Is there any authority in religion?
Introduction. This is a very good question. Every realm or field has authority. Without a norm or standard there can be no right or wrong.
Personal feelings are authority for many. "I believe what I do religiously because I feel it is right," some say. Beloved, subjective feelings are unreliable. Paul's feelings misled him (Acts 26:9). Solomon wrote, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool..." (Prov. 28: 26). One reason we have so many different religions today is because people go by personal feelings.
Many consider human creeds as authority. Beloved, each denomination has a different creed. Actually, this is not new. Jesus said of many of the Jews of his day, "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mk. 7:7).
Some view God's word as the only authority in religious matters. Jesus said he has all authority ("power") in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28: 19). Jesus' authority is expressed through his word (2 John 9-11). We must have authority for all we practice (Col. 3:17, cf. Acts 4:7, 12). You and I shall be judged by the word of God (John 12:48).
Conclusion. Beloved, what we recognize as authority in matters religious will determine what we are religiously. If I subscribe to the teachings of Buddha, I will be a Buddhist, etc. If we simply and only recognize God's authority, we will be Christian, those of whom we read in the new Testament.
Personal feelings are authority for many. "I believe what I do religiously because I feel it is right," some say. Beloved, subjective feelings are unreliable. Paul's feelings misled him (Acts 26:9). Solomon wrote, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool..." (Prov. 28: 26). One reason we have so many different religions today is because people go by personal feelings.
Many consider human creeds as authority. Beloved, each denomination has a different creed. Actually, this is not new. Jesus said of many of the Jews of his day, "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mk. 7:7).
Some view God's word as the only authority in religious matters. Jesus said he has all authority ("power") in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28: 19). Jesus' authority is expressed through his word (2 John 9-11). We must have authority for all we practice (Col. 3:17, cf. Acts 4:7, 12). You and I shall be judged by the word of God (John 12:48).
Conclusion. Beloved, what we recognize as authority in matters religious will determine what we are religiously. If I subscribe to the teachings of Buddha, I will be a Buddhist, etc. If we simply and only recognize God's authority, we will be Christian, those of whom we read in the new Testament.