Written by Chad Dollahite
It is this writer’s studied opinion that authority is perhaps the single most important matter for those seeking to please God. A misuse or misunderstanding of authority inevitably causes a series of successive errors in spiritual matters. Thus, it behooves the would-be follower of God to study authority and ensure he is acting in accordance with the authority of God. Our task in this article is to inform ourselves specifically concerning the authority of Jesus, the Son of God. What do we learn about Jesus’ authority?
Jesus recognized authority. Jesus was once asked by the religious leaders, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” (Matthew 21:23). Jesus did not argue the need for authority. He answered their questions with a question of His own, asking whether John’s baptism was “from heaven or from men” (Matthew 21:25). His reason for that question was to highlight how those leaders had rejected John’s baptism, thus refusing God’s authority (see Luke 7:29,30). But, Jesus recognized the need for authority in religious matters, and He also illustrated the fact that there can be only two options: from God or men. Too many in the religious realm simply do whatever they want, or what they think/feel to be right, without consulting what God says. Others just act out of habit, doing whatever they have always done before. There are also those who treat any self-proclaimed “preacher” as authoritative, trusting whatever the pulpiteer says as gospel truth. And, of course, many simply follow a crowd, figuring, “They must be doing something right.” The real question, however, is whether a doctrine or action is “from heaven or from men” (Matthew 21:25).
Jesus emphasized authority. Some believe Jesus does not really care what humans believe/say/do or whether we obey Him or not, as long as we “love” Him. Yet, Jesus emphasized His authority (Matthew 28:18), as did the Father Himself (Matthew 17:5). Jesus asked on one occasion, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). And, Jesus defined what it means to “love” Him, saying, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Make no mistake, Jesus emphasized His authority (verified by the Father), and all will be judged according to Jesus’ authoritative words (John 12:48).
Jesus categorized authority. Some have the mistaken idea that only Jesus’ own words/commands in the Bible are authoritative. However, Jesus, knowing He would ascend back into heaven after His resurrection, made plans to delegate authority on earth into various categories. Jesus first categorized authority in the form of the apostles. He told them He would send the Holy Spirit to guide them, and they would have special, unique authority (John 14:26; 16:13). Jesus’ authority is further categorized into the inspired writings of the New Testament. Speaking by inspiration, Paul said, “The things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37), and John said, “He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6). Other men (such as Luke, Mark, James, and Jude), though not apostles, were inspired “prophets” (see Ephesians 3:3-5), guided by the Spirit in writing Scripture.
Another category of authority designated by Jesus is elders in the church. Christians in local congregations are to “obey those who rule over you, and be submissive” (Hebrews 13:17). Faithful gospel preaching is another category of Jesus’ authority – “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15). Each of these categories stems from—and must operate under and submit to—the supreme authority of Jesus, to whom the Father has given “all authority” (Matthew 28:18).
As God in the flesh, Jesus recognized the importance of authority. Jesus also emphasized the need for humans to submit to His authority as God’s Son. And, Jesus categorized authority, leaving mankind the means by which to establish and obey His supreme authority. Jesus’ authority and submission to it are the foundation of a life that pleases God and ends in eternal reward. The question asked of Peter and John by the religious leaders of their day is still just as valid today for all we do in spiritual matters: “By what power or by what name have you done this?” (Acts 4:7). Let us always answer in accordance with Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus [meaning by the authority of Jesus, ccd], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”