The chief priests, scribes, and elders asked Jesus, "By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?" (Mark 11:28) These men recognized the need for authority in religion. Jesus, with his reply, also recognized that there must be authority in religion. Jesus asked them, "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me." (Mark 11:30)
With this answer, Jesus identified the only two sources of authority in religion: Heaven (God) or men. Only one of these has the right to grant such authority, as identified by the Apostle Peter in Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men."
Though Jesus declined to answer those men who sought to cause him difficulty, he did later answer the question that they asked him.
In Luke 10:22 Jesus made the statement, "All things are delivered to me of my Father…" In Matthew 28:18 (ASV) Jesus said, "All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth."
We see, then, that Jesus had authority from God to rule over both heaven and Earth. We are told in Hebrews 1:1-2 that, "God…Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…" These last days would refer to the time when we are under Christ’s covenant. God has chosen to reveal his word through Jesus, to whom all authority has been given.
Jesus also spoke of another that he would send after he left the Earth to return to Heaven. In John 16:13-14, Jesus told his disciples, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." We find here that Jesus has promised that he would send the spirit to "guide you into all truth." Remember, it was his disciples that Jesus was speaking to. Jesus had also warned these disciples that they would stand before governors and kings for Him. He told them, "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak." (Matthew 10:19)
These men would be inspired and would speak by the authority that Jesus gave them. In fact, Jesus told Peter, "…whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19) Those things taught by inspired men are, therefore, just as binding on us as those taught by Jesus.
Finally, the things that Jesus and his Disciples taught, by God’s authority, were written down for us. (I Corinthians 14:36-38, I Timothy 3:16-17) We are told that this written word "…was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3) This statement means "once for all time," not to be added to or changed. Paul said, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8) Let us, then, study the Word by which we have authority revealed from God.
May God bless you in your study of his Word.
Copyright 2006 Mance J. Davis Jr.
