Authority: From Heaven or Man?
Posted by James Lynch (+198) 12 years ago
Matthew 21:23-27 "23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John--where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus and said, "We do not know." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

The Chief Priests and the elders asked Jesus an important question. "By what authority do you do these things?" How did Jesus answer? He did not answer by saying, "Why would you ask me a question like that? I don't need authority for the things I do!" When we examine Jesus' answer to the Jewish leaders, we see that He knew very well that there is a need for authority for things done in religion. From His answer we can see the 2 sources of authority we see in this world. The authority for the things that we do is either from heaven or from man.

Jesus asked them where John got his authority because of their inability to believe the things that John spoke. John was turning tax collectors and harlots back to the Lord, but those who were considered religious in that day were not allowing God's word to touch their hearts. We see through the reasoning of the Jewish leaders that if the authority of John came from heaven that his words should have been believed and followed, but they were not willing to do that. If John's authority came from heaven, His witness of Jesus being the Christ would be true.

Jesus shows in Matthew 21:28-32 the hearts of these leaders. In the parable of the two sons, one of the sons was told to work in the vineyard by his father. He said that he would not, but later repented and went to work in the vineyard. The father came to the second son and told him to work in the vineyard, and the son said that he would go but he didn't.
Which of the sons followed the authority of the father? The first did. The first son is a picture of those who disobey God but later repent and follow His will. The second son was a picture of the Jewish leaders and those who give God 'lip service.' They say "I'm a follower of God," but they do their own thing in religion; not following the authority of God.
Which of the 2 sons are you?

For the things that you and your church do, do you have a book, chapter, and verse from the word of God that authorizes your practices and beliefs? If not, just like the Jewish leaders, your authority is from man and not God, and your practices, beliefs, and worship are vain to the Lord because they are based on the traditions of men (Mark 7:6-13; Matthew 15:3-9).
We're commanded to do all things in the name of (by the authority of) the Lord (Colossians 3:17). We must abide in the doctrine of Christ.

2 John 1:9 (NKJV) Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

If we go beyond the teaching of Christ by doing something in our service and worship to Him that He does not tell us to do, we do not abide in Christ. Our desire as children of God should be to honor God by doing exactly what He asks of us and by not using our own opinions, feelings, and beliefs as ways to authorize our practices. Our opinions and feelings are not a valid source of showing us what we are authorized to do. We need a book, chapter, and verse from the scriptures to show that what we practice is from Heaven and not men. God bless, have a great week, and Keep working in the Word.

In His Service,
Jim Lynch, Evangelist
Miles City Church of Christ
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Posted by Bob Netherton II (+1908) 12 years ago
"Our desire as children of God should be to honor God by doing exactly what He asks of us and by not using our own opinions, feelings, and beliefs as ways to authorize our practices. Our opinions and feelings are not a valid source of showing us what we are authorized to do."

Jim. There is no one, including you, who can tell exactly what God wants us to do by reading and then interpreting scripture.
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Posted by Kacey (+3151) 12 years ago
Doesn't that really limit good that people could do in this world? Sounds a bit limiting to me. I guess I always figured God gave us brains and FREE WILL for a reason.
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Posted by Wendy Wilson (+6169) 12 years ago
We need a book, chapter, and verse from the scriptures to show that what we practice is from Heaven and not men.


Oh, like this one?

If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl's father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives. Deuteronomy 22:28-29
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Posted by Gunnar Emilsson (+18348) 12 years ago
Heaven.....
Heaven is a place....
A place where nothing....
Nothing ever happens.....
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Posted by James Lynch (+198) 12 years ago
Friends,
I refuse to take the time out of my busy day to respond to those who only want debate and are not willing to accept truth from the scripture as my articles are posted here to inspire thought and self assesment of those who wish to make there relationship with God a more blessed one and endless debate is not fruitful.

However, if you are willing to call me and sit face to face and show me where I am in error please feel free to call me at 406-234-3775 and we can set an appt. at your convenience...

My articles speak for themselves and are backed by the scripture which is our guide in this life. Those who are not willing to accept them as truth that will be for you to come to terms with and I have no part in that. My only goal is to open people to perhaps think for themselves.

Have a great day.

In His Service, Jim Lynch

[This message has been edited by James Lynch (9/9/2010)]
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supporter
Posted by Bridgier (+9506) 12 years ago
My articles speak for themselves and are backed by the scripture which is our guide in this life.

Why?
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Posted by Kacey (+3151) 12 years ago
Just curious, but what book, chapter and verse told you to post this stuff in an online forum? I've read the Bible a lot and NO where in it does it mention online websites.
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Posted by Robert L. Reyff (+38) 12 years ago
Mark 16:15-18
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