Who has final authority in religion?
Introduction. In everything there must be authority, whether in the home, the school, on the job, or with civil government. Moreover, the authority must be recognized or chaos will result. Religion is no exception.
Man's answer to the question of final authority. Roman Catholics recognize the Pope as their authority. Others reject that and point to a different centralized headquarters and governing body (e.g., Lutherans, Presbyterians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons) . Still others point to historical councils, creeds, and synods as the authority. Some view the local "pastor" as the authority. However, none of these proposed authorities are sanctioned by the Bible as being the final authority in religion (cf. Mk. 7: 5-13).
According to the Bible, Jesus Christ has complete and final authority. God speaks through His Son (Heb. 1: 1-2). In the setting of Moses, Elias, and Jesus, the Father exclaimed, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5). Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28: 18). All we do must be done in Jesus' name or by His authority (Col. 3: 17). Jesus possesses legislative, executive, and judicial authority (Matt. 7: 21-28; John 5: 22; Matt. 28: 18-20).
Jesus' authority is articulated through His teaching, His word. Jesus' teaching is, indeed, authoritative (Matt. 7: 24-29). Jesus said, "... the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6: 63). Inspired writers such as Paul taught Jesus' will (1 Cor. 14: 37). "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God...," Peter taught (1 Pet. 4: 11). We are under obligation to "bring the doctrine of Christ" or be rejected (2 John 9-11).
Conclusion. The primary reason for all the confusion in the religious world today is the failure to recognize and submit to Jesus' authority. Such submission is required if we believe in Jesus' Lordship (Luke 6: 46) and want to strive for the unity of all believers Jesus prayed for (John 17: 21) and the Holy Spirit through Paul commanded (1 Cor. 1: 10-12).
Man's answer to the question of final authority. Roman Catholics recognize the Pope as their authority. Others reject that and point to a different centralized headquarters and governing body (e.g., Lutherans, Presbyterians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons) . Still others point to historical councils, creeds, and synods as the authority. Some view the local "pastor" as the authority. However, none of these proposed authorities are sanctioned by the Bible as being the final authority in religion (cf. Mk. 7: 5-13).
According to the Bible, Jesus Christ has complete and final authority. God speaks through His Son (Heb. 1: 1-2). In the setting of Moses, Elias, and Jesus, the Father exclaimed, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5). Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28: 18). All we do must be done in Jesus' name or by His authority (Col. 3: 17). Jesus possesses legislative, executive, and judicial authority (Matt. 7: 21-28; John 5: 22; Matt. 28: 18-20).
Jesus' authority is articulated through His teaching, His word. Jesus' teaching is, indeed, authoritative (Matt. 7: 24-29). Jesus said, "... the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6: 63). Inspired writers such as Paul taught Jesus' will (1 Cor. 14: 37). "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God...," Peter taught (1 Pet. 4: 11). We are under obligation to "bring the doctrine of Christ" or be rejected (2 John 9-11).
Conclusion. The primary reason for all the confusion in the religious world today is the failure to recognize and submit to Jesus' authority. Such submission is required if we believe in Jesus' Lordship (Luke 6: 46) and want to strive for the unity of all believers Jesus prayed for (John 17: 21) and the Holy Spirit through Paul commanded (1 Cor. 1: 10-12).