1
THE CONCEPT OF APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY ITS BIBLICAL
BASE HISTORICAL PERSISTENCE
  • THINKING INSIDE THE BOX ABOUT BIBLICAL
    PRIMITIVISM AND THE RESTORATION PRINCIPLE

2
THE ISSUE PATTERN THINKING
  • 1. An organizationPhil. 11 Acts 1423 I Tim.
    3 1ff Titus 15ff.
  • 2. An AssemblyHeb. 1025 I Cor. 1115
  • 3. TaughtActs 207 I Cor. 1415
  • 4. PrayedActs 125 I Cor. 1419
  • 5. SangEph. 519 Col. 316
  • 6. Lords Supper on 1st DayActs 207 I Cor.
    1120
  • Gave on 1st DayI Cor. 161,2 Acts 244-45
  • TreasuryActs 51-4
  • Relieved Needy SaintsActs 434-35 1129-30 I
    Cor. 161
  • Supported PreachingII Cor. 118 Phil. 415-16
  • 11. Discipline Unruly MembersI Cor. 51-5

3
RESTORING NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES THREE
ASSUMPTIONS
  • PROPOSITION 1 REGARDING APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
  • Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking
    assumes that the Apostles were given specific
    authority to define doctrine and set in order
    churches. This authority was perpetuated in the
    inspired writings of the New Testament.
  • PROPOSITION 2 REGARDING COMMON SENSE
    HERMENEUTICS
  • Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking
    assumes that human beings, through the use of a
    common sense possessed by all, have the ability
    to read texts and reach common conclusions about
    meanings. This empirical, logical type of
    thinking is the basis for all public (as opposed
    to private and subjective) human understanding.
  • PROPOSITION 3 REGARDING LOCAL CHURCHES
    (CONGREGATIONALISM)
  • Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking
    assumes that the practices of local churches in
    New Testament days rested on apostolic authority
    and that the ordering of churches was
    intentionally designed by God to promote
    uniformity (catholicity) among Christians.

4
FOUR ISSUESSIMPLIFIED VERSION
  1. THE NEW TESTAMENT WAS INTENDED TO GIVE GENERAL
    INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHRISTIAN BELIEF AND PRACTICE
  2. ALL HUMAN BEINGS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO READ
    BIBLICAL TEXTS AND REACH COMMON (RATIONAL AND
    PUBLIC) AGREEMENTS ABOUT MEANING
  3. THE CHURCH (BOTH UNIVERSAL AND LOCAL) WAS
    INTENTIONALLY SET IN ORDER TO BE UNIFORM
    (CATHOLIC) IN PRACTICE AND TEACHING
  4. THE HISTORICAL UNITY OF PRIMITIVIST CHRISTIAN
    MOVEMENTS RESTS ON THIS MINDSETNOT ON PERFECT
    UNIFORMITY OF UNDERSTANDING

5
1. THE APOSTOLIC COMMISSION
  • 1. The Apostles were commissioned by Jesus to
    complete the work of revealing Gods plan.
  • John 1425-26 These things have I spoken unto
    you, being yet present with you. (26) But the
    Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the
    Father will send in my name, he shall teach you
    all things, and bring all things to your
    remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
  • Acts 11-2 The former treatise have I made, O
    Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do
    and teach, (2) Until the day in which he was
    taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost
    had given commandments unto the apostles whom he
    had chosen. . . .

6
The Apostolic Commission
  • Act 113-26 And when they were come in, they
    went up into an upper room, where abode both
    Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip,
    and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the
    son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the
    brother of James. . . .(21) Wherefore of these
    men which have companied with us all the time
    that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
    (22) Beginning from the baptism of John, unto
    that same day that he was taken up from us, must
    one be ordained to be a witness with us of his
    resurrection.

7
2. Apostolic Credentials
  • a?p?st????
  • apostolos
  • ap-os'-tol-os
  • A delegate specifically an ambassador of the
    Gospel officially a commissioner of Christ
    (apostle), (with miraculous powers) - apostle,
    messenger, he that is sent.

8
The Importance of Pauls Apostolic Credentials
  • 1Co 91 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have
    I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my
    work in the Lord?

