Authority Within Religion
INTRODUCTION.
A. To many people in the world, religion is a “buffet” wherein you can pick and choose what you want to believe and who you want to follow.
1. If a church is too strict, then just pick another church.
2. If a church is too “dull,” then find a more exciting church.
3. If a church is too liberal, then look for a stricter church.
4. If you want to get a divorce and your church doesn’t allow it, then find one that does.
5. If your church’s preacher is preaching less about love and more about what not to do, then find another church whose preacher preaches only on love and kindness.
B. Is the church built by Jesus such a religious “buffet”?
1. If yes, then Jesus built a church that is divided into differing religions with differing beliefs.
2. If yes, then Jesus built a church that is so soft and flexible that as long as you believe in Jesus, you can basically do anything you desire.
3. If yes, then Jesus built a church and put man, with all his whelms, fancies, and desires, in charge.
C. A careful study through the New Testament reveals that Jesus built a church with only body, one Spirit, one hope of calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
D. The key to ridding ourselves of this religious confusion is to recognize the true source of authority in religion and to follow that authority.
E. With this lesson, we will examine the subject of authority within religion and answer the question regarding who is in authority and whose authority we must follow.
I. CONFUSION REGARDING AUTHORITY IN RELIGION.
A. Many religions say that they follow the Bible. This is our claim as well. However, the evidence of their teachings and practices show these religions also appeal to man as authority.
1. The Catholic religion appeals to the authority of the Pope as well as tradition.
2. The Mormon religion appeal the book of Mormon, the writings of Joseph Smith, and the “latter day revelations” of their President and Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley.
3. The Jehovah Witnesses appeal to the oversight of the Watch Tower Society.
4. Some religions appeal to the their creed books, theologies, and their founders “interpretation” of Biblical teachings.
5. Some religions will make doctrine based upon votes at conventions, leadership conferences, etc.
B. When religion is guided and directed my man, there is confusion. Let us move past man made religions and councils of men and appeal to the true source of authority: Jesus Christ.
II. JESUS POSSESSES ALL AUTHORITY.
A. Jesus, the Word, has always possessed authority. (John 1:1-5, 14)
B. While Jesus was on this earth, His teachings were His Father’s teachings. (John 5:24-30)
C. After Jesus’s death, He stated that all authority had been given to Him. (Matthew 28:18)
D. Jesus is currently reigning over His kingdom. (1 Corinthians 15:24-26)
E. Jesus is the head of the church. (Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 1:15-18)
III. JESUS DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO HIS APOSTLES.
A. Before Jesus left, He gave authority to His apostles, who, would be responsible for continuing to teach His word to the saints after His departure. (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18)
B. Jesus promised the aid of the Holy Spirit to His apostles. (John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:12-15)
IV. JESUS DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO THE ELDERS (BISHOPS) OVER A LOCAL CHURCH.
A. Jesus, through the teachings of the apostles, delegated authority to the elders of the local church. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
1. The elders are to rule over the flock which is among them. (1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17)
2. The elders are to teach or feed the flock which is among them. (Acts 20:28)
B. Although the elders have delegated authority, they are not to exceed Jesus’s authority as laid forth in the scriptures.
V. RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY IS FOUND IN THE COMPLETED WORD OF GOD.
A. Through the Bible, the Lord has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:2-4)
B. Through the Bible, the Lord has given us the faith once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3)
C. Through the Bible, the Lord has given us what we need to be equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
D. Abiding by the Word of God means that we do not go beyond God’s written word.
1. We must neither add to nor take away from God’s word. (Revelation 22:18-19)
2. We must speak as the oracles of God. (1 Peter 4:11)
VI. ALL OTHER AUTHORITIES IN RELIGION HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED.
A. We must beware of those who would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-9)
B. Consider the following facts:
1. The Bible contains no record of the apostles passing along their apostolic authority.
2. The Bible contains no record of Jesus granting this delegated religious authority to anyone else.
3. Jesus is the only head of the church.
4. Since the first century, men have been left with the written word of God.
5. To claim that latter day revelations are needed is to claim that the authority of the apostles and the word Jesus gave to them was incomplete.
C. All “religious leaders” must limit their teachings to only that which is contained in the scriptures.
D. We must honor the silence of the scriptures by not adding to God’s wonderful word.
CONCLUSION.
A. Every person should have a respect for the written word of God and the authority contained therein.
1. In our personal lives, we must respect what the Bible specifically commands and expressly forbids.
2. In our personal lives, we must respect those general principles of love, faithfulness, obedience, justice, forgiveness, etc. taught in God’s word.
3. In matters pertaining to the church, we must respect what is contained in God’s word. We must work to make sure the local churches today work and function just as they did in the first century.
4. In matters pertaining to the church, we must respect the worship as taught within God’s Word.
B. There are many religious groups, beliefs, followings, etc. We must use the Bible to filter out man made religions. Let us follow only the Word of God.
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Authority Within Religion -- March 13, 2005 -- File # 154 - Authority
by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK