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
A New Testament Church In Defense of 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
The Foundation of NT Primitivism Apostolic
Authority

• Act 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

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
Perpetuating Apostolic Authority

• Jude 117-19 But, beloved, remember ye the words
  which were spoken before of the apostles of our
  Lord Jesus Christ (18) How that they told you
  there should be mockers in the last time, who
  should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (19)
  These be they who separate themselves, sensual,
  having not the Spirit.

15
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
16
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.

17
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
18
APOSTOLIC ORDERING OF THE CHURCHES

• 1 Corinthians 1133-34 So that, my brothers,
  when you come together to eat, wait for one
  another. (34) But if anyone hungers, let him
  eat at home, so that you do not come together to
  condemnation. And the rest I will set in order
  when I come.

19
APOSTOLIC ORDERING OF THE CHURCHES

• 1 Timothy 314-15 These things write I unto
  thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly (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.

THE MISSION OF TIMOTHY
20
APOSTOLIC ORDERING OF THE CHURCHES

• Titus 12-5 In hope of eternal life, which God,
  that cannot lie, promised before the world began
  (3) But hath in due times manifested his word
  through preaching, which is committed unto me
  according to the commandment of God our Saviour
  (4) To Titus, mine own son after the common
  faith Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the
  Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
  (5) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that
  thou shouldest set in order the things that are
  wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I
  had appointed thee

THE MISSION OF TITUS
21
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.

22
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.

23
ROMAN CATHOLICS AND AUTHORITY HOLDING THE LINE
AGAINST MODERNISM

• Pascendi Dominici Gregis, 1907
• The modernists looked to intuition, human
  experience and inner yearnings as the bases for
  religious belief, rather than to the
  argumentative proofs that neo-scholasticism . . .
  offered for the existence of God and the
  authority of Scripture and the church.
• Peter Steinfels, Fighting Modernists, A Decree
  Shaped Catholicism, New York Times, Sept. 1,
  2007, p. A13

24
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.

25
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
26
Development of the Canon

• FIVE STANDARDS FOR CANONIZATION
• Canon definition reed, straight rod
• 1. The authority of Jesus
• 2. Apostolicity
• 3. Usage in the church
• 4. Orthodoxy
• 5. Inspiration
• Arthur J. Patzia, The Making of the New Testament
  (Leicester Apollos, 1995), pp. 102-106.

27
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
28
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.

29
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.

30
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.

31
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.

32
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.

33
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. . .
  .

34
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.

35
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

36
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.

37
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."

38
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.

39
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.

40
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.

41
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.

42
(No Transcript)
43
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.
44
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.

45
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.

46
Thomas Campbell
DECLARATION AND ADDRESS OF THE CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON,
(Pa.) PRINTED BY BROWN SAMPLE. AT THE OFFICE OF
"THE REPORTER." 1809.
47
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.

48
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.

49
Thomas Campbell, On Religious Reformation
(Richmond, Va., 1832), p. 6

• 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 approved precedent.
•       4. That although the scriptures of the Old
  and New Testament are inseparably connected,
  making together but one perfect and entire
  revelation of the Divine will, for the
  edification and salvation of the church and,
  therefore, in that respect cannot be separated
  yet as to what directly and properly belongs to
  their immediate object, the New Testament is as
  perfect a constitution for the worship,
  discipline, and government of the New Testament
  church, and as perfect a rule for the particular
  duties of its members, as the Old Testament was
  for the worship, discipline, and government of
  the Old Testament church, and the particular
  duties of its members.
•      

