There is a question Christians should learn to ask whenever something is taught or practiced in religion:
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?
Not:
Do I like it?
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Does it seem meaningful?
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Is it popular?
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Does my congregation practice it?
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Has it been done for generations?
The question is:
WHERE HAS CHRIST AUTHORIZED IT?
JESUS HAS ALL AUTHORITY
After His resurrection, Jesus declared:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
(Matthew 28:18, KJV)
The word translated “power” includes the idea of authority.
Christ possesses the authority.
Therefore, Christianity does not begin with what we want to do for Christ.
It begins with what Christ has authorized us to do.
THE APOSTLES WERE SENT BY CHRIST
Jesus told His apostles:
“He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me…”
(Luke 10:16, KJV)
Before His death, Jesus promised them:
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…”
(John 16:13, KJV)
Therefore, when we read the inspired teaching of Christ’s apostles, we are not merely reading their personal religious opinions.
They taught by Christ’s authority.
THE FIRST CHURCH FOLLOWED THAT AUTHORITY
After the church was established in Jerusalem:
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
(Acts 2:42, KJV)
Notice:
They did not continue in whatever doctrine each person preferred.
They continued in:
THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE.
EVERYTHING MUST BE DONE IN CHRIST’S NAME
Paul wrote:
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”
(Colossians 3:17, KJV)
To act “in the name of” another is to act by that person’s authority.
That gives us a fundamental biblical principle:
CHRIST HAS ALL AUTHORITY
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CHRIST REVEALED HIS WILL
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THE APOSTLES TAUGHT HIS WILL
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THE CHURCH CONTINUED IN THAT DOCTRINE
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WE MUST HAVE CHRIST’S AUTHORITY FOR WHAT WE TEACH AND PRACTICE
SINCERITY DOES NOT CREATE AUTHORITY
People can sincerely believe they are honoring God while doing something God has not authorized.
Jesus warned:
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
(Matthew 15:9, KJV)
They were worshipping.
But Jesus called that worship:
VAIN.
Why?
Human commandments had replaced divine authority.
“I LIKE IT” IS NOT AUTHORITY
Personal preference cannot establish biblical authority.
“I enjoy it.”
is not Scripture.
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“It helps me worship.”
is not Scripture.
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“Our church has always done it.”
is not Scripture.
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“Everybody does it now.”
is not Scripture.
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“I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
is not Scripture.
The biblical question remains:
WHERE HAS GOD AUTHORIZED IT?
WE MUST NOT GO BEYOND WHAT HAS BEEN REVEALED
John warned:
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God…”
(2 John 9, KJV)
The danger is not merely rejecting something God commanded.
There is also danger in going beyond Christ’s doctrine.
That principle should govern what we believe, teach, and practice.
THIS APPLIES TO EVERYTHING
When considering salvation, ask:
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?
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When considering worship, ask:
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?
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When considering church organization, ask:
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?
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When considering religious titles, ask:
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?
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When considering the work of the church, ask:
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?
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When considering doctrine, ask:
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?
Our traditions do not determine truth.
Our preferences do not determine truth.
Our culture does not determine truth.
Our preacher does not determine truth.
Our congregation does not determine truth.
CHRIST DOES.
THE BIBLICAL PATTERN
CHRIST HAS ALL AUTHORITY
Matthew 28:18
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CHRIST’S WORD IS TRUTH
John 17:17
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THE SPIRIT GUIDED THE APOSTLES INTO TRUTH
John 16:13
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THE CHURCH CONTINUED IN THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE
Acts 2:42
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EVERYTHING MUST BE DONE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
Colossians 3:17
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THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN PRODUCE VAIN WORSHIP
Matthew 15:9
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WE MUST ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST
2 John 9
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THEREFORE, WE MUST ASK:
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?
That question can eliminate a tremendous amount of religious confusion.
Before defending a practice, find its authority.
Before rejecting a command, read what God said.
Before following a tradition, compare it with Scripture.
Before asking whether something is popular, ask whether it is biblical.
GOD HAS SPOKEN
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CHRIST HAS AUTHORITY
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HIS WORD HAS BEEN REVEALED
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OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO FOLLOW IT
THAT IS THE PATTERN.
Don’t accept that conclusion merely because it is written here.
Open your Bible.
Examine these passages in their context.
Then apply the same question to everything you believe and practice religiously:
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV)
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
The Biblical Pattern
Biblical Studies & Books by Kevin L. Walker
TheBiblicalPattern.com
The Biblical Pattern 