BIBLE AUTHORITY - LESSON 9

TAKE A QUIZ

Is the Word of God the only authority to be accepted in religion? Yes No

Sometimes it is necessary to enter into a study about Bible authority. We do this because most folks with whom we study have accepted the idea that tradition, denominational authority and human opinion are acceptable standards in determining religious practice. They have been taught that they need something in addition to the Bible. In a previous series we marked a “route” showing that we could understand the Bible, now we want to demonstrate that the Word of God is the only authority to be accepted in religion.

MATTHEW 21:23-27

23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it 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 man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

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COMMENTARY

Jesus identifies that there are only two sources of authority in religion: God or man. Only divine authority is true authority. His question concerning John’s baptism succeeded in exposing these men who give only lip service to the concept of respecting divine authority in religion. Many today are just like them. They profess their respect for the Bible, but when asked for the passage that authorizes many of the practices they observe their silence is deafening. Where do we get our authority for what we do in religion?

1/14

MATTHEW 15:7–9

7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

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COMMENTARY

Jesus condemns elevating human opinion and tradition to a status equal to or above divine law. Jesus pronounces judgment on such calling it hypocrisy, rebellion and vanity. We should learn that we must respect what God has appointed in religion. Failure to do so makes our religion ineffectual and an abomination to God.

2/14

I CORINTHIANS 15:27

27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.

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COMMENTARY

Supreme, or ultimate authority resides in God, the Father. He is the first link in the “chain of authority.” There is no authority higher or equal to that which He has. All other authority is derived from Him.

3/14

MATTHEW 28:18–20

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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COMMENTARY

Once the Father raised Jesus from the dead He gave him all authority over all things as the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s. The Father is not subject to Christ, but everyone and everything else is.

4/14

EPHESIANS 1:19–23

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

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COMMENTARY

This text specifically attributes to Jesus authority in all things respecting the Church of Christ. It is His prerogative by the authority given Him of the Father to rule over the Church––work, worship, organization, terms of membership, etc. There is nothing respecting the Church that is under human jurisdiction.

5/14

JOHN 16:13–16

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”

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COMMENTARY

Jesus assigned the Holy Spirit the responsibility of revealing His Truth to men––not some of it, but all of it (cf. John 14:26; 15:26–27). Thus, whatever is regarded as authoritative in religion must come through the Holy Sprit to the Apostles.

6/14

MATTHEW 19:27–28

27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

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COMMENTARY

The period of the Apostle’s authority was “the regeneration,” that is, “the new birth,” which is, of course, the Church age (cf. John 3:5; Titus. 3:5; 1 Peter 1:22–23).

7/14

I CORINTHIANS 4:17

17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

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COMMENTARY

The authority of the Apostles extended to all the Churches (I Corinthians 7:17).

8/14

I CORINTHIANS 14:37

37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

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COMMENTARY

The authority inheres in the written word also.

9/14

II JOHN 9-11

9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

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COMMENTARY

Acting contrary to and without the authority of the written word, results in sin and a loss of fellowship with God. To encourage or uphold those who act contrary to biblical authority is to be complicit in their sin.

10/14

1 CORINTHIANS 4:6

6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

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COMMENTARY

The person who goes beyond the Word, or “the things which are written” (ASV) is condemned and so is he “who thinks more highly of men than he ought” (KJV). We must let the Word of God be our only guide.

11/14

1 PETER 4:11

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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COMMENTARY

We are admonished not to go further than the word but to speak as the oracles of God. This can be done only by abiding in the Word of God.

12/14

GALATIANS 1:6-10

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

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COMMENTARY

The anathema of God rests upon any man or angel that would change or alter the words of Christ. We cannot be Christ’s servants if we alter that word to please men.

13/14

ACTS 2:42

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

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COMMENTARY

The Church of Christ continues steadfastly in “the Apostles doctrine” because it, and it alone, contains the authority of heaven for all faith and practice.

14/14

Completed!

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