Our nation is suffocating under the death-grip of anarchy. Disrespect for authority is evidenced in everything from civil disobedience to parental permissiveness. We are following the worldview so prevalent during the turbulent biblical period of the Judges. Scripture describes those days as a time when “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). Even in the church there are many who discount the certainty of biblical revelation. But, if truth cannot be known, then Jesus was mistaken in asserting that it has the power to set us free from our sins (Jn. 8:32). However, the truth can be understood and is the basis of all religious authority (Eph. 3:4; 1 Cor. 1:10).

God, the Father, has given all authority to His Son, Jesus (Mt. 28:18). At Christ’s transfiguration, we read of a voice speaking out of the cloud which enveloped the disciples, saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Mt. 17:5). Jesus has all authority to speak to men today concerning religious faith and practice (Heb. 1:1-2). We must pay heed to His words as those which will judge us on the last day (Jn. 12:48). God had promised centuries earlier to raise up a prophet like Moses from among their countrymen, saying, “I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him” (Dt. 18:18–19). This prophecy, quoted by Peter in Acts chapter three, is fulfilled in Christ.

Christ’s authority resides in the New Testament. Knowing that He would soon leave His apostles by way of the cross, Jesus promised to send the Spirit of truth so that they could teach and preach the gospel without error (Jn. 14:26: 16:13). The apostles and prophets, who wrote the New Testament, did so as they were moved by the Holy Spirit to speak from God (2 Pet. 1:21). Like those early hearers in Thessalonica, we must accept the Word of Christ as God’s message (1 Th. 2:13). The things written by inspiration are the Lord’s commandments and provide all authority for religious faith and practice.

The councils, creeds, and dogmas of men provide no legitimate authority in religious matters. Nor is there any authority inherent in our own subjective preferences and opinions. The only authority in matters of religion is the Word of God. We must not shudder at the thought of submitting to His authority; but humbly submit, obeying from the heart His Word which alone has the power to save us from our sins and deliver us safely to the eternal paradise of God (Jas. 1:21; Rm. 6:17-18).

— Glen Elliott —