50
Barton Stone Last Will
OBSERVATIONS ON CHURCH GOVERNMENT, BY
THE PRESBYTERY OF SPRINGFIELD. TO WHICH IS
ADDED, THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THAT
REVEREND BODY. WITH A PREFACE AND NOTES, BY THE
EDITOR.       Prepare ye the way of the
Lord--make straight in the desert a highway for
our God.       The word of our God shall stand
forever. ISAIAH.       1808.
51
Item. We will, that candidates for the Gospel
ministry henceforth study the holy scriptures
with fervent prayer, and obtain license from God
to preach the simple Gospel, with the Holy Ghost
sent down from heaven, without any mixture of
philosophy, vain deceit, traditions of men, or
the rudiments of the world. And let none
henceforth take this honor to himself, but he
that is called of God, as was Aaron. 21      
Item. We will, that the church of Christ assume
her native right of internal government--try her
candidates for the ministry, as to their
soundness in the faith, acquaintance with
experimental religion, gravity and aptness to
teach and admit no other proof of their
authority but Christ speaking in them. We will
that the church of Christ look up to the Lord of
the harvest to send forth labourers into his
harvest and that she resume her primitive right
of trying those who say they are Apostles, and
are not.       Item. We will, that each
particular church, as a body, actuated by the
same spirit, choose her own preacher, and support
him by a free will offering without written call
or subscription--admit members--remove offences
and never henceforth delegate her right of
government to any man or set of men whatever.    
  Item. We will, that the people henceforth take
the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven and
as many as are offended with other books, which
stand in competition with it, may cast them into
the fire if they choose for it is better to
enter into life having one book, than having many
to be cast into hell.       Item. We will, that
preachers and people, cultivate a spirit of
mutual forbearance, pray more and dispute less
and while they behold the signs of the times,
look up and confidently expect that redemption
draweth nigh.      
52
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.

• Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
  in the NT as the means of established unity of
  faith
• During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
  (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
  church
• In the pre-Reformation period independent,
  primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
  authority
• The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
  based on apostolic authority
• The Puritan reformation in England and America
  was fundamentally a restoration movement
• The American restoration movement (the
  Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
  mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
  departure from it

53
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.

• Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
  in the NT as the means of established unity of
  faith
• During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
  (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
  church
• In the pre-Reformation period independent,
  primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
  authority
• The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
  based on apostolic authority
• The Puritan reformation in England and America
  was fundamentally a restoration movement
• The American restoration movement (the
  Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
  mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
  departure from it

54
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.

• Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
  in the NT as the means of established unity of
  faith
• During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
  (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
  church
• In the pre-Reformation period independent,
  primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
  authority
• The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
  based on apostolic authority
• The Puritan reformation in England and America
  was fundamentally a restoration movement
• The American restoration movement (the
  Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
  mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
  departure from it

55
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.

• Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
  in the NT as the means of established unity of
  faith
• During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
  (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
  church
• In the pre-Reformation period independent,
  primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
  authority
• The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
  based on apostolic authority
• The Puritan reformation in England and America
  was fundamentally a restoration movement
• The American restoration movement (the
  Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
  mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
  departure from it

56
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.

• Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
  in the NT as the means of established unity of
  faith
• During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
  (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
  church
• In the pre-Reformation period independent,
  primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
  authority
• The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
  based on apostolic authority
• The Puritan reformation in England and America
  was fundamentally a restoration movement
• The American restoration movement (the
  Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
  mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
  departure from it

57
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.

• Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
  in the NT as the means of established unity of
  faith
• During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
  (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
  church
• In the pre-Reformation period independent,
  primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
  authority
• The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
  based on the apostolic authority
• The Puritan reformation in England and America
  was fundamentally a restoration movement
• The American restoration movement (the
  Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
  mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
  departure from it

58
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.

• Apostolic authority is clearly claimed and taught
  in the NT as the means of established unity of
  faith
• During the Ante-Nicene period apostolic authority
  (codified in the canon) was the rule of the
  church
• In the pre-Reformation period independent,
  primitivist churches appealed to apostolic
  authority
• The Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura was
  based on apostolic authority
• The Puritan reformation in England and America
  was fundamentally a restoration movement
• The American restoration movement (the
  Stone/Campbell movement) was contiguous with the
  mainstream of Christian historynot a novel
  departure from it