2Co 1211-12 I am become a fool in glorying ye
have compelled me for I ought to have been
commended of you for in nothing am I behind the
very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
(12) Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought
among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders,
and mighty deeds.
9
3. APOSTLIC ROLE IN REVELATION
  • Eph 32-6 If ye have heard of the dispensation
    of the grace of God which is given me to
    you-ward (3) How that by revelation he made
    known unto me the mystery (as I wrote afore in
    few words, (4) Whereby, when ye read, ye may
    understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
    (5) Which in other ages was not made known unto
    the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his
    holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit (6)
    That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of
    the same body, and partakers of his promise in
    Christ by the gospel

10
APOSTLES AND REVELATION
  • 2 Peter 31-4 This second epistle, beloved, I
    now write unto you in both which I stir up your
    pure minds by way of remembrance (2) That ye
    may be mindful of the words which were spoken
    before by the holy prophets, and of the
    commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and
    Saviour (3) Knowing this first, that there
    shall come in the last days scoffers, walking
    after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is
    the promise of his coming? for since the fathers
    fell asleep, all things continue as they were
    from the beginning of the creation.

11
The Apostles Bound Gods Will
  • Mat 1619 And I will give unto thee the keys of
    the kingdom of heaven and whatsoever thou shalt
    bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and
    whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be
    loosed in heaven.

Mat 1818 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye
shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and
whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven.
12
The Apostles Established Doctrine
  • Act 240-42 And with many other words did he
    testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from
    this untoward generation. (41) Then they that
    gladly received his word were baptized and the
    same day there were added unto them about three
    thousand souls. (42) And they continued
    stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
    fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
    prayers.

13
4. Apostolic Foundation of the Church
  • Eph 219-22 Now therefore ye are no more
    strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with
    the saints, and of the household of God (20)
    And are built upon the foundation of the apostles
    and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
    chief corner stone (21) In whom all the
    building fitly framed together groweth unto an
    holy temple in the Lord (22) In whom ye also
    are builded together for an habitation of God
    through the Spirit.

14
5. APOSTOLIC ORDERING OF LOCAL CHURCHES
  • 1 Corinthians 717 But as God has distributed to
    each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let
    him walk. And so I ordain in all churches.

ORDERING CHURCHES
15
STRONGS DEFINITION OF ORDERING
  • d?atass?
  • diatasso
  • dee-at-as'-so
  • To arrange thoroughly, that is, (specifically)
    institute, prescribe, etc. - appoint, command,
    give, (set in) order, ordain.

16
APOSTOLIC ORDERING OF THE CHURCHES
  • 1 Corinthians 1116 But if anyone seems to be
    contentious, we have no such custom, nor the
    churches of God.

THUS. . . THE EXCLUSION OF ALL OTHER PRACTICES
17
AUTHORITY THE DILEMMA OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY
  • HOW IS TRUTH ESTABLISHED?
  • HOW CAN UNIFORMITY BE ESTABLISHED IN THE
    CHURCHES?
  • 3. WHAT IS THE BASIS OF AUTHORITY??

18
THREE PATHS TO AUTHORITY
  • Gnosticism Derived from the Greek for
    knowledge, . . . the term Gnosticism covers a
    number of religious and quasiphilosophical
    movements that developed in the religious
    pluralism of the Hellenistic world and flourished
    from the second to the fifth centuries A.D. . . .
    It refers to a revealed knowledge available
    only to those who have received the secret
    teachings of a heavenly revealer. All other
    humans are trapped in ignorance of the true
    divine world. . . . Pheme Perkins in Everett
    Ferguson, ed., Encyclopedia of Early Christianity
    (New York Garland Publishing, Inc., 1990), p.
    371.

19
THREE PATHS TO AUTHORITY
  • Apostolic Succession Doctrine that ministry in
    the church derives from the apostles in
    historical continuity. . . . Irenaeus of Lyons
    drew on the idea of the succession of bishops to
    formulate an orthodox response to the Gnostic
    claim of a secret tradition. . . . Everett
    Ferguson in Encyclopedia of Early Christianity,
    p. 76.

20
THREE PATHS TO AUTHORITY
  • Apostolicity In the first and second centuries
    the issue of apostolic authorship became the
    primary test used to determine the canonicity
    of the books of the New Testament. The inclusion
    of books in canonical listings, and the exclusion
    of other books, rested largely on their clear
    identification with an apostle. . . . The general
    acceptance of the New Testament canon was a final
    confirmation that apostolic authority was the
    rule for the churches.

