“The Truth About Religious Authority”

Ben Bailey

Intro:

1. Jesus taught in Matthew 21:23-27 that there can only be 2 sources of Authority:

a. Human (finite, sinful)

b. Divine (infinite,Mal 3:6, Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18)

2. Authority is defined as, “the power of rule of Him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed” (Thayers, pg., 225).

3. The key to authority is Col. 3:17—Acts 4:7, Matt. 8:9, 21:23

I. The World recognizes authority in daily life.

A. Public Restroom vs. Authorized Personnel only/ Men’s vs. women’s

B. How do you know what side of the street to drive on?

C. We have certain standards in weights and measures. What if a gallon of gasoline meant one amount to one person and a different amount to another?

D. What if baseball and football games didn’t have any rules?

E. We recognize Governmental Authority.

F. What if Citizens were allowed to coin money?

II. The Wrong Place for Authority.

A. A persons own reasoning [I Cor 1:25, Prov 3:5-7, 14:26, II Pet 1:21 (no private interpretation).

B. The Head of any religious organization. (preacher, pope)

C. A denominational convention.

D. My feelings. Acts 23:1, Jer 17:9 Prov 28:26

E. The majority. Ex 23:2

F. My Ancestors. Gal 1:14

G. Assumption. I Thes 5:21, I Pet 3:15

III. The Chain of Authority.

A. God (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 12:9).

B. Christ (Matt. 28:18; Jn. 5:27, Col. 3:17).

C. Apostle/ Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26, 15:26, 16:13).

D. Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:19ff, Jn. 12:48, I Cor. 14:37).

E. Us Today (Eph. 3:4, 2 Tim. 2:14, Jn. 8:32).

IV. Examples of those who did not heed the Authority of God.

A. Nadab and Abihu—Lev 10:1ff

B. Saul I Samuel 15

C. Achan Josh 7

D. Uzzah I Chronicles 13, 15

E. Cain Gen. 3

V. Application of Authority.

A. The application of religious authority is we do not have the right to do what God has not told us to.

B. Some examples of false authority today are:

1. Instrumental Music—Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:17

2. Hand Clapping.

3. Drama/Acting—I Cor. 1:21

4. Women’s Roles—I Tim. 2:11-12

5. Lord’s Supper.

6. Religious Holidays.

7. Salvation by faith only.

Conclusion:

If we don’t have the authority from God to do what we do in religion we must abandon it. If we are not sure if we have the authority we must not do it until we find authority. If we have authority it is imperative that we do it.