Review of Our Need for Divine Authority Authority: “the Power or right to Command or Act.” Need For Authority Established by: Bible Examples: Cain, Nadab & Abihu, Uzziah Divine Revelation, Jeremiah 10:23. God’s Rule in the Universe, Matt. 11:25. The Superiority of Divine Wisdom over Human Wisdom, Isaiah 55:8-9. The Existence of the Bible; it is a perfect and complete guide, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Lesson Title: The Source of Divine Authority Our Approach in this lesson will be both Negative and Positive. Negatively: –We will show what the source of Divine authority is not. Positively: –We will show what the source of divine authority is.

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not the Old Testament! The Old Testament serves a good purpose, Romans 15:4. A Knowledge of the O.T. helps us better understand the N.T. Gal. 3:16,29; Gen. 12:1-3 However, the Old Testament System: –Could not take away sin, Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16; Heb. 10:4. –Was a Shadow of good things to come, Heb. 10:3. –Was fulfilled and nailed to cross, Col. 2:14,16 To follow it is to fall from grace, Gal. 5:4!

Notwithstanding the Aforementioned Facts: Many Sincere Religious People turn to the O.T. as their authority for such practices as: –Infant Membership, Heb. 8:11. –Tithing, Leviticus 27:30. –Keeping the Sabbath, Exodus 20:8; 31:17; Deut. 5:15; Col. 2:14,16. –Instrumental Music in Worship, Psa. 150.

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not Human Tradition! “Besides knowing God by our natural reason, we can also know Him from supernatural revelation that is, from the truths found in Sacred Scripture and in Tradition, which God Himself has revealed to us,” New Baltimore Catechism & Mass, p. 15. The Pharisees had their hand-me-down traditions, Matt. 15:2, and by which they transgressed the commandments of God, Matt. 15:3,6. In following their traditions, they taught “for doctrines the commandments of men,” making their worship vain, Matthew 15:8-9!

The Source of Divine Authority is Not the Voice of the Preacher Many do not study for themselves; they simply ask their preacher! But Satan has preachers! 2 Cor. 11:13-15 Jesus said “take heed what ye hear,” Mark 4:24. People must do their own investigation, Acts 17:11; I Thess. 5:21; I John 4:1. Preachers must “Preach the word,” 2 Tim. 4:2, but many preach their own word!

The Source of Divine Authority is not Human Creeds Fact: Most denominations have their own creed, manual, discipline, catechism, confessional, or prayer book. All of them teach something more than the Bible, something less than the Bible, or something other than the Bible! Gal. 1:8-9; 2 John 9; Rev. 22:18,19.

Some Common Examples of Human Creeds: The Book of Morman – teaches us to follow Joseph Smith. Catechism – pray to Mary. Methodist Discipline: “wherefore that we are justified by faith only is a most whole doctrine and very full of comfort, Article 9. Hiscox Standard Manual for Baptist Churches – “Baptism is not essential to salvation…,” p. 20. Koran – “The final revelation from God…”

The Source of Divine Authority is Not the Local Church! Fact: Some churches decide things by Majority vote. However, the Israelites: –Wanted their own “gods,” Exodus 32:1. –Wanted a king to be like the other nations, I Samuel 8:5. –Loved the words of false prophets, Jeremiah 5:30-31.

The Source of Divine Authority is Not The End Results! If it excites the members; if it gains revenue for the church, if it attracts a large number of people, if it keeps the people happy, etc. it must be ok – or so many reason. They function on the basis that “the end justifies the means.” David and the Israelites took this approach when they moved the ark on a new ox cart, 2 Samuel 6:3,6-7. The Results were tragic!

The Source of Divine Authority Is Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ has “all authority,” Matt. 28:18. Jesus is “head over the church,” Ephesians 1:22-23; Col. 1:18. Jesus is the “One Mediator” between God and man, I Timothy 2:5. Jesus will judge us, Acts 17:30-31; Jn. 12:48 God speaks to us through His Son, Heb. 1:1 –He is the mediator of the N.T., Heb. 9: –God sent Jesus, John 3:16; Jesus sent the apostles, John 17:8; we receive Jesus as we receive the message they delivered, John 13:20.

In View of These Facts, We Should: Handle accurately the word of God, 2 Tim. 2:15. Prove all things, I Thess. 5:21. Speak as the oracles of God, I Peter 4:11 Be ready to give an answer, I Peter 3:15. Have the attitude of the Bereans, Acts 17:11. Do all things “in the name of Jesus Christ,” or by His authority, Col. 3:17. Obey Jesus! Hebrews 5:9.

Conclusion: In view of these truths we must respect divine authority; we must acknowledge Jesus as our Source of divine authority, always submitting to His will as it is revealed upon the Holy Spirit inspired pages of the New Testament. To be saved we must obey Jesus! We obey Jesus when we obey His Gospel.