21
Development of the Canon
  • PATHS TO AUTHORITY IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY

GNOSTICISMS AND CONTINUING REVELATION
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION AND THE CENTRALIZATION OF
AUTHORITY
THE PRINCIPLE OF APOSTOLICITY, THE CANON, AND
INSPIRATION
22
Development of the Canon
  • 1. Apostolic Fathers (100-150) quotations from
    Gospels and Paul
  • 2. Muratorian Canon (c. 200 AD)
  • 3. Solidification of present New Testament
    (220-400)
  • Athanasius (367)
  • Synod of Rome (382)
  • Synod of Carthage (397)

CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTED USAGES
23
Muratorian CanonGeneral Application of Scripture
  • Although he wrote to the Corinthians and to the
    Thessalonians once more for their reproof,it is
    yet clearly recognizable that over the whole
    earth one church is spread. For John also in the
    Revelation writes indeed to seven churches,yet
    speaks to all. But to Philemon one, and to Titus
    one, and to Timothy two, (written) out of
    goodwill and love, are yet held sacred to the
    glory of the catholic Church for the ordering of
    ecclesiastical discipline.

24
APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IN HISTORY
  • 1. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
  • Colossians 26-7 As ye have therefore received
    Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him (7)
    Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the
    faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein
    with thanksgiving.
  • 1 John 15 This then is the message which we have
    heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is
    light, and in him is no darkness at all.
  • 1 Timothy 63 If any man teach otherwise, and
    consent not to wholesome words, even the words of
    our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which
    is according to godliness
  • 2 Thessalonians 215 Therefore, brethren, stand
    fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been
    taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

25
2. Ante-Nicene Clement of Rome (circa 100 AD)
  • 1Clem 71 These things, dearly beloved, we write,
    not only as admonishing you, but also as putting
    ourselves in remembrance. For we are in the same
    lists, and the same contest awaiteth us. 1Clem
    72 Wherefore let us forsake idle and vain
    thoughts and let us conform to the glorious and
    venerable rule which hath been handed down to us
    1Clem 73 and let us see what is good and what is
    pleasant and what is acceptable in the sight of
    Him that made us.

26
Ante-Nicene Clement of Rome (circa 100 AD)
  • 1Clem 421 The Apostles received the Gospel for
    us from the Lord Jesus Christ Jesus Christ was
    sent forth from God. 1Clem 422 So then Christ is
    from God, and the Apostles are from Christ. Both
    therefore came of the will of God in the
    appointed order. 1Clem 423 Having therefore
    received a charge, and having been fully assured
    through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ
    and confirmed in the word of God with full
    assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth with
    the glad tidings that the kingdom of God should
    come. 1Clem 424 So preaching everywhere in
    country and town, they appointed their
    firstfruits, when they had proved them by the
    Spirit, to be bishops and deacons unto them that
    should believe. 1Clem 425 And this they did in
    no new fashion for indeed it had been written
    concerning bishops and deacons from very ancient
    times for thus saith the scripture in a certain
    place, I will appoint their bishops in
    righteousness and their deacons in faith.

27
Ante-Nicene
  • Tertullian (160-230)
  • Whatever is not clearly permitted is
    forbidden.
  • Origen (185-254)
  • That alone is to be accepted as truth which
    differs in no respect from ecclesiastical and
    apostolic tradition.
  • See, Jack P. Lewis, Silence of Scripture in
    Reformation Thought, Restoration Quarterly,
    Second Quarter, 2006, pp. 73-90.

28
Polycarp of Smryna (69-155) Letter to the
Philippians
  • CHAPTER V.--THE DUTIES OF DEACONS, YOUTHS, AND
    VIRGINS.
  • Knowing, then, that "God is not mocked," we ought
    to walk worthy of His commandment and glory. In
    like manner should the deacons be blameless
    before the face of His righteousness, as being
    the servants of God and Christ, and not of men.
    They must not be slanderers, double-tongued, or
    lovers of money, but temperate in all things,
    compassionate, industrious, walking according to
    the truth of the Lord, who was the servant of
    all. . . .
  • CHAPTER VI.--THE DUTIES OF PRESBYTERS AND OTHERS.
  • And let the presbyters be compassionate and
    merciful to all, bringing back those that wander,
    visiting all the sick, and not neglecting the
    widow, the orphan, or the poor, but always
    "providing for that which is becoming in the
    sight of God and man. . . . Let us then serve Him
    in fear, and with all reverence, even as He
    Himself has commanded us, and as the apostles who
    preached the Gospel unto us, and the prophets who
    proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord
    have alike taught us. Let us be zealous in the
    pursuit of that which is good, keeping ourselves
    from causes of offence, from false brethren. . .
    .

