2. “By What Authority?”
Matthew 21:23-27

3. What is Authority?
“the power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions” (Webster’s).
Authority is the right to tell one what to do, the right to expect them to do it, and the right to punish them if they don’t.
“For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (Matt. 8:9).

4. Authority in Religion is Essential
The Nature of God Necessitates It
Gen. 1:1; Rom. 9:20-21
The Nature of Man Requires It
Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12
To Avoid Chaos
Judges 21:25
For Our Salvation
Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9; Luke 6:46

5. Improper Sources of Authority
Themselves - Jer. 10:23; Judges 21:25
Creeds of Men - Matt. 15:9; Col. 2:20-22
Desires of Congregation - Rom. 3:4
Old Testament - Col. 2:14; Rom. 15:4
What Preacher Says - 2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 17:11
What Elders Say - Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2, 4
Results Accomplished

6. Improper Sources of Authority
Themselves - Jer. 10:23; Judges 21:25
Creeds of Men - Matt. 15:9; Col. 2:20-22
Desires of Congregation - Rom. 3:4
Old Testament - Col. 2:14; Rom. 15:4
What Preacher Says - 2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 17:11
What Elders Say - Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2, 4
Results Accomplished
Right things can be done in a wrong (unauthorized) way:
Cain’s sacrifice (Gen. 4:3-5).
Nadab and Abihu’s fire (Lev. 10:1-2).
David moving the ark (2 Sam. 6:1-11).
King Uzzah burning incense (2 Chron. 26:16-20).

7. Proper Source of Religious Authority

8. Proper Source of Religious Authority
God has all authority

9. Proper Source of Religious Authority
God has all authority
Christ given all authority - Mt. 28:18; Heb. 1:1-2

10. Proper Source of Religious Authority
God has all authority
Christ given all authority - Mt. 28:18; Heb. 1:1-2
Apostles given Holy Spirit - John 16:12-13

11. Proper Source of Religious Authority
God has all authority
Christ given all authority - Mt. 28:18; Heb. 1:1-2
Apostles given Holy Spirit - John 16:12-13
Inspired men wrote the NT - 2 Tim. 3:16