A Study of Authority

Lesson 3 The Source of Authority  (what it isn’t) 

“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).

 Definition – Authority  Greek Exousia

Vine:  “The power of authority, the right to exercise power… the power of rule or government… the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others.” (page 89).

Thayer: “The power of authority and of right… the power of rule or      government”

 Matthew 21:23  Shows the importance of the SOURCE of authority

 A Caution… Some things in religion are accepted as authoritative without consideration being given to the source from which it is derived. We not only must have authority, we must have authority that comes from the right source!

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not…

•The Doctrine or Practices of the O.T.

•(Tithing; Instrumental Music; Infant membership; Polygamy)

•Old Testament a shadow & removed

Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come can never with these same sacrifices make those who approach perfect.

Colossians 2:13-15 Wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Ephesians 2:14-16  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not…

2 Timothy 4:1-2 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not…

•Creeds of Men

•Practically every denomination has its manual, discipline, prayer book, or book of minutes which contain its peculiar doctrines.

•These are not as well respected today as in the past, but trends are cyclical (age of tolerance)

•We cannot please God by accepting creeds of men

•Matthew 15:8-These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.  9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

Colossians 2:20-22 do you subject yourselves to regulations —  21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," which all concern things which perish with the using — according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Exodus 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him,"Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."

1 Samuel 8:4-7  for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me

1 Samuel 15: 24I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not…

•Elders of a Local Church

•They are to tend the flock, and exercise oversight but are under the authority of the chief shepherd

•They have no legislative authority in the faith

•Would Inst. Music be authorized if OK’d by elders? 

•1 Peter 5:1-4

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not…

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!

Conclusion

In this lesson we have:

§Established the need for authority, and that authority must come from the proper source

§That the proper source is NOT

§The Old Testament

§What the Preachers say

§Creeds of Men

§Desires of the Congregation

§Elders of the Local Church

§The Results Accomplished

Questions

Lesson 3

The Source of Authority

(What It Isn’t)

Question 1

ØExplain why we are no longer under the authority of the Old Testament.  If this is so, what purpose does the Old Testament serve?

Question 2

ØIs there anything peculiar about preachers, each claiming to be called by God, and yet preaching different doctrines?

Question 3

ØExplain why man-made creeds are unacceptable to God?

Question 4

ØDoes each denomination have the right to vote on what it will believe and practice (ex: accepting homosexuals, women as clergy, etc.)?  If not, why not?

Question 5

ØIs it sufficient to say, “The Lord is blessing our works, so what we do is acceptable to Him.” (i.e. – the end justifies the means)?