The study of Christianity must include the meaning of
authority. Who is the source of authority? How is this authority revealed to
man?
God, in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, the
creator of the universe (please read John 1:1-3) is the supreme authority. The
epistle of Hebrews tells us: "In the past God spoke to our forefathers
through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days
he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and
through whom he made the universe." (Hebrews 1:1, 2)
Many years before God sent His Son the people of the
earth honored God as being holy by accepting the authority of Moses and the
prophets. Today God reveals His will to us through His Son.
The apostle
"While he was still speaking, a bright cloud
enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, `This
is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!'" (
We are to let Jesus tell us how to live. Our Lord gave
such a command during His lifetime. After His death and resurrection, His
authority took the place of Moses and the prophets. Please read Galatians 3:19;
24-25; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8:7-13; 10:9, 10.
The Old Testament commands were delivered to the
Jewish nation and carry examples for our learning. Read I
Corinthians 10:1-6.
The instruction of our Lord are contained in the 27
documents we call the New Testament scriptures. It is essential that we give
heed to these inspired words. Luke
Read carefully John 7:16; 17:4, 8.
God is the source of all religious authority. He gave
this authority to His Son. Jesus said: "All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me." (
Since all authority is given to our Lord, we must not
accept anyone or anything that does not agree with Him. The 27 New Testament
books contain what Jesus wants us to do to be saved and live the Christian
life. Please read John 6:68, 69; 17:3; 2 Peter 1:3.
The supreme authority of Jesus Christ is shown by the superior
place given Him by our Heavenly Father. The apostle Paul writes,
"Which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated
him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority,
power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present
age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and
appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the
fullness of him who fills everything in every way." (Ephesians 1:19-23)
Read Philippians 2:8-11; Colossians 2:9, 10; I Peter
3:22. The New Testament scriptures present Jesus Christ as Divine (John 1:1);
Prophet (Acts
As we have read in Luke
To these men Jesus said: "But you will receive
power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in
The apostle Paul wrote,
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though
God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be
reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)
John, speaking of himself, and all the other apostles,
declared,
"We are from God, and whoever knows God listens
to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we
recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." (I John 4:6)
Read I John 1:1-4.
The person who accepts the authority of Jesus Christ
will also accept the New Testament teachings, which came through the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Before He left the earth to return to His
Father in heaven, the Lord promised to send to His apostles the Holy Spirit.
Why? To bear witness
of Jesus Christ and instruct them in His teachings and authority so that they
could proclaim Him and His teachings to men (John
Men who claim a special revelation from the Holy
Spirit, but whose teachings are contrary to the gospel of Christ, are fakes.
All the revelation given by inspiration through the Holy Spirit is included in
the New Testament scriptures. In the New Testament Jesus reveals His authority
to us. Those persons who teach and do that which the Bible does not authorize
or approve are without Christ. John explains, "Anyone who runs ahead and does
not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues
in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9)
Because Jesus Christ is the supreme authority in
religion and the Savior of men, we must go to His teachings to learn what we
must do to be saved. Before Jesus
returned to heaven after His death and resurrection He gave to His apostles the
"great commission," which reveals the terms of salvation through
Christ. Three records are given of this commission:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age." (
"Go into all the world
and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will
be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark
"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins
will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at
These
words indicate that one must believe in Christ, repent of sins, and be baptized
in order to receive salvation in the Lord. The following lessons will explain
these steps. Men have salvation in Christ only when they submit to His will. To
reject any part of His teaching is to reject the authority of Christ.
Jesus Christ, first authority in life, will
also be the first authority in the day of judgment.
"For as the Father has life in
himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is
the Son of Man." (John 5:26, 27)
Each person's life will be judged by the teachings of
Christ. Jesus said,
"There is a judge for the one who rejects me and
does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the
last day." (John 12:48)
Therefore, we must be certain that we fully submit
ourselves to His authority. Jesus the
Son of God and supreme authority in Christianity gives a loving and tender
invitation for all people to come to Him for salvation:
"Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For
my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (