Religious Authority

Paul Clements
Years ago, Gospel Preacher L.E. Wishum wrote an article entitled, “Shall We Be Circumcised, Build an Ark or Be Baptized?” In the article, brother Wishum presented the idea that we must learn to rightly divide the Bible, understanding that we do not live in the Patriarchal Age, and neither are we under the Jewish Law. The things God commanded during those two dispensations are not applicable to us today.
So, where do we turn for authority for what we do in religion? It is not to the church itself. The church cannot determine doctrines and practices for the members. Neither are we guided by traditions, whether written or unwritten. Men or women who claim to have received a revelation cannot be the authority when what they have espoused is contrary to the Bible. Such additional “revelation” or “inspiration” would contradict the truth that the sacred writings are all we need, able to furnish us completely unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:14-17). The Word of God does not leave us to wonder. We are subject to the New Covenant of Jesus Christ.
The Christian Age began with the death of Christ and will continue until the end of time. The first four books of the New Testament record the preparation for the coming of the Christian dispensation. The Book of Acts tells of the beginning of this age, the Gospel being preached, the church being established and the saved being added to the church by the Lord, based on their obedience. The remainder of the New Testament gives instruction to the church of our Lord.
Religious authority rests in or with God (Psalm 90:1-2). Because He created all things, He would have the authority over all things (Hebrews 3:4). Because He is “the Almighty God,” He has authority over mankind (Genesis 17:1). This authority God gave to His Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:1-2; Matthew 28:18). Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus spoke for God (John 8:26-29; Hebrews 1:1-2). As God said from heaven, “This is my beloved son… hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5).
The apostles were instructed to teach men “…to observe all things” that Jesus had commanded (Matthew 28:20). All we do must be by the authority of Jesus (Colossians 3:17). Jesus gave the apostles words He received from God (John 17:8, 14). He had told the apostles He would soon depart this earth but that He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to bring to their remembrance all that He had said, and that the Holy Spirit would guide them (the apostles) into all truth (John 14:26; 16:13).
Since the words written by the sacred writers of the New Testament were inspired by the Holy Spirit (deity), then it implies the authority of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). It also means we need nothing more or less than God’s Word, the Bible, to guide us in all things

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