29
3. Pre-Reformation Cyril of Jerusalem
(315-386), Catechetical Lectures
  • This seal have thou ever on thy mind which now
    by way of summary has been touched on in its
    heads, and if the Lord grant, shall hereafter be
    set forth according to our power, with Scripture
    proofs. For concerning the divine and sacred
    Mysteries of the Faith, we ought not to deliver
    even the most casual remark without the Holy
    Scriptures nor be drawn aside by mere
    probabilities and the artifices of argument. Do
    not then believe me because I tell thee these
    things, unless thou receive from the Holy
    Scriptures the proof of what is set forth for
    this salvation, which is of our faith, is not by
    ingenious reasonings, but by proof from the Holy
    Scriptures. But take thou and hold that faith
    only as a learner and in profession, which is by
    the Church delivered to thee, and is established
    from all Scripture. For since all cannot read the
    Scripture, but some as being unlearned, others by
    business, are hindered from the knowledge of
    them in order that the soul may not perish for
    lack of instruction, in the Articles which are
    few we comprehend the whole doctrine of
    Faith...And for the present, commit to memory the
    Faith, merely listening to the words and expect
    at the fitting season the proof of each of its
    parts from the Divine Scriptures. . . . Behold,
    therefore, brethren and hold the traditions which
    ye now receive, and write them on the table of
    your hearts.

30
3. PRE-REFORMATION
  • John Wycliff (1329-1384) and Lollard Beliefs
  • (2) Rejection of superstition. Lollards used
    their new English versions of the Bible to
    contrast the simplicity of the early church with
    the formalism and complexity of contemporary
    church life. They rejected anything they
    perceived as superstitious rather than
    authentically Christian, including doctrines such
    as purgatory and transubstantiation and practices
    such as prayers for the dead. They rejected
    pilgrimages as a waste of time and a money-making
    scheme for the priests. Simple rational
    explanations held greater appeal for them than
    elements of mystery and symbolism.
  • (3) The priesthood of all believers. The
    distinction between clergy and laity was crucial
    in the established churches, with the laity being
    largely passive. But Lollards rejected this
    distinction, and their anti-clerical stance found
    a ready welcome among many who were already
    critical of a privileged and corrupt clergy. . .
    . The true church was a congregation of true
    believers. Although there are instances of
    Lollard groups ordaining their own priests,
    generally they were committed to the priesthood
    of all believers, with lay people involved in all
    aspects of religious life, including preaching,
    hearing confessions informally, and officiating
    at the Eucharist.
  • (4) The sacraments. Lollards stressed a common
    sense approach to faith and applied this to
    issues such as communion, where it seemed obvious
    that the bread remained bread, whatever the
    metaphysical explanations behind the traditional
    dogmas. Transubstantiation was regarded as a
    recent and perverted development contrary to the
    teachings of the orthodox creeds.
  • Stuart Murray Williams, The Lollards at
    www.anabaptistnetwork.com

31
Pre-Reformation
  • The Waldensians, 1174-1560, Stuart Murray
    Williams, www.anabaptistnetwork.com
  • (1) Anti-clericalism. Waldensians preached a
    simple message of repentance, individual
    responsibility and holy living. They criticised
    the corruption of the clergy and denied that such
    men should be trusted. Instead they endorsed lay
    Bible study. The movement was marked by deep love
    for the Bible and passionate desire to understand
    and obey it. They were committed to a believers
    church ecclesiology, where the local congregation
    ordered its life together, and they were
    determined to submit to biblical authority alone.
  • (2) Church structure. There was emphasis on the
    priesthood of all believers, men and women. The
    role of the preachers was crucial for the
    movement, but these leaders were not ordained,
    nor generally regarded as belonging to a separate
    class of Christians, nor ranked in any kind of
    hierarchy. . . . Those who were not preachers
    remained in their homes and jobs, devoting time
    to Bible study and nurturing their faith in
    secret. They collected support for the preachers,
    ran training schools in their homes and, where
    they could, tried to draw others i into the
    movement.

