(Edited from Al Shannon’s Post in “Biblical
Proof”)
Christians
only have ONE authority, and that is Jesus Christ. He has the right to order
and command. He said: All authority was given to him both in heaven and in
earth. (Matt. 28:18).
God has
the right to tell us what to do by virtue of the fact that he created us and
not we ourselves. (Ps 100:3) When man tries to become his own authority, then
he is acting according to the same evil desires with which Satan tempted Eve.
Eve rejected God’s authority when she entertained a second opinion. When we
seek ways to circumvent God’s laws we are committing the same sin Eve
committed.
Authority Needed In Life
Authority
is necessary in all aspects of life. Without it, there can only be anarchy and
chaos. Without authority in the home, children will never learn the discipline
needed to function in civilized society. Without authority in school, no one
will receive a proper education. Businesses can’t exist without someone in
charge because eventually no one will be productive. Without moral authority in
governments, people will turn to wickedness like abortion, homosexuality, and
adultery. Authority is needed everywhere. This is something that most people
freely recognize. Someone has to be able to call the shots, and say the buck
stops here.
Authority Needed in Religion
The need
for authority is especially seen in the religious world. The existence of
hundreds of denominations reveal this. The many divisions that exist, even
among God’s people, testify of the need for authority. Divisions and
denominations exist because people, at sometime, did not listen, and submit to
the authority of God. Instead, they became their own authority, and acted in
lawlessness.
“In those days there was no king in
Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25
The
nature of man requires authority. Man can’t even direct his own steps. (Jer.
10:23). Some deny that we need authority for all that we say, and do. When
people act or teach something without God’s authority, then they must look to
one of two things: (1) Themselves or (2) Others. Yet, the Bible condemns
looking to men as the source of authority (Jer. 10:23; Col. 2:20-22; Matt.
15:7-9; Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 4:6). Without God’s authority, we only have man’s
worthless opinion, which changes like the wind, shifting to and fro.
“That we should no longer be children,
tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the
head — Christ — from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what
every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part
does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
Eph 4:14-16
Humanism
teaches us that we do not need God to tell us what to do. However, if one
person can appeal to himself or another man for authority, then why can’t
another person do the same? Who is to say who is right or wrong? When men
contradict each other, how will the issues and questions be settled? Where else
can we appeal? Without God, confusion and every evil thing will exist in
society. Only division and evil will result. There is no way for us to be
united based on the authority of man. Only God’s Word can unite us, and keep us
united with the same mind and judgment. 1 Cor 1:10
Sadly, some are insisting that the pleas
for authority are legalistic, and
unnecessary. “The church must change with the times,” they say. Actually, all
who believe and espouse such nonsense are not rejecting us, but rejecting
Christ’s authority, and His Word. (Matt. 28:18; Jn. 12:48).
“And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken
unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not
rejected thee, but they have rejected
me, that I should not reign over them.” 1 Sam 8:7
A
standard of right and wrong is essential to mankind. Our Standard must be the
inspired Word of God (2
Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 10:14-16). Without the inspired Word of God, we
can’t know God’s will. This is why it is vital for us to seek for a genuine
Holy Spirit filled, God sent man-of-God who is appointed by God to teach and
preach out of the revelation of Holy Spirit and not out of religion’s
pre-translated text. “If anyone speaks,
let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11).
Mock it if you want, reject it if you
will, but only God’s Word comes with the Spirit and power of God.
“And my speech and my preaching were not
with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and
of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power
of God.” (1 Cor 2:4-5)
Nadab and Abihu Rejected God’s Authority
Many
examples given to us in the Old Testament testify to the need for acting with
authority (Rom. 15:4). Nadab and Abihu were condemned to death because they
acted in the silence of God. (Lev.
10:1-3). They used a strange fire which the Lord “had not commanded them”.
Perhaps they thought that they did not need authority. Many strange fires burn
on the Alter of Christianity today that God did not authorize. Unless they
repent, they too shall perish.
Jesus’ Authority
The
Pharisees questioned Jesus authority, and asked Jesus about his teaching and
works: “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this
authority?” Jesus didn’t say, “I don’t need any authority. You’re just being a
legalistic!” Jesus ultimately refused to answer them because they refused to
admit that John the Baptist preached with God’s Authority. This also reveals
that authority only has two sources: God or man. (Matt. 21:23-27)
Jesus
came with the power to heal the sick, raise the dead, and forgive sins. Even
they knew that no one could do such without God’s authority and power to do so.
Yet, they said, this man has a devil which gives him such authority. (Mt
12:23-28)
Jesus
eventually told them that he received his authority, and power from His
heavenly Father. But rejected this and crucified our Lord between two thieves.
When we reject God’s Word and it’s authority, we are rejecting Christ. (Jn
12:48)
Apostles Authority
All
Christians are to follow the Apostles’ doctrine which is One with the doctrine
of Christ. (Acts
2:42; 1 Cor 11:1) The apostles likewise taught the need for acting with
authority from God. We are to the endeavor for unity (Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 1:10).
The only way for unity to be maintained is through respect for God’s authority.
We must all follow the same standard and abide by it (Phil. 3:16). True
disciples of Jesus Christ abide in his word (Jn. 8:31,32). We must remain
within the confines of the revealed Word of God (1 Cor. 4:6). To go beyond the teachings
of Christ and His Apostles is a total disrespect for The Lord and will bring
destruction on whomever seeks to change God’s law. (2
John 9, Rev. 22:18-19).
Conclusion: The
Church is to be subject to Christ who is the head in everything (Eph.5:23,24).
Without question, the Scriptures teach us the need for acting with authority in
all that we do and teach. Let us never complain at God’s commands. Let us not
mock God’s preached and revealed Word. Instead, let us bring honor, and glory
to God by our full submission to his will. Let us remember we are the created
and not the creator. (Ps 100:3) Let us always remember: Christ is the “author
and finisher of our Faith and the author of eternal salvation to all who obey
him” (Heb. 5:9; Heb 12:2). Let us never forget, God always has the Last
Word. His Word is everlasting and
waiting to Judge us all. (John
12:48)
“4 There is one body and
one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all, who is over
everything, through everything, and in everything.” (Ephesians
4:4-6)
ONE
AUTHORITY!
“Wisdom”
Dear Father, we confess today that we lack the wisdom necessary to solve our problems or meet our needs. We need Your wisdom now. By Wisdom You made the heavens and founded the earth. Therefore, We are confident that You are able and that You will give us the wisdom necessary to resolve all of our issues and meet all of our needs. We want to know what to do and how to do it according to Your wisdom that our joy may be full and the desires of our hearts fulfilled. Empower us right now O Lord! Please impart to us the wisdom we so fervently desire that we might experience success in all of our endeavors. We thank You for not finding fault in us and we thank You for liberally giving us the wisdom we are asking for. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
