Authority in Religion (1)
FILING INFORMATION:
2000006
Subject: Authority
Preached Originally: 01/16/2000 – Rapid City,
SD
Introduction
A.
Jud. 17:6;
21:25 – Note condition of Israel during times of the judges.
1.
Idea: what ever feels good is OK.
2.
Where did
this lead them? What happened to
them b/c of their lack of desire to submit to authority?
3.
Have
persons in religion today who claim there is no pattern found in the Scriptures
that Christians need to go by.
a)
some: we
do many things for which we have no authority.
b)
Others: we don’t need authority for all that we do.
c)
This done
to justify all sorts of perversions in religion:
1) Be it IM; fellowship w/denominations, doing away of necessity of baptism, etc.
B. There needs to be a standard in religion – that standard being the Scriptures. Let us elevate it to the very forefront of all we say, practice, do in religion.
1.
in every
area of life – there = a need for a standard of authority.
2.
In order
to live w/others – there of necessity must be some kind of authoritative
standard.
a) what if all allowed to print their own version of money – how could deal w/each other?
b)
Impossible
to agree/exchange goods.
C. Reason why men divided religiously today is not b/c the Bible can’t be understood by all….
1.
all can
readily understand the Scriptures.
2.
Division
comes b/c every denomination recognizes & subscribes to a different
standard of religious authority.
D. Going to take a look tonight at authority in religion. Hope this lesson a benefit to you.
I. The Buck Stops Here.
A. Christ’s kingdom not a democracy. Authority is not derived form the citizens (Christians) in the kingdom. They do not have right to legislate/vote upon spiritual precepts/perspectives.
B.
Christ’s
kingdom not a aristocracy. Authority not located w/in a small ruling class in the church.
C.
The church
of Christ is an absolute monarchy.
1.
Mt. 28:18
– this authority given to Christ by God.
2.
Js. 4:12
3.
Christ =
ruler over His kingdom. His
authority involves His position. He is head of the church.
a)
Eph.
1:22-23; Col. 1:18
b)
God gave
Him to be the Head – b/c He has all authority in it.
D. Terms noting Christ’s authority:
1.
Christ
called our Lord.
a) Term “lord” denotes authority in itself. “Lord” used several instances in the NT in various relationships. (Slave; Abraham/Sarah.) Roman emperors called Lord to denote their authority.
b)
200 times
in NT we read terms such as: The Lord Jesus Christ; Christ Jesus the
Lord.
2.
Rev. 3:14
- Christ also referred to as “the Amen.” As the Amen – He has the final say in the kingdom.
a) He = the final truth.
b)
Amen is
the conclusion – the last word to which NOTHING can be added.
c)
it = the
certainty; ratification; finality of ultimate authority.
3.
as far as
can be determined: Christ has
never given any of His authority away – it all belongs to Him – thus leaving no authority for you
& me.
E. Jesus revealed His words through His teaching & the apostles.
1.
Jhn. 14:26
– promised the HS to the apostles.
2.
2 Cor.
5:19 – received His words.
3.
Apostles
obeyed the will/commands of authority – through His words they were
authorized to preach the gospel.
F. Elders, preachers, deacons, brethren, should all act/speak by the authority of Christ. ALL stand on the same level – subject to Christ.
1.
Eph. 5:21
– to submit to each other & to Christ.
G. Understanding that Christ = head of the church & that He has the final authority in religious matters – is fundamental to understanding the Bible & the rest of this lesson.
II. Two Basic Attitudes Toward Religious Authority
A. Attitudes been around for many years.
1.
Luther: wanted to retain in the church all that
not expressly condemned in Scripture.
2.
Zwingli
– wanted to abolish all that could not be proven by Scripture.
B. Is man free to practice anything in religion so long as it not specifically forbidden?
1.
if
so,…where can this lead?
2.
Will open
up authority for almost EVERY practice. No limit where this attitude will take one.
3.
