Daily Archives: January 18, 2009

Biblical Authority and Freedom of Conscience

Sunday Evening Sermons

What Am I Doing In Church?

 

January 18, 2009

 

Baptist Distinctives

 

Biblical Authority and Freedom of Conscience

 

 

Introduction

 

  • The distinctives of Baptists spring from a foundational belief in the final authority of the Bible in all matters of faith and practice.
  • Although it is understood that other Christians may agree with one or more of the distinctives we hold, Baptists believe all of them.
  • A distinctive is a trait or a characteristic that distinguishes one thing from another.
  • Baptist distinctives are those doctrines or practices that distinguish Baptists from other Christian groups or denominations. 

Biblical Authority

2 Timothy 3:16

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

I.                   The Baptist Declaration of Biblical Authority

 

A.     The matter of authority determines whose idea, will or way will decide or prevail.

B.      The final authority for faith and practice is the Bible.

C.     This truth is found in Baptist articles of faith through out the centuries.

 

II.                The Baptist Delineation of Biblical Authority

 

A.     This statement has similarities to the Protestant statements made at the time of reformation.

B.      The Baptist position is different than the Protestants.

C.     The Bible is supernaturally inspired.

D.     The Bible is totally true – it does not merely contain the truth.

E.      The Bible is God’s complete revelation

F.      The Bible is the final authority.

G.     This is distinct from the Roman Catholic view.

 

1.     The Catholics make edicts of councils, statements of popes and traditions of the church equal with the authority of the Bible.

2.     They believe that their church produced the Bible, so it has authority over the Bible.

3.     God tells us not to add anything or take away anything from His word.  Revelation 22:18-19

 

H.     Distinct in comparison to the view of many Protestants.

 

1.     Many main line Protestant denominations have forsaken the position of Biblical Authority.

2.     Baptists hold that the New Testament is the full and complete authority for the church.

3.     The New Testament church is not a modified synagogue of the inter biblical period.

 

I.       Distinct in comparison to the view of Pentecostals or Charismatics.

 

1.     Pentecostals and Charismatics believe that God still gives special revelation.

2.     Baptists challenge this position with the following scripture:

 

1 Corinthians 13:8-10

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

 

Freedom of Conscience

 

I.   Foundational Distinctive

 

A.     Baptists have declared personal and individual responsibility and accountability of each person before God.

B.      Worship must be voluntary.

 

II.   A Biblical Imperative

 

A.     Each soul will be called into accountability.

 

Romans 14:12

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

Revelation 20:12

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

Matthew 12:36

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

 

Romans 2:16

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

 

B.      Christ emphasized individual decisions to obey God.

 

Matthew 7:24-27

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

 

Matthew 12:46-50

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

III.             An Ecclesiastical Distinctive

 

A.     Baptist denial of infant baptism is based in part upon the principle of individual freedom of conscience.

B.      Each believer is a priest with access directly to God through the Lord Jesus.

 

1 Timothy 2:5

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

 

IV.              A Historical Distinctive

 

A.     Early declarations of freedom of conscience – the Donatists

B.      English Baptists were persecuted for this principle

C.     American Baptists suffered for this principle.

I Will Build My Church

Sunday Morning Sermons

I Will Build My Church

Mathew 16:13-20

Preached Sunday Morning January 18, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

            There is a great deal of confusion out there about the Biblical definition of the church. Historically, there has been one denomination, established over 300 years after New Testament events, that claims to be the Church.

 

            It is commonly thought that this one denomination was the one started by Christ, and every other denomination is a break off from the One True Holy Universal, or Catholic Church.

 

            This morning we are going to study the word of our savior, Jesus Christ. We will discover that the church is not a denomination or sect, but rather a local organized assembly function. We will see that the local New Testament church is the body of Christ.

 

 

I.                   The Church has one founder

 

A.    Jesus wanted to know who people said that He is.

 

Matthew 16:13-14

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist:  some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

 

1.      This is the fundamental question that must be answered.

2.      Many men think that Jesus was a good teacher, but that will not save anyone.

 

 

B.     Jesus wanted to know what the disciples thought.

 

Matthew 16:15-18

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  

 

1.      Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah

2.      This confession came as a spiritual awakening.

3.      The conversation was about Jesus not Peter.

4.      Peter = little stone

5.      Rock = foundation stone

 

C.     The Church is not founded upon a sinful man

 

1.      Peter’s denial

2.      Peter in the boat

3.      Peter vs. Paul

 

D.    The Church is founded upon Jesus Christ

 

1.      He is the Foundation

 

            1 Corinthians 3:10-11

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 

Acts 4:10-12

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

2.      He is the Protector

3.      He is the Builder

 

E.     The Church is a local body

 

1 Corinthians 12:25-27

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 

1.      Ekklesia= called out assembly

2.      A fellowship of Born again Christians meeting locally

 

Acts 2:41-42

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.

 

F.      The local church operated under the authority of Christ and that authority is recognized in Heaven and on earth.

 

Matthew 16:19-20

19 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. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

 

II.                The Church has one main mission in the world

 

A.    Its mission is to support truth, not define it.

1.      Truth is found in the Word of God

 

John 17:17

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 

2 Timothy 3:16

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

2.      The Church is a pillar of truth, not the foundation of truth

 

1 Timothy 3:15

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

 

B.     Its mission is to reach the world with the truth of the Gospel

 

Matthew 28:19-20

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

1.      Go and make disciples

2.      Baptize them

3.      Teach them

 

III.             The Church has one main mission to believers

 

A.    Perfecting the Saints

 

1.      Prepared as a bride

 

Ephesians 5:25-27

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

2.      Perfected

Ephesians 4:11-13

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  

 

B.     Fellowship of the Saints

 

Acts 2:41-47

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. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

Hebrews 10:25

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

James 5:16

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

C.     Exercise of Spiritual gifts

 

Romans 12:3-8

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.