005. Authority in Religion
005. Authority in Religion
5 AUTHORITY IN RELIGION
INTRODUCTION What is authority in religion? What is final authority? These are important questions. The answers will settle all disputes just as the supreme court settles all questions.
Jesus spoke to the common people.
If we do not put ourselves on that plane we will not understand him.
I. WHAT IS AUTHORITY NOW?(Deuteronomy 18:18-19.) 1. God promised to raise up a prophet like unto Moses.
2. He would put his words in his mouth.
3. This prophet should speak. all these words to the people .
4. God would require it of all who refused to hear.
II. JESUS FULFILLED THIS PROMISE (Acts 3:22-23) 1. God commands us to hear his Son. (Matthew 17:1-8.) 2. Nothing original with Jesus; all came from God. (John 12:49-50.) 3. How much shall we hear him? Whatsoever he says. (Acts 3:22.) 4. Destroyed if we fail to bear him. (Acts 3:23.) III. TWO CONCLUSIONS FROM THE ABOVE PREMISES 1. All that Jesus spoke has the stamp of divinity.
2. No other ’s words are authority-not even Moses-Now.
3. Joe Smith has none , Confession of Faith, Disciplines have none.
IV. ALL AUTHORITY BELONGS TO JESUS (Matthew 28:18) 1. In heaven, hence God, Holy Spirit and angels all work in plan of salvation by his authority-do nothing contrary to his will.
2. On earth. Hence all men must teach ju st what Jesu s taught.
3. All civil governments have their limits- some place the stars and stripes represent no authority.
CONCLUSION: He that heareth you heareth me . etc. (Luke 10:16.)