Must Apostolic Writings Be Obeyed? Are Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels to be obeyed?

Jesus promised to give His apostles authoritative binding and releasing. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 18:18)

The communication of His authority was assured by Holy Spirit guidance. “… no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet. 1:21) “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come” (John 16:13)

The communication of His authority was assured by Holy Spirit guidance. Paul received the revelation of truth by the Spirit (Acts 9:17). “… the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12) Ephesians 3:3-5; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13

Many men have a personal agenda which rejects God’s righteousness. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,…” (1 Cor. 6:9) “The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves,…” (1 Cor. 14:34)

Many men have a personal agenda which rejects God’s righteousness. “… dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thess. 1:8) “But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless. . . . You see that a man is justified by works and not be faith alone” (Jam. 2:20, 24)

Many men have a personal agenda which rejects God’s righteousness. “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Pet. 4:3)

What is revealed in the New Testament epistles is to be obeyed. “… when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (1 Thess. 2:13) Apostle Peter (2 Peter 3:1-2) Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:37) Hold fast to what has been written (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6)