Me vs. the Church

1.    Introduction

a.    Today is Christmas Eve

b.    Many are confused about the celebration of holidays

c.    Simple answer – There are things I (individual) can do that the church does NOT do.

2.    Two approaches to authority

a.    Luther – what is not forbidden is authorized

b.    Zwingli – what is not authorized is forbidden

3.    Three types of authority

a.    Specific command – Preach the gospel

                                          i.    Specific = limited – don’t go beyond

b.    Generic command – Go into all the world

                                          i.    Generic = open to your judgment of what is best way

c.    Necessary inference – church building

                                          i.    NI = not mentioned but needed to carry out the command

                                        ii.    Build Ark – hammer, ax, saw, etc.

                                       iii.    Go – means of travel – walk, car, plane, boat

4.    Me vs. the Church

a.    There are things that the individual is allowed to do

b.    But the church is limited by specific commands