The Authority of Christ's Apostles

During the Christian age, the supreme authority for the church is Christ ( Matthew 26:28:28:18).

Christ issues his commands to man through his apostles ( Matthew 18:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

Christ gave his will to the apostles through the Holy Spirit ( John 16:13-15).

Therefore the church is to follow only the teachings of the apostles ( 2 Thessalonians 2:15).

The church is not to add to or take from what the apostles teach ( Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Colossians 3:17:

Acts 2:42, Acts 15:24, 2 John 9, Revelation 22.18-19).

The apostles, not the church, determine what to believe and practice in serving Christ ( Acts 2:42).

How do the scriptures of the apostles and prophets authorize? They tell us what to do (e.g., 1 Timothy 2:8)

They show us what to do (e.g., Acts 20:7)

Any belief or practice not authorized by the apostles disobeys the command not to add to or take from God's word (cf. a man or committee governing all congregations, the church operating a business, establishing clergy vs. laity).

The scriptures do not explicitly forbid these actions, but they teach us to do only what the apostles authorize ( 2 John 9).

For example, when a mother tells her child to play only in the backyard, she implicitly forbids him to play in his neighbor's yard or in the street, even though she does not explicitly forbid him to play there.

Compare God's instructions to Noah: "Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood" ( Genesis 6:14). All other kinds of wood were excluded, though not explicitly forbidden.

Summary:

Christ has supreme authority during the Christian age.

Christ conveys his will to the church through the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit. The apostles' teaching authorizes our belief and practice.

We are to do only that which the apostles' teaching authorizes us to do.

Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."

• An Application of Apostolic Authority to the Instrumental Music Issue -Jul 25, 1999
• "Hiccup" Preaching -Mar 22, 1998
• Non-negotiable Doctrines -Feb 27, 1994
• No Compromise! -Aug 10, 1986