Authority:
Two Sources of Religious Authority
Bible
study on Authority: Two sources of authority. |
|
Matt. 21:23-27
|
Two sources of religious authority - heaven and man.
|
|
God's doctrine is revealed in the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17; cf.
2 Jn. 9).
|
|
We cannot follow the doctrines of men, demons (Matt. 15:9; Col.
2:22; 1 Tim. 4:1 cf. 2 Cor. 11:31-15).
|
|
"Authority" defined: The Greek noun exousia (translated
"authority" in Matt. 21:23, 24, 27) comes from the Greek
verb exesti meaning "it is right, lawful." Therefore,
"authority" is the power to command what is right, lawful.
Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28:18).
|
|
A person conducting himself according to Jesus' commands has authority
from Jesus for what he does (Col. 3:17). This person's authority
is from heaven.
|
|
A person not conducting himself according to Jesus' commands does
not have authority from Jesus. This person's authority is from man.
|
|
Pr. 16:2, 25
|
The way that seems right to man results in eternal death.
|
|
Man's thoughts and ways are different from God's (Is. 55:8-9).
Man cannot direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23). We must go to God's
word to know His ways (Rom. 10:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
|
|
Man is incapable of discerning the truth without God (Gen. 37:31-34;
45:26).
|
|
Saul lived in good conscience and sinned (Acts 23:1; 22:1-5). We
can live in good conscience and be living in sin.
|
|
Our faith cannot be in human wisdom (1 Cor. 2:5; cf. Rom. 1:16;
10:17; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
|
|
We must avoid worldly wisdom (1 Cor. 3:18-23; cf. 1 Cor. 4:6).
|
|
Most people will not go to heaven (Matt. 7:13-14; cf. 1 Pet. 3:20).
|
|
Parents are not a safe guide to salvation. We must love Jesus more
than family (Matt. 10:37). Paul persecuted the church when living
according to his fathers' traditions (Gal. 1:13-16).
|
| Heb. 7:12 |
God changed the law. The Old Testament is not authoritative today,
but it is for our learning (Rom. 15:4; cf. Gal. 3:24-25).
|
|
We must hear Jesus, not Moses (Heb. 1:1-2).
|
|
The old covenant (Ten Commandments) has been replaced with a new
covenant (Heb. 8:8-9; 1 Ki. 8:9, 21). The Ten Commandments are a
ministry of death (2 Cor. 3:1-8).
|
|
Anyone who tries to keep the Mosaic Law lives under the curse to
keep the whole law (Gal. 3:10) and is not justified before God (Gal.
3:11).
|
|
If we can be saved by the Old Testament, Christ died in vain (Gal.
2:21).
|
| Gal. 6:2; 1 Cor. 9:21 |
We must obey Christ's law (cf. Heb. 5:9; 2 Jn. 9).
|
|
Christ has all authority (Matt. 28:18). Jesus is God (1 Jn. 1:1).
God (Father) is not subject to Christ (1 Cor. 15:27-28).
|
|
Jesus is our Creator and Sustainor of the creation (Jn. 1:3; Col.
1:16-17; Heb. 1:3). He has the right to rule; therefore, we must
do all by His authority (Col. 3:17).
|
|
We must hear and obey Jesus (Heb. 1:1-2; 5:9).
|
|
Everyone who does not obey Christ's gospel will be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord (2 Th. 1:8-10).
|
|
Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18
|
Jesus is Head of the church. All things are under His feet (1 Tim.
6:15; Rev. 19:16).
|
|
Jesus purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
|
|
The church is subject to Christ (Eph. 5:24). Everything must be
done by His authority (Col. 3:17).
|
|
Any worship not according to His authority is vain (Matt. 15:8-9).
|
