Authority in Religion Religious division is caused by a lack of respect for the Word of God. Perpetuated by those who are ignorant of the true standard of authority. "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:20-22)

Christ Has All Authority And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matt. 28:18) God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son… (Heb. 1:1-2) If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. (1 Cor. 14:37)

Bible: Final & Complete Revelation All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3) 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. (2 Pet. 1:3)

God’s Law is Strict You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (Deut. 4:2) Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. (2 Jn. 9) Adam & Eve Ate Fruit Moses Struck Rock Nadab & Abihu’s Unauthorized Sacrifice Uzzah Touched Ark

God’s Will Can Be Understood by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. (Eph. 3:4) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:17) Do you think God would give us a book to read, believe, & obey and then make it too hard to understand? You can understand without some special anointing of God.

False Standards of Authority Conscience – Does tell us whether we are doing right or wrong, based upon what we have been taught. – There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Prov. 14:12) – Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." (Acts 23:1) – "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (Acts 26:9)

False Standards of Authority Wisdom of men – that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Cor. 2:5) – For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1 Cor. 1:21) – O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. (Jer. 10:23)

False Standards of Authority Majority – who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. (1 Pet. 3:20) – Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matt. 7:13-14) – The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; (Deut. 7:7)

False Standards of Authority Parents – He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (Matt. 10:37) – For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. (Gal. 1:13-14)

False Standards of Authority The Law of Moses – Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. (Gal. 3:16) – having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (Col. 2:14) – Gal. 3:23-25; Eph. 2:15; Heb. 8:7-9 – For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. (Heb. 9:16-17)