The Need for Authority

Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “authority” as “Legal power, or a right to command or to act.” When someone in authority gives authority to another it simply means that he has given that individual permission or the right to do a certain thing. When it comes to Christianity, there is only one person who has ultimate authority. That is Jesus Christ. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matthew 28:18). In this verse, the word “power” literally means “authority.”

In all things that have to do with religion, Jesus Christ is the one who is in authority. Therefore, anything that we do as Christians must be done with His permission. The Bible plainly tells us this; “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17). To do something in the name of Jesus means that we are doing it by His authority.

When it comes to religion, many do not respect Christ’s authority. Many say that we are permitted to do anything as long as Jesus did not specifically tell us that we couldn’t.

Apply that reasoning to an everyday occurrence. Imagine that your child has an ear infection and you take him to a doctor who prescribes an antibiotic. You take the prescription to the pharmacist who fills it and sends you on your way. The next day your child is in the hospital because you find that his antibiotics had arsenic in it as well. When the pharmacist is confronted he argues that the doctor never said he couldn’t put arsenic in the prescription.

You see, we understand that the doctor’s prescription gave the pharmacist the authority to give the sick child an antibiotic and nothing else. The doctor did not have to list everything that could not be mixed with the antibiotics.

God’s prescription for our sickness (sin) is the gospel. He tells us what He expects of us and doesn’t have to list everything we can not do. In upcoming articles we will see how many people abuse the authority of the Scriptures.

"Have You Heard" articles posted with permission.

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