March 15, 2004, Vol.4, No.6.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "The
Authority of Christ" (see
below)
and "Gay Marriage, Polygamy,
and the Authority of Christ"
The Authority of
Christ
by Keith Sharp
Early in Jesus, ministry those who heard Him teach were amazed
"for He taught them as one having authority, and not as
the scribes." (Matthew 7:29). The scribes taught by appealing
to the authority of the Jewish fathers. But Jesus asserted, "You
have heard that it was said to those of old, .... But I say to
you...." (Matthew 5:21-22)
They were at least equally amazed when he cast a demon out
of a man in the synagogue in Nazareth. "They questioned
among themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is
this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits,
and they obey Him." (Mark 1:27)
Even His disciples were astonished when, by His command, the
storm in the lake was stilled. They exclaimed, "Who can
this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew
8:23-27)
During His last week in Jerusalem, the rulers of the Jews
challenged His right to teach in the temple. They demanded, "By
what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this
authority?" (Matthew 21:23)
What authority does Jesus Christ possess?
The word "authority" denotes "the power of
one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others." (Vine.
1:89) It thus includes the right to command and the ability to
enforce the commands.
The Lord prefaced the Great Commission by asserting, "All
authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
(Matthew 28:18). Thus, He has all right to demand obedience both
in heaven itself and on earth. This right was given to Him by
the Father (cf. John 17:1-2). "For," He explained,
"I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who
sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should
speak." (John 12:49) He further has the ability to enforce
His rule. "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words,
has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge
him in the last day." (John 12:48; cf. 5:26-27).
His authority is indeed great. The Father
raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand
in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power
and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only
in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all
things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things
to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills
all in all. (Ephesians 1:20-23)
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He
may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)
Jesus Christ has this authority since He has superceded Moses
and the prophets of old as the spokesman for God. On the Mount
of Transfiguration, Jesus appeared in a different form, along
with Moses and Elijah, to Peter, James, and John. Peter suggested,
"Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us
make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and
one for Elijah." The Father replied from heaven, "This
is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"
(Matthew 17:5) Indeed, "God, who at various times and in
various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
has in these last days spoken to us by His Son...." (Hebrews
11:1-2)
Therefore, beginning on the first Pentecost after Jesus, resurrection,
the apostles did every thing in His name, i.e., by His authority
(Vine. 3:100; cf. Acts 4:18). They preached in His name (Acts
9:27,29), taught salvation in His name (Acts 4:11-12; 10:43;
1 Corinthians 6:11), baptized in His name (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48;
19:5), performed miracles in His name (Acts 3:6; 16:18) issued
commands in His name (2 Thessalonians 3:6), and exhorted the
brethren in His name (1 Corinthians 1:10).
They furthermore commanded us to do all in His name, i.e.,
by His authority. "And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17) Thus, in all relationships
of life we are governed by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We must have authority from Him for all we do and say. Even our
prayers to the Father are to be "through Him" (Colossians
3:17) or in His name (Ephesians 5:20). Our worship must be in
His name (Matthew 18:20).
One day Christ shall return in His full authority and splendor
as the judge of living and dead (John 5:26-31). You may reject
His word now, but on that day you will bow at His feet, confess
Him as Lord, and be judged and eternally sentenced by Him on
the basis of His Word (Philippians 2:9-11; John 12:48-50). You
may ignore His authority now and attempt to serve God in the
way that seems good to you, but on that day He will decree, "I
never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
(Matthew 5:23) My friend, have you submitted to the authority
of the Lord Jesus Christ?
_______________________
Work Cited
Vine, W.E., An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
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