Another Musick-al note: # 20
THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
Moses prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18-19 “I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. Whoever will not listen to him will be brought into account for their disobedience.” Peter revealed that Jesus was that Prophet (Acts 3:20-23). John the Baptist testified that Jesus was That One (John 1:21-34). The Hebrew writer stated that His authority included the ability to take away the Old Law and establish a New Covenant to save those who come to God by Him. (Hebrews 10:9-10). Peter declared that Jesus is the only one who has authority to save men from their sins (Acts 4:12). Jesus said that He is the ONLY way to the Father (John 14:6). God said we must listen to Jesus His Son (Matthew 17:5). Jesus also said God has given all authority to him (Matthew 28:18). Since He has ALL AUTHORITY, then He has authority to give commands regarding remission of sins, entrance into His church, the organization of His church, the acceptable avenues of worshipping God, and how man is to live daily upon the earth. No person has received authority from Christ to change His Will in any of these areas. He has delegated authority to certain men known as elders (presbyters, bishops, pastors) that the church be led by His will today. Read Ephesians 4:12, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-7. These men are to tend the flock of God (1 Peter 5:1-3) so that no one will be lost. This is the only authority that any man has on earth today. This means that no person, group of men, churches, conferences, elders or “authorities” of one sort or another have any authorization to make new and different religious laws, rules or regulations that change anything having to do with our salvation. Should they do so and teach men to follow those rules and regulations, they are deceivers and will lead all who follow them into the abyss (Matthew 15:6-14). No matter what church one may belong to, or what its leaders may say, if the teachings do not conform to what Christ said, as related by Him and His Apostles, that church and its leaders are deceivers. It is wrong for an individual to stay in and support such false teachings for they do not lead to heaven (2 John 1:9-11). We must not support and foster religious division, because God and Christ hate such actions.
Musick-al Notes 