32
4. REFORMATION
  • Luther at the Diet of Worms (1521)
  • "Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain
    reason - I do not accept the authority of the
    popes and councils, for they have contradicted
    each other - my conscience is captive to the Word
    of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything
    for to go against conscience is neither right nor
    safe. God help me. Amen."

33
Reformation
  • Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531)
  • Away with human ceremonies and regulations, we
    want only the Word of God. (1523)
  • This church imposes no laws on the conscience
    of people without the sanction of the Word of
    God, and the laws of the Church are binding only
    in so far as they agree with the Word. (1528)
  • Anabaptists
  • Bernard Rothmann at Munster Colloquy (1533)
  • It is essential that everything required or
    desired by men should be done in the name and at
    the command of God through the positive word of
    God as Peter affirms I Pet. 411. And
    certainly we should discontinue everything else
    that God has not expressly commanded.

34
English Dissenters
  • Richard Baxter (1615-1691) Kidderminster, England
  • What man dare go in a way which has neither
    precept nor example to warrant it....? For my
    part, I will not fear that God will be angry with
    me for doing no more than He has commanded me,
    and for sticking close to the rule of His word in
    matters of worship but I should tremble to add
    or diminish.

35
English Dissenters
  • John Hooper (1495-1555) Puritan Bishop of
    Gloucester
  • Nothing should be used in the church which has
    not either the express Word of God to support it,
    or otherwise is a thing indifferent in itself,
    which brings no profit when done or used, but no
    harm when not done or omitted.

36
English Dissenters (Puritans)
  • John a Lasco (1499-1560) Strangers Church in
    London
  • There is one way of safety if we altogether
    turn to repentance believe the gospel of Christ,
    walk in innocence of life, and retain nothing in
    the church which does not either have the express
    word of God, or else take its infallible origin
    from that source.

37
(No Transcript)
38
Westminster Confession1636 Chapter 1
VI. The whole counsel of God concerning all
things necessary for His own glory, man's
salvation, faith and life, is either expressly
set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary
consequence may be deduced from Scripture unto
which nothing at any time is to be added, whether
by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions
of men. . . . VII. All things in Scripture are
not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear
unto all yet those things which are necessary to
be known, believed, and observed for salvation
are so clearly propounded, and opened in some
place of Scripture or other, that not only the
learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the
ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient
understanding of them.
39
5. The American Experience Salem Covenant of
1629
  • We covenant with the Lord and one with another
    and doe bynd our selves in the presence of God,
    to walke together in all his waies, according as
    he is pleased to reveal himself unto us in his
    blessed word of truth.

40
The Watertown Covenant July 30, 1630
  • For in the End of the Day, after the finishing of
    our Publick Duties, we do all, . . . Promise, and
    enter into a sure Covenant with the Lord our God,
    and before him with one another, by Oath and
    serious Protestation made, to renounce all
    Idolatry and Superstition, Will-Worship, all
    Humane Traditions and Inventions whatsoever, in
    the Worship of God and forsaking all Evil Ways,
    do give ourselves wholly unto the Lord Jesus, to
    do him faithful Service, observing and keeping
    all his Statutes, Commands, and Ordinances, in
    all Matters concerning our Reformation his
    Worship, Administrations, Ministry, and
    Government and in the Carriage of our selves
    among our selves, and one another towards
    another, as he hath prescribed in his Holy Word.
    Further swearing to cleave unto that alone, and
    the true Sense and meaning thereof to the utmost
    of our Power, as unto the most clear Light and
    infallible Rule, and All-sufficient Canon, in all
    things that concern us in this our Way.

