JESUS HAS ALL AUTHORITY, BUT DOES THE SCRIPTURE? PART 2

All authority in heaven and earth is given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18). Not some, but ALL! 

Jesus carried the authority of deity, being fully God and fully man. God the Father was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Jesus (Colossians 1:19). Jesus claimed that authority when He stated, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30; John 17:21).

Jesus’ powerful authority distinguished him from the teachers of the law and prophets. And, in this same passage, demons, under the control and power of Satan, are subject to the authority of Jesus.

Luke’s gospel gives this account: “Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day.  There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

 Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—cried out, shouting,  ‘Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’

 But Jesus reprimanded him. ‘Be quiet! Come out of the man,’ he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further. Amazed, the people exclaimed, ‘What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!’ “ (The New International Version, Luke 4:31-36).

We hold in our hands the precious gift of God’s Word. This Word carries the authority of Jesus within its pages with words, chapters and books, inspired divinely by God. His authority threads through the pages of Scripture with an unbreakable strand. Therefore, the Scripture has the power to call us to obey and serve the God who loved us first.  

“The Bible belongs to a superhuman level that our investigation of it never reaches its limit of discovery” (Dr. Arthur T. Pierson, Knowing the Scriptures: Rules and Methods of Bible Study, p 27).

Jesus and the Word of God are inseparable. Therefore, as we submit to loving Jesus, we will be confident the love for the Word of God, our Bible, will help us love Jesus more and more.

JESUS AND THE BIBLE ARE ONE IN AUTHORITY

“Our Lord is found in the Word, in the letter; the Word is found in Him in the life” (Pierson, p 28).

Jesus cannot be separated from the Bible, and the Bible cannot be separated from Jesus. The Scriptures point to me and testify about me, Jesus. (John 5:39). They are ONE in authority, power, and purpose.

Dr. Pierson states, “In the volume of the Book, it is written of Me (Psalms 40:7). The Holy Scriptures and the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ are so inseparably bound together, that whatever impairs the integrity and authority of the one correspondingly affects the other. The written Word is the Living Word enfolded; the Living Word is the Written Word unfolded” (p 28).

Jesus responded to the Devil by quoting Scripture from the Old Testament; thus, emphasizing the integrity of every written word. Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

When we pay attention and note the importance of what was written from years ago, found in the Old Testament, we will “make our election and calling sure” (2 Peter 1:10). God’s finger wrote the tablets given to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 31:18). Then God spoke through the prophets about the life of Jesus. “And we have the word of the Prophets (that Jesus fulfilled) made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it” (2 Peter 1:19).

THE BIBLE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD

Regarding the inspiration of Scripture, Carl F.H. Henry states, “Inspiration is that supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit whereby the sacred writers were divinely supervised in their production of Scripture, being restrained from error and guided in the choice of words they used, consistently with their disparate personalities and stylistic peculiarities.”

A personal opinion wasn’t the source of the scriptures. The pages of Scripture were inspired or God-breathed. God breathed into Adam the breath of life. Similarly, God breathed into the Scriptures. That same breath of God connects the words with the Savior and becomes inseparable, divinely connected. Jesus and the Word are inseparable.

As I type, I’m aware of my breathing in and out. I’m alive!.  That same type of breath of life is found in each passage of Scripture, “For the word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12a). With that life comes transformation power.

TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF SCRIPTURE

Peter, an eye-witness to the Majesty of Jesus, urges faithful followers to grow in knowledge (epignosis), the actual, genuine knowledge about Jesus. Abiding in God’s Word is abiding in Jesus. Staying in the truth of Scripture is staying in the truth of Jesus. Time devoted to learning, studying, and memorizing Scripture renews the mind and transforms the old nature into a new, spiritual nature. This new self conforms to the likeness of God “in righteousness and holiness of the truth .”  

“Lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” ( Ephesians 4:22-24).

Praise the Lord! If we believe in God, His authority, and the transforming power of His Word, our behavior and conduct will reflect God’s righteousness. Choosing to conform my attitudes, morality, and lifestyle to God’s Word will alter my old nature and reconstruct and revolutionize my life into godliness.

ALIGNING MY FAITH AND CONDUCT WITH THE VOICE OF GOD IN SCRIPTURE

The Bible, the voice of God, is our rule of faith and conduct. Professor of Theology Mayhue[i] reminds us, “Because Scripture is the Word of God, the words of God are authoritative.”

