Doy Moyer

To have authority for what we do means that we have freedom, the right and permission to act as it comes from one who has the right to order and give permission. Our Authority is Jesus Christ. He has the right to command (Matt. 28:18).

God has the right to tell us what to do because He is our Creator (Gen. 1:1, 26, 27; Acts 17:24-31). When man tries to become his own authority, then he is acting according to the same evil desires with which Satan tempted Eve. Concerning the forbidden fruit, the serpent said, "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:5). Satan was telling Adam and Eve that they could become their own authority. They did not need Jehovah telling them what to do. They could decide for themselves what was right and wrong. This is the message of secular humanism. It is born out of the concept that the highest authority is man; we don't need any Deity to tell us what to do. The foundation for the teaching of authority is rooted in Genesis. In order for us to understand the need for authority, we must understand God as Creator.

Authority Needed Everywhere

Authority is necessary in all aspects of life. Without it, there can only be anarchy and chaos. Without authority in the home, in the schools or on the job, there will only be problems. Without authority in the nation and government, many citizens will act wickedly with no judgment on their actions. Authority is needed everywhere. This is something that most people freely recognize. No group, organization or nation can function smoothly without one who can "call the shots."

The Need For Authority In Religious Matters

The need for authority is seen especially in the religious world. The existence of hundreds of denominations shows this. The many divisions that exist, even among God's people, testify of the need for authority. Divisions and denominations exist because people, at sometime, did not listen and submit to the authority of God. Instead, they became their own authority and acted in lawlessness.

The nature of man requires authority. Man cannot provide this authority by himself. Jeremiah said, "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jer. 10:23; cf. Prov. 14:12). When man begins to act on his own authority, then he is trying to do what cannot be rightly done. Some deny that we need authority for all that we do and teach. But what are the grounds for such a position? When people act or teach something without God's authority, then they must look to one of two things: 1) themselves as the authority, or 2) other men as the authority. Yet, the Bible condemns looking to men as the source of authority (Jer. 10:23; Col. 2:20-22; Matt. 15:9; Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 4:6). Without God's authority, we only have man's; and man's authority is worthless without God.

Again, the position of humanism is that we do not need God to tell us what to do. We must look to humanity as the highest source of authority. But think about it. If what one man or group says can be the source of authority, then what another man or group says can also be a source of authority, even if what they say contradicts what others say. If one person can appeal to himself or another man as authority, then why can't another person do the same? Who is to say who is right or wrong? When men contradict each other, how will the issues and questions be settled? Where else can we appeal? Without God, confusion and every evil thing will exist in society. We are seeing this first hand. But the same principle applies to religious matters. When those who claim to believe in God tell us that we do not need authority for a particular belief or practice, they are unwittingly taking the position of humanism. Only division and evil will result. There is no way for us to be united based on the authority of man.

Sadly, this attitude has invaded the Lord's people. The various and sundry divisions among Christians are the result of a failure to submit to God's authority. Instead of recognizing that we must have authority for all we do and teach, some are insisting that the pleas for authority are legalistic and unnecessary. "The church must change with the times," we hear. Such attitudes are a rejection of the authority of God's Word. It is also a rejection of Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18; John 12:48).

A Standard of right and wrong is essential. The only way that truth and error can be distinguished is by having an objective Standard by which all else is to be judged. This Standard is God's inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). Without the Bible, we cannot know God's will. We can only act according to our own will, which will ultimately bring destruction (Prov. 14:12). This is why it is vital for us to plead for "book, chapter and verse" for what we do. "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11). A firm grounding in and heeding of the Book is the only acceptable starting point for doing God's will (1 Cor. 2:9-13). Unless God has revealed something to us in His Word, there is no way that we can say we are doing God's will. There is no way that we can act with authority, unless God has, in some way, revealed it in the Scriptures.

An Insightful Question

The Pharisees recognized the need for authority when they asked Jesus, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" (Matt. 21:23). Jesus did not shout them down or tell them they were wrong for asking. He nowhere said, "Why, we don't need authority. You're just being legalistic!" His response was to ask them about the authority for the baptism of John: "where was it from? From heaven or from men?" (vs. 25). Jesus fully recognized that authority for practices and teachings is necessary. This question also reveals the only two sources from which a practice or teaching can come: heaven (God) or men. If not from heaven, then a teaching must come from men. Teachings that come from men result in vain service to God (Matt. 15:1-9). For authority to be worth anything, it must come from One who has the power to grant it. Men simply do not have this power.

Illustrated In The Old Testament

Examples in the Old Testament show us the need for acting with authority (cf. Rom. 15:4). Cain acted presumptiously and substituted his own will. He was rejected for this (Gen. 4). Nadab and Abihu were condemned to death because they did not act according to the authority of God (Lev. 10:1, 2). Uzziah acted without authority when he went into the temple and tried to burn incense (2 Chron. 26:16-20). He acted without authority and was punished. We need to be careful not to do the same.

The New Testament

Jesus taught in Matthew 7:21-23:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."

Jesus is Lord, which stresses the fact that He has the right to tell us what to do. Acting without authority is an assault on His Lordship. Further, acting without authority (i.e., "lawlessness") results in eternal condemnation. People may claim many wonderful works in the name of Jesus, but if these works are not done according to the will of God, they will be lawless and sinful (1 John 3:4).

We are to endeavor for unity (Eph. 4:1-6; 1 Cor. 1:10). The only way for unity to be maintained is through respect for God's authority. We must all recognize the same Standard and abide by it (Phil. 3:16). True disciples of Jesus are those who abide in His word (John 8:31-32). We must remain within the confines of the revealed Word of God (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6). To go beyond the Scriptures is to show disrespect for our Lord and bring destruction (2 John 9; cf. Rev. 22:18, 19). This is the consistent teaching of the New Testament.

Conclusion

We are to have the Lord's sanction for all that we do and teach (Col. 3:17). The church is subject to Christ, the head, in everything (Eph. 5:24). Let us always make fervent appeals to the Bible. Let us bring honor and glory to God by full submission to His will. Remember who God is (Creator), and remember who we are (the created). And remember: Christ is the "author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb. 5:9).