41
Thomas Campbell
DECLARATION AND ADDRESS OF THE CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON,
(Pa.) PRINTED BY BROWN SAMPLE. AT THE OFFICE OF
"THE REPORTER." 1809.
42
Declaration and Address
  • PROP. 1. THAT the church of Christ upon earth is
    essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally
    one consisting of all those in every place that
    profess their faith in Christ and obedience to
    him in all things according to the scriptures,
    and that manifest the same by their tempers and
    conduct, and of none else as none else can be
    truly and properly called christians.
  • 2. That although the church of Christ upon earth
    must necessarily exist in particular and distinct
    societies, locally separate one from another yet
    there ought to be no schisms, no uncharitable
    divisions among them. They ought to receive each
    other as Christ Jesus hath also received them to
    the glory of God. And for this purpose, they
    ought all to walk by the same rule, to mind and
    speak the same thing and to be perfectly joined
    together in the same mind, and in the same
    judgment. 
  •       3. That in order to this, nothing ought to
    be inculcated upon christians as articles of
    faith nor required of them as terms of
    communion but what is expressly taught, and
    enjoined upon them, in the word of God. Nor ought
    any thing be admitted, as of divine obligation,
    in their church constitution and managements, but
    what is expressly enjoined by the authority of
    our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles upon the
    New Testament church either in express terms, or
    by approven precedent.

43
Declaration and Address
  • With a direct reference to this state of things
    and, as we humbly think, in a perfect consistency
    with the foregoing explanations, have we
    expressed ourselves in page 10th wherein we
    declare ourselves ready to relinquish, whatever
    we have hitherto received as matter of faith or
    practice, not expressly taught and enjoined in
    the word of God so that we, and our brethren,
    might, by this mutual condescension, return
    together to the original constitutional unity of
    the christian church and dwell together in peace
    and charity.

44
APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
  • Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking
    assumes that the Apostles were given specific
    authority to define doctrine and set in order
    churches. This authority was perpetuated for
    later generations in the inspired writings of the
    New Testament.
  1. Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
    in the NT as the means of established unity of
    faith
  2. During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
    (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
    church
  3. In the pre-Reformation period independent,
    primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
    authority
  4. The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
    based on apostolic authority
  5. The Puritan reformation in England and America
    was fundamentally a restoration movement
  6. The American restoration movement (the
    Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
    mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
    departure from it

45
APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
  • Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking
    assumes that the Apostles were given specific
    authority to define doctrine and set in order
    churches. This authority was perpetuated for
    later generations in the inspired writings of the
    New Testament.
  1. Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
    in the NT as the means of established unity of
    faith
  2. During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
    (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
    church
  3. In the pre-Reformation period independent,
    primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
    authority
  4. The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
    based on apostolic authority
  5. The Puritan reformation in England and America
    was fundamentally a restoration movement
  6. The American restoration movement (the
    Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
    mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
    departure from it

46
APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
  • Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking
    assumes that the Apostles were given specific
    authority to define doctrine and set in order
    churches. This authority was perpetuated for
    later generations in the inspired writings of the
    New Testament.
  1. Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
    in the NT as the means of established unity of
    faith
  2. During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
    (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
    church
  3. In the pre-Reformation period independent,
    primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
    authority
  4. The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
    based on apostolic authority
  5. The Puritan reformation in England and America
    was fundamentally a restoration movement
  6. The American restoration movement (the
    Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
    mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
    departure from it

47
APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
  • Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking
    assumes that the Apostles were given specific
    authority to define doctrine and set in order
    churches. This authority was perpetuated for
    later generations in the inspired writings of the
    New Testament.
  1. Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
    in the NT as the means of established unity of
    faith
  2. During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
    (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
    church
  3. In the pre-Reformation period independent,
    primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
    authority
  4. The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
    based on apostolic authority
  5. The Puritan reformation in England and America
    was fundamentally a restoration movement
  6. The American restoration movement (the
    Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
    mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
    departure from it

48
APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
  • Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking
    assumes that the Apostles were given specific
    authority to define doctrine and set in order
    churches. This authority was perpetuated for
    later generations in the inspired writings of the
    New Testament.
  1. Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
    in the NT as the means of established unity of
    faith
  2. During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
    (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
    church
  3. In the pre-Reformation period independent,
    primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
    authority
  4. The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
    based on apostolic authority
  5. The Puritan reformation in England and America
    was fundamentally a restoration movement
  6. The American restoration movement (the
    Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
    mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
    departure from it

49
APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
  • Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking
    assumes that the Apostles were given specific
    authority to define doctrine and set in order
    churches. This authority was perpetuated for
    later generations in the inspired writings of the
    New Testament.
  1. Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
    in the NT as the means of established unity of
    faith
  2. During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
    (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
    church
  3. In the pre-Reformation period independent,
    primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
    authority
  4. The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
    based on the apostolic authority
  5. The Puritan reformation in England and America
    was fundamentally a restoration movement
  6. The American restoration movement (the
    Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
    mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
    departure from it
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