… the power to tell what is and what is to come – the right to instruct and command, expecting and holding men accountable to obey

“But these things have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

New Testament Epistles Are From The Lord

Apostles and prophets were divinely chosen to communicate the truth. Jesus chose His apostles (Mark 3:13-19; Matthew 10:1-4; Acts 9:3-6, 15; 1 Timothy 1:12). He gave them authority to preach and do miracles. “And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14)

Apostles and prophets were divinely chosen to communicate the truth. “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal…” (Matt. 10:1) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them…, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matt. 28:19, 20) “…he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and sons of Israel” (Acts 9:15)

Apostles and prophets were divinely chosen to communicate the truth. He gave apostles authority to preach and do miracles. He chose prophets to be part of revealing the mystery of Christ. “…in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit” (Eph. 3:5) Ephesians 4:11, 12

God’s truth was preserved by the work of the Holy Spirit. “…the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you… He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His initiative but whatever He hears, He will speak” (John 14:26; 16:13) 1 Corinthians 2:4, 9

God’s truth was preserved by the work of the Holy Spirit. “But to us God revealed them through the Spirit; …Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:10, 12, 13)

Epistles communicate the authority of our Lord that is to be adhered. Jesus gave authority to His apostles and empowered His prophets. Commands they proclaimed were already bound and loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19; 18:18) Critics attacked Paul’s work: Repeatedly he introduced himself in writing as Christ’s apostle (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:1).

Epistles communicate the authority of our Lord that is to be adhered. Critics attacked Paul’s work: What he taught/commanded, he received from the Lord (1 Cor. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. 1:12). What he wrote was the Lord’s command- ment – not Paul’s, nor any man’s (1 Cor. 14:23). Apostolic traditions are to be soberly imitated (1 Cor. 4:17; 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6).