Authority

Since God is our creator, He has the ultimate right to exercise authority over us. When Jesus triumphed over the law and death, ALL authority was given to Him (Mt. 28:18). Jesus' authority was exercised through the apostles when He sent the Holy Spirit to guide them into every good work (Jn. 15:26-27, 16:13). In turn, they wrote those things which the Spirit gave them in the New Testament (1 Cor. 2:12-13). When we read them we can have the same understanding that they had (Eph. 3:3-4).

Challenges to Jesus' authority often take the form of direct rebellion against God, as in the case of immorality or malice. However, often the challenges to Jesus' authority are attempts to "help God out" while claiming to be doing His will (Mt. 7:21-23). Many religious leaders are just not satisfied with the scriptures which God has preserved for us (Mt. 24:35).

The scriptures have the total capacity to guide us unto every possible good work and to warn us against all evil (2 Tim. 3: 16-17). This This is an absolute statement; and since we are warned in no uncertain terms against adding to or taking away from God's word (Rev. 22: 18-19), the Bible has the full weight of God's authority.

In this article we wish to explore the Biblical concept of authority in some detail. The apostle Paul pleaded with the Corinthian Christians that there be no divisions among them (1 Cor. 1:10), and Jesus prayed for our unity while in the garden (Jn. 17:21). Surely such unity of God's people is possible, but only if we understand and recognize the authority which can bring it about.

The Authority of the Church

If the Bible were not authoritative, it would be of little value. For, how could we tell which part to accept, and which to reject? Today we see the Bible being overridden by church councils, latter-day apostles, leaders who supposedly talk to God, or anyone who feels a spirit moving in them. Is such following the authority of God or the authority of man? Before answering, please read Proverbs 14:12 and Jeremiah 10:23.

Does the church have the authority to override the teachings of the Bible? To answer this question it is essential that we have a proper understanding of what constitutes "the church." This (sole) organization of God's people was promised to be built by Jesus (Mt. 16:18). We find it coming into existence when the gospel was first preached on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). From that point forward it is spoken of in the New Testament as being a reality.

The church is never described in the New Testament as being a source of truth. The Holy Spirit revealed the truth through the apostles and the first-century prophets, who were endowed with spiritual gifts through the laying on of the apostle's hands (Acts 8:17-18). Indeed, it is God's intent that unto every person "might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God" (Eph. 3:10). But making the truth known is far different from being the source of the truth.

The New Testament pattern follows the parable of the sower (Mt. 13:3f): the truth is sown, and it makes Christians. Following the truth, Christians form into churches to do the work for which they are collectively charged. The truth was and is sufficient for this purpose; no higher organization than the local church is given in the New Testament. Thus, if church leaders stray from the truth, the consequences were felt only in that local area.

Indeed, we see this beginning to happen in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:10f) and in some of the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 2&3). A general falling away was prophesied (2 Thes. 2:1f; 1 Tim. 4:1-3), and this is exactly what happened when church leaders stepped in to substitute their ideas for truth.

We do not mean to infer that the local church is without authority to discipline its own; but this is another topic (see Mt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Thes. 3:6-15).

Ye Often Hear It Said . . .

If you believe it, it's right for you . . .

But the prophet Jeremiah stated (Jer. 10:23):

O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

 

Recall one of the primary things that set Jesus apart from the religious teachers of his day (Mt. 7:28-29): "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes." Much of populist religion today centers on rationalizing all forms of evil instead of presenting authoritative teachings from the word of God.

Recall the great commission (Mt. 28:18-20): "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen."

Christians must preach and teach with authority; but this authority must be Jesus' word and Jesus' authority (Col. 3:17).