Study of Authority, Part I Matthew 28.18 “All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and in earth…” Matthew 21.23-27

Matthew 21.23-27 (Mat 21:23-27 NKJV) Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" {24} But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: {25} "The baptism of John; where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' {26} "But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet." {27} So they answered Jesus and said, "We do not know." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Study of Authority, Part I Need for authority is acknowledged in various fields: Home School Business But many (most) are not concerned with authority in religious matters

Study of Authority, Part I The word “authority” in text from Greek word EXOUSIA – meaning “lawful, the right to exercise power.” Matthew 9.6 “…the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…” 2 Cor. 10.8 “For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification…” John 17.2 “as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.”

Study of Authority, Part I The text (Matt. 21.23-27) shows two things: There is a definite need for authority in religion This authority must come from someone with the power to grant it

Study of Authority, Part I In Jesus’ answer, only two sources are mentioned: Heaven – divine Men – human, not divine

Need for Authority in Religion Some deny authority from God is needed for all that man does in religion: Look to themselves as authority Jeremiah 10.23 “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Prov. 14.12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

Need for Authority in Religion Some deny authority from God is needed for all that man does in religion: Or look to men… Col. 2.20-22 “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations; "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,“ which all concern things which perish with the using; according to the commandments and doctrines of men? Matthew 15.9 “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

Need for Authority in Religion Jesus recognized and taught the need for authority Workers of iniquity rejected Matt. 13.41-42 “"The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 "and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Need for Authority in Religion Jesus recognized and taught the need for authority Workers of iniquity rejected Matt. 7.21-23 “"Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?‘ 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Need for Authority in Religion By His apostles and prophets He foretold of apostasy: 2 Thess. 2.7 “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…” Acts 20.29-30 “"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Need for Authority in Religion And warned saints to keep to His authority: Col. 3.17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? The Old Testament? Polygamy, tithing, instrumental music, infant church membership…all require appealing to the OT Fail to see that OT was a “shadow” – Heb. 10.1

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? The Old Testament? Fail to understand it was removed at the cross of Christ Col. 2.14-16 “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? The Old Testament? Fail to understand it was removed at the cross of Christ Eph. 2.14-16 “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.”

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? The Old Testament? Some say only the ceremonial part of the Law was removed… Acts 15.5-10 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.“ 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 "So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 "and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (Only ceremonial???)

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? The Old Testament? Some say only the ceremonial part of the Law was removed… Galatians 3.15-29 (verses 24-25) Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (no mention of only “ceremonial”)

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? The Old Testament? Some say only the ceremonial part of the Law was removed… Galatians 5.3-6 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? The Old Testament? No.

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? Preachers? Many hold to the “pastor” system, and think the “pastor” has the final say in the local church. 2 Tim. 4.1-2 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? Preachers? No. Gal. 1.6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? Creeds of men? Some believe the Bible is like the US constitution, it needs amending from time to time. They think since times change, so should the Bible and religion. Matthew 24.35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” 2 Peter 1.3 His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness… 2 Tim. 3.16-17 All Scriptures is given by inspiration of God…

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? Desires of the congregation? Some think the church should vote on matters of faith, like church membership, salvation, etc. Israel voted to have a golden calf instead of God; was that God’s will and by God’s authority? (Ex. 32)

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? Christ is our Source of Authority today. He is God’s spokesman: Matt. 17.1-5 “This is My beloved Son, hear Him!” Heb. 1.1 All men required to hear Him: Deut. 18.18-19 “a Prophet like me” Acts 3.22-23 "For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 23 'And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.'

Where Is Our Authority to Come From? Christ is our Source of Authority today. All authority has been given to Him Matt. 28.18 1 Cor. 15.27 “He has put all things under His feet…” 1 Tim. 6.15 “which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Can it really be achieved? Unity of Christians Can it really be achieved? It teaches…

Why? The Bible Teaches… Otherwise no faith Hear the word… Only on the basis of the commandments of Scripture. We must accept its demands and submit to them. Romans 10.14-17

Why? The Bible Teaches… or be damned Believe… Only on the basis of the commandments of Scripture. We must accept its demands and submit to them. Mark 16.16; John 8.24; John 3.16

Why? The Bible Teaches… or perish Repent… Luke 13.3; Acts 17.30-31 Only on the basis of the commandments of Scripture. We must accept its demands and submit to them. Luke 13.3; Acts 17.30-31

Why? The Bible Teaches… or be denied Confess Christ… Only on the basis of the commandments of Scripture. We must accept its demands and submit to them. Matthew 10.32-33; Romans 10.9-10

or die outside of Christ and without forgiveness of sins The Bible Teaches… Why? or die outside of Christ and without forgiveness of sins Be baptized… Only on the basis of the commandments of Scripture. We must accept its demands and submit to them. Galatians 3.27; Romans 6.3-6; Acts 2.38; Mark 16.16