Speed
limit sign specifically says 75. What if I conclude since it does not specifically say 80 – then I
can drive 80 or any speed I choose. How long b/f a ticket?
C. Man is free to practice ONLY what is authorized. This attitude = one that trying to please the Lord.
1.
Eph. 5:17;
Col. 3:17; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jhn. 9-11
D.
Heb. 1:1-4
– only way we know that what pleases God – is to operate within the expressed will of God
spoken through Jesus.
III. In all religious
matters we must operate w/in the bounds of authority.
A. NT declares need for authority in religion.
1.
Mt.
21:23-27 – note Pharisee’s principal question: by what authority are you doing these things?
2.
Note: Christ’s reply again in 21:25. From this we may conclude:
a)
authority
is needed in religion
b)
the one
who has the power to grant authority MUST GIVE IT. (God) This only
way for it to be legitimate.
B. Mt. 28:18 – ALL spiritual authority lies in the hands of Jesus.
1.
God speaks
to man today ONLY through Christ.
2.
See Mt.
5:17-18, 21-22; 17:5; Heb. 1:1-2
3.
Should be
careful to listen to Him & observe ALL that He says. See Deut. 18:18; Acts 3:22
IV. NT examples of men
operating w/in the bounds of authority.
A. Those added to the church following Pentecost.
1. Acts 2:42
2. First…they exhibit willingness to submit to Christ’s authority in baptism – 2:37-41
3. Christ gave apostles authority to speak on His behalf – so obeying apostles same as obeying Christ. Mt. 28:19-20
B. Acts 6:17 – care for widows at Jerusalem.
1. widows overlooked – apostles took charge of situation. Couldn’t forsake their responsibility of prayer/minority – 6:4
2. Apostles command to 7 to take care of this. Voice heeded; word of God increased; church grew in #/unity.
3. Note from this:
a) church had responsibility to care for widows
b) apostles laid down guidelines to get work accomplished
c) church carefully followed their instruction.
C. Acts 10-11 – Gospel taken to the Gentiles.
1. 11:19 – early church preached to Jews only.
2. 10 – Peter’s reluctance to let Gentiles in church
3. 11 – reluctance to let the Jews in by everyone.
4. 11:2 – hesitance a good thing. Shows they not willing to act w/o authority. If God not spoken – they could not speak.
a) Peter – who was I to withstand the Lord? (11:17)
b) 11:18, 20-22 – Disciples see that Gentiles to receive the right to b/c a part of the church.
V. Examples of Men Acting Without Authority in Religion.
A. Acts 15:1-2 – demand circumcision be forced on Gentiles. Refused to accept Paul’s authority.
1. did not have authority as of yet on how to act on this question. Ruling of apostles went against those demanding circumcision.
a) 15:28-29
b) wasn’t good enough for some – continued to strive against this word of apostles.
B. 1 Cor. 11:17-34 – Corinthians & Lord’s Supper
1. 11:23 – Paul recounts the institution of the LS. Abused the LS by:
a) 11:21, 33 – made communion an occasion to exercise a party spirit.
b) 11:21, 34 – turned it into a common meal.
c) 11:27-30 – failed to discern its proper significance.
2. Church had no authority either in apostolic command or precedence for the type of feast they having.
C. Other examples:
1. lawless workers – Mt. 7:21-23; 13:41-42
2. foolish builders – Mt. 7:24-27
3. Those who depart from the faith – 1 Tim. 4:1
4. Those who do not abide in the doctrine – 2 Jhn. 9-11
5. Those who walk disorderly – 2 Thess 3:6-7; 14
Conclusion
A. Everything that God gave Christians & the church in the NT had responsibility to do – He gave them authority to do.
1. That authority has been limited to Himself & His apostles.
2. Limited responsibility to those things that He has seen fit to reveal
3. We have no right to beyond the bounds of authority & do as we please in religion.
B. Let us understand the importance of this – in all we do, say, practice in religion.
C. Next lesson: The source of religious authority.
D. I N V I T A T I O N