A Study of Authority

Lesson 2

“And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48).

 The Need for Authority As Revealed in the New Testament

 Jesus Recognized and Taught the Need of Authority

•Workers of Iniquity will be rejected

•Iniquity – Lawlessness

 Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'  23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' 

Matthew 13:41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,

2 Thessalonians 2:7  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work;

Matthew 7:24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man

Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?

The Apostles Taught the Need of Authority

•The Appeal for Unity

•Unity comes only through adapting the same standard (all speaking the same thing)

•Examples:  Weights and Measures

Philippians 3:16    let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

1 Corinthians 1:10  that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you,

Colossians 3:17  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord

1 Corinthians 4:6 …not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

2 John 9-11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

Revelation 22:18-19  If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life,

Conclusion

In this lesson we have:

§Seen that both the Lord and the Apostles taught the need for Authority

§Shown that those who scorn the need for authority overlook a basic principle taught in God’s word regarding our relationship with God

§Shown the need to recognize that our standing with God depends upon our accepting and obeying His word.

Questions

Lesson 2

The Need for Authority as Revealed in the New Testament

Question 1

ØDefine Iniquity.  What will be done with those who practice iniquity?

Question 2

ØIs it enough for a man to do what he does in the name of Jesus?  That is, if it is a good work, and I am doing it for God, does that make it acceptable in and of itself?

Question 3

ØIs it “unity” if we all get along despite differences?  The “non-denominational” concept is to accept anyone, regardless of conviction.  Is this a Biblical principle?

Question 4

ØPaul, in 1 Corinthians 4:6, said they had established to the Corinthians that we are not to “not to think beyond what is written.”  What does this mean?

 Question 5

ØDo we have the right for any reason (culture, greater enlightenment, new knowledge) to modify in any way the word of God?  (cf. Revelation 22:18-19).