Authority, instituted by God, is necessary to rule a nation. Since 1776, the Constitution has governed Americans, guaranteeing freedoms of inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Over the last few months, the authoritarian mindset of political leaders, health officials, Big Tech, and elites has attempted to alter those freedoms.
In welcoming contrast, the perfect authority of God brings a joyful response, offering privileges and liberties and guidance from a loving, powerful God. On the other hand, the abuse of power of human leaders leads to losing individual rights and freedoms.
Professor of Theology Richard Mayhue says, “The rightful idea of authority has fallen on hard times at the start of the twenty-first century. Illegitimate forms and expressions of authority range from the illegal and abusive exercise of authoritarianism/totalitarianism to individual authority which emerges from a postmodern mindset of selfishness” (Richard Mayhue, The Authority of Scripture, Fall 2004)[i]
Jesus hadn’t been sanctioned or ordained by the religious officials. His incomparable authority healed the diseased, opened blind eyes, caused the crippled to walk, and the dead raised to life.
Jesus taught with absolute authority, quite unlike the teachers of religious law (The New International Version Matthew 7:29). His authority brought the ire of the religious leaders, priests, and Romans. The religious elite knew of God and the prophecies of the Messiah. Yet, they could not see who Jesus was, although He was right there, standing in front of them, God in the flesh. They asked. “By what authority are you doing these things?” and, “Who gave you this authority?“ (Matthew 21:23).
In contrast to their unbelief, the Gospel writer Matthew, a despised tax collector, got up from his tax business and left all to follow Jesus, the Divine Authority. Matthew saw firsthand the miracles of healings, multiplication of bread and fish, and the calming of the storm. He witnessed the death of Jesus on the cross and experienced the resurrection. Matthew knew authentic authority and saw it fully in Jesus. Thoroughly convinced, Matthew boldly penned the words of Jesus, “All” authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:19).
AUTHORITY DEFINED
The dictionary defines authority as “the power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.” The New Testament word for authority is ἐξουσία (exousia), “the power of whose will and commands must be submitted to and obeyed.”With Jesus’ sacrifice of death on the cross, the power of His resurrection, and the authority over all things in heaven and earth, Jesus became the supreme authority. Unrivaled. Unmatched. Irrevocable. Eternal.
Theologian and apologist Bernard Ramm describes authority as “that right or power to command action or compliance, determine belief or custom, expect obedience from those under authority, and give a responsible account for the claim to right or power” (The Pattern of Religious Authority, 1959, p 228).
“The Eternal Living Word of God and the Inspired Written Word are forever inseparable. The Bible is Christ portrayed; Christ is the Bible fulfilled. One is the picture, the other is the person, but the features are the same and proclaim their identity.” (Knowing The Scriptures, Rules and Methods of Bible Study, Arthur T. Pierson, p 33).
THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS AND SCRIPTURE
The Apostle Paul describes Jesus in deity and equal with the Father. He says,
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” Colossians 1:15-20.
The everlasting authority of Jesus was prophesied by the prophet Daniel wrote prophetically six hundred years before Jesus came to earth.
“He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14).
The Bible is consistently relevant to all human existence because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:9). Human nature hasn’t changed. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Every person needs the Savior, Jesus. Salvation is relevant today as much as it was in the Bible times. John Stott ties the connection of relevance when he states, “The modern world detests authority but worships relevance. Our Christian conviction is that the Bible has both authority and relevance and that the secret of both is Jesus Christ.“
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. Therefore, the Scripture has the power to call us to obey and serve the God who loved us first.
“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” (Mayhue, p 1).
Jesus and the Word of God are inseparable. We can never reach the end of knowing all there is to know about Jesus, nor the Bible. Yet, we can study, learn, and grow in knowledge. The Bible “belongs to a superhuman level that our investigation of it never reaches its limit of discovery” (Pierson, p 27).
In our relationship with God as Savior and Lord, our love grows deeper and stronger with study in the Holy Word of God. The love we hold for God is strengthened by the love of God’s Word. As Pierson states, “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” (p 28). Therefore, as we submit to loving Jesus, we submit to loving His Word.
How has God’s authority influenced your life?
Continue to Part 2, Jesus Has All Authority, but Does the Scripture?
___________________________
[1] http://storage.cloversites.com/stpeterlutheranchurch1/documents/AUTHORITY%20of%20Scripture.pdf
Discover more from God Secrets That Impart Life!
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.