Building Bible Confidence: Part 7

Part 7: By What Authority?

Introduction

Having completed several studies on the evidences of Scriptural validity, we now move into the next section of studies in The Bible Series. Once we conclude that the Bible speaks with divine inspiration, how are we supposed to respond? Without a common ground, it is almost impossible for two people to agree. If two people attempt to study the Bible together, and they do not respect the Bible the same way, how can they reach a consensus? The authority and truth of the Bible form the common ground we must seek. If two agree that the Bible speaks with God's authority and is true, they can agree on anything therein. If they do not agree on such a common ground, studying individual topics within will be difficult. With that in mind, let's consider authority and truth, how it operates, and why it matters.

Authority Defined

During His earthly ministry, Jesus commonly clashed with the Jewish religious leaders. The Bible records some of their questions:

Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)

It may be easy to focus on the bad attitude of these leaders, but their inquiries are valid questions: What exactly is authority, who has authority, and why does it matter? Authority can be defined as the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. Who has the power or right over us during this life and for eternity? God. If we can know where to find God’s authority, then we can use it to determine the truth and God's will.

Authority in the Beginning

The first words in the Bible express God's authority. As the Force behind creation, God demonstrated the power and right to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience. When God made man in His image, He authorized him as steward of the planet:

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth,” (Genesis 1:28).

God also exercised authority when He gave man the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:8-15). With this tree came a command: do not eat from it. Alongside the authority of this command, God was offering Adam a choice. Adam would have the free will to submit to God's authority and deny himself. The other choice was to obey Self and deny God (by eating from this special tree).

This narrative provides a couple of observations about authority. First, authority was established outside of man's control. God has absolute authority (He had the right to command the man not to eat from certain trees). Man does not possess the power or right to authorize what is good and evil. Only God has the authority to do so. The prophet Jeremiah observed:

O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps, (Jeremiah 10:23).

Second, submission to God's authority comes from within. Man has the choice either to obey God's authority or reject it. When man chooses to submit to God's authority, he can enjoy a fellowship and harmony with God. Choosing to reject God's authority and attempting to be in control only leads to spiritual death. Adam and Eve rejected God's authority when they chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The struggle to submit to God or to reject His authority continues within the hearts of us all.

Is Authority Objective or Subjective?

Objective means that the power and rights of authority are outside of man. It does not change depending on culture or interpretation but rather has a universal standard. The Bible says we will be judged objectively (Revelation 20:11-15). God's objective authority is above the various human methods of fairness and determining right from wrong:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts,” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

If one rejects objective authority, the alternative is subjective authority. This means the power or right to determine good and evil is inside of man's control. Subjective truth may change depending on culture or interpretation. What may be good for one may be evil for another. There is no universal standard for morality and fairness changes depending on each one's preferences.

When the religious leaders questioned Jesus' authority, His response gave them an opportunity to choose between objective and subjective authority. They could submit to God or reject His good ways. The Bible says:

Now when [Jesus] came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” 

But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?”

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things,” (Matthew 21:23-27).

Jesus' question cut straight to the heart: was John's baptism from Heaven (objective authority) or from men (subjective authority)? The simple answer was that John's baptism was ordained by God. Unfortunately, the religious leaders knew that if they admitted this, Jesus would inquire about their lack of submission. A similar struggle continues within all of us. Let’s consider some common types of subjective authority that are frequently used.

Our Conscience Alone

The conscience is the inner voice of our mind that serves as a moral guide. The conscience is God given and can be very helpful. It can also be influenced or manipulated. What if one person thought something was morally right and another thought it was morally wrong? There must be a type of authority that is more consistent. The Bible warns about using our conscience alone.

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death, (Proverbs 14:12).

Human Wisdom Alone

The wisdom and life experience of others shape our lives. The Bible encourages us to honor those who are older and value their wisdom (e.g. Leviticus 19:32; Ephesians 6:1-2).

What happens when one of these asks us to believe in their opinions alone as God’s authority? We can honor someone and still disagree. Even the wisest human is not perfect (Romans 3:23). There must be an authority that is more steady than human wisdom alone. Even the apostle Paul wanted Christians to have faith in God’s power and not in Paul's human wisdom!

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God, (2 Corinthians 2:4-5).

The Majority Alone

The majority simply refers to the largest portion of a family, community, culture, or religion. The majority is able to enforce their preferences that make the most people satisfied. If, however, the religious majority denies God’s authority, Christians must not stand with them. Christians should trust in God and follow Him. We are told that the majority will reject eternal life:

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 (Matthew 7:13-14).

In Review: By What Authority?

Authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. God’s objective authority is over all. While authority comes from outside of man, submission to authority comes from within. When one rejects God’s objective authority, there are many subjective alternatives used to justify religion and morality. When used alone and without God, such wisdom is eternally insufficient.

*This article was taken from The Bible Series, a twelve-part study written by Jonathan Edwards. This study is available for free PDF download at www.pureandsimplebible.com