God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, {2} has in these last
days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; {3}
who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of
His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, {4} having
become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
We have seen how God speaks to man today, compared with times past.
God through Christ ----- Holy Spirit via the apostles and now their written word speaks to us.
We have two terms describing authority in Christ Jesus and those terms are primary and delegated authority. We
know there are limitations of authority within the individual realms.
Authority cannot cross these lines unless a different realm of authority is entered.
The purpose of these lessons is to discuss authority in Christianity. The salvation of souls is our purpose of
existence. Our concern is seeing that we do not jeopardize ours or others chance of salvation. We must then give
great concern to see that what we must do and say as being by the authority of Christ and not man.
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NKJV)
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. {2} For if the word
spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, {3} how
shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was
confirmed to us by those who heard Him, {4} God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various
miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
As we see, Christ has all authority concerning the church. The church is the institution whereby that we may reach
toward heaven. Anyone one who desires to go to heaven must do so via the church.
John 16:13 (NKJV)
"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own
authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
John 14:26 (NKJV)
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your
remembrance all things that I said to you.
Ephesians 1:18-23 (NKJV)
the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the
riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, {19} and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us
who believe, according to the working of His mighty power {20} which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from
the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, {21} 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. {22} And He put
all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, {23} which is His body, the fullness of
Him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 2:18-22 (NKJV)
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. {19} Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers
and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, {20} having been built on
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, {21} in whom the
whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, {22} in whom you also are being built
together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:9-11 (NKJV)
and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in
God who created all things through Jesus Christ; {10} to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be
made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, {11} according to the eternal
purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Christ is the central force behind true Christianity. All things are subject to Him concerning spiritual matters.
Ephesians 4:11-16 (NKJV)
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12}
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to
the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ; {14} that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love,
may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together
by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of
the body for the edifying of itself in love.
2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who
called us by glory and virtue,
The apostles and the written word given by the Holy Spirit is enough authority to know what is right or wrong
concerning the church and our salvation.
1 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)
But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is
God.
Ephesians 5:23 (NKJV)
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)
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 2:9 (NKJV)
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
Colossians 2:10 (NKJV)
and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
1 Corinthians 12:28 (NKJV)
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
1 Corinthians 13:9 (NKJV)
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
1 Corinthians 13:10 (NKJV)
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
Ephesians 5:23 (NKJV)
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Ephesians 5:24 (NKJV)
Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Revelation 22:18-19 (NKJV)
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will
add to him the plagues that are written in this book; {19} and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are
written in this book.
No person or groups of persons has the right or authority to declare spiritual things. Any person or group who
declare in any way a standard of living other than what we have in the revealed will of Christ is wrong.
In our day and age we have problems of democracy. Since the country is run by this kind of system and it appears to
be a workable system; some people feel that it is a system that can be used by the church.
There has also been the problem of self-sufficiency. As long as one feels in their heart that they are right, then they
cannot be wrong. But there are scriptural warnings about letting feelings be the guide.
Psalms 51:16 (NKJV)
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
Psalms 51:17 (NKJV)
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart; These, O God, You will not despise.
Proverbs 15:8 (NKJV)
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Proverbs 21:3 (NKJV)
To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Hosea 6:6 (NKJV)
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Even in times past before the establishment of the Lords church, God has desired obedience for His followers.
Obedience over feelings or works! All the good works that can or could be accomplished means nothing to God,
unless they are done in obedience to His word.
This is why we have to be careful when deciding what good works are. When deciding what to participate in and
deciding what to do. Our motives must be examined and our actions must be kept in check by the law of Christ.
Romans 6:17 (NKJV)
But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which
you were delivered.
Romans 6:18 (NKJV)
And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
Philippians 2:12 (NKJV)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Our authority today resides in the written word of God.
If our actions cannot be confirmed by the authority of the word of God, then we are wrong in our actions. If we learn
that we are wrong, we must change. If we feel or think that something is good, such a endeavor is not good enough.
We must be able to go to a scriptural reference to determine the accuracy of our actions.
The plan of salvation is prepared by God for us to follow. We cannot change it. The church is set up for a purpose.
We cannot change it. The living of the faithful is a patterned lifestyle. We cannot change it.
Authority through the Word cannot be bypassed and still be right, we must submit to the revealed will of God, and
thereby we can know that we are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus....Gal 3:26-27.