BY WHAT AUTHORITY?

In Colossians 3:17 the apostle Paul gave these instructions: “Whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Many seem to think that just saying something is in the name of Jesus makes it so. Would an army unit who committed all types of atrocities and then stated that they were doing it in the name of the President of the United States make it so? NO! For them to be acting in his name they would have to get their orders from him.

Indeed, Col. 3:17 requires that we prove what we are doing and assure that it is authorized before practicing it. Do you think that Jesus wants His holy name associated with many of the abominable activities, which are going on in the name of religion today?

Thousands of religious teachers today claim to be teaching in the name of Jesus, and yet they are teaching contrary doctrines. Does this make sense? Can all of them be right? If it does not matter, why did Paul insist that we do all things in Jesus’ name?

Given that we must prove all things (1 Thess. 5: 21), the next question is: what is the standard of authority? To the Corinthians the apostle Paul wrote: “If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that thcy are the commandment of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37). He was writing to ordinary people just like you or me, and he expected that they would be able to withstand false teaching by the use of his writings.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read: “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, furnished conipletely unto every good work.” If you believe any of God’s word, you must believe that it and it alone provides the authority to furnish us with EVERYTHING! If it is not in the scriptures I want no part of it!

Most people have been conditioned from their youth to believe that the Bible cannot be understood and that it cannot be used to determine authority. Is this teaching from God or man? If it is from God, we should be able to find it in His word. But nowhere is such a doctrine to be found. In fact it directly contradicts the two scriptures quoted above.

The burden of proof is upon the teacher. Whoever puts forth a doctrine is duty-bound to prove its source -- from God or from man. We do not dodge this responsibility. In articles to follow under this column title we will demonstrate the authority for the various acts of worship and work in which Jesus wants us to participate.

We ask you to open your Bible and your heart in this study, and do not hesitate to ask any teacher: by what authority do you teach or practice this doctrine? Where is the scripture?