God’s Word isn’t inferior to relativism or subjectivism. Authority through the Word is the ultimate, permanent, and obligatory authority given by God. Unchangeable. Eternal. Though worldly intellectual opinions, educated theories, so-called facts contradict God’s truth, they are no match for the validity of God’s Word, and Scripture remains valid. God’s Word doesn’t change with the norms and mores of society. God’s Word remains the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, our lifestyle, beliefs, values, and worldview align to God’s Word as our rule of faith and conduct.

When questioning a spiritual truth and wondering if it is accurate or confirmed, the search must end with Scripture. God’s truth is the ultimate truth. As our rule of faith and conduct, the Bible has the authority to tell us what is right and proper and how to live and grow in authentic faith.

The final decider of all truth rests in the pages of Scripture. A parishioner who had attended a neighboring church meeting asked my husband’s opinion on the fantastic things happening, one being the floating of angel feathers in the air, assumed to be from heaven. “Do you think that was really of God ?” John’s straightforward response was, “Where is that in the Bible?”

Paul warned the Galatian church to guard against anyone, even an angel from heaven, who preaches another (counterfeit) gospel. They will be under God’s curse (Galatians 1:8). We are to “test the spirits” to see if they are of God (1 John 4:1) and, to do so, we must know the clear teaching of Scripture. Jesus commended the Berean Jews for their careful examination of the Scriptures, “They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth” ( Acts 17:10-11).

Jesus clearly stated the revelation of Jesus Christ, recorded in the Bible, is complete, and nothing should be added to it or taken away from it (Rev. 22:18-19). We are called to make every effort to be diligent in presenting ourselves approved to God, as a worker who correctly handles the word of truth, and therefore, is not ashamed before God (2 Tim 2:15). A truth-seeker will find the Truth. And with that truth, we will choose to give our lives in obedience.

OBEDIENCE IS NOT BURDENSOME

It’s easy to obey someone who truly loves you. The Bible contains God’s laws and commands–rules of life that give success—from the loving heart of God. When we align our faith and conduct to God’s Word, we experience the vast, deep, expansive love of God. The Scripture reminds us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“Scripture is to be authoritatively preached and submissively obeyed since the Author of and the authority within will reward righteous obedience and condemn those who disregard and disobey His authority in Scripture.”

Richard Mayhue

We can see God’s visible love through Jesus – his coming to earth, his great sacrifice on the cross, the power of his resurrection, and His ascension in glory. It’s easy to obey someone who loves you fully and has your best interest at heart!

“For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey]” (1 John 5:3 Amplified Bible).

REST IN THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS AND WORD

When we worry about the direction of our world,  political rulers, evil powers, and immoral society,  we should pray. God has a plan, not only for here and now but for eternity. God knows the end of life from the beginning and is on the Throne. We stand confidently in the authority of Scripture and the truth of God’s love. Abraham Lincoln said, “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”  That right place is found in the Word of God, our rule of faith and conduct.

Though other politicians, health officials, Big Tech, and others try to dictate what we can do, where we can go, or censor our thoughts, we can depend on the one Authority that loves us and has our best interest at heart.  

Jesus gave us a significant example regarding human authority. Scriptures verify this truth; God judges and brings one down and exalts another (Psalm 75:7). He removes kings and sets up kings (Dan 2:21). “Pilate said. ‘Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?'” Jesus answered, ‘You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you'” John 19:10,11.

Jesus has all authority, and His authority continues through the pages of our Bibles.

WHOSE AUTHORITY GUIDES MY LIFE?

A good question to ask when seeking truth relies on the authority of Scripture, “Where is that in the Bible?” Whose authority guides my life? Do I listen more to politicians than to Scripture? Do I believe or give more time to what I hear in the media than what I read in the Bible? Is my life aligned with the commands and principles from God more than with the world’s views and opinions? Do I live in fear instead of in the promises of God’s Word? An unknown author penned these beautiful words:

This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation,

the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its

decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer

you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the

soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.

Here heaven is opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its

end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.

It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, and a river of pleasure.

It is given to you here in this life, will be opened at the Judgment, and is

established forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the most significant labor, and

condemn all who trifle with its contents. (Unknown author)

Will you join me in seeking to know the truth of Scripture and the truth of Jesus (I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life)? Will you, with me, allow God’s authoritative Word to be our rule of faith and conduct? Then we will know, not the authority that is short-lived by the world’s authority, but the God-given freedoms and blessings from One who has “all” authority in heaven and on earth.

Jesus said to the Jew who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

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[i] http://storage.cloversites.com/stpeterlutheranchurch1/documents/AUTHORITY%20of%20Scripture.pdf