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Authority of the Bible
It would not take long once reading a few pages of the Bible to know there is a superior authority behind this reading: An authority exalted above the created universe. An authority over the highest and noblest intelligence of man.
The authority of the Bible is God’s direction and rule over man. It is this authority which provides mankind a standard, pattern, rule, regulation, command, authorization (approval to do something), legislation, mandate, or sanction. It also means confidence, security, certainty, conviction, truth, or evidence in a world where people vacillate, doubt, and live a double-standard.
The greatest controversy of our day is centered upon who has and will have the authority. The basis of the controversy is a conflict with God and Satan (Genesis 3). The battleground is our minds (Galatians 5.16-18). Within this controversy is division of areas in life where we want to have the authority ourselves, and where we want to give some authority to God. Some might relinquish authority to God in religion and spiritual matters, then want freedom to outline their own paths with their money, marriage, health, etc. Romans 13.11 says, “Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is NO POWER BUT OF GOD.” God has authority in ALL matters, not only in spiritual things (Revelation 4.11). This is why 1 John 4.1 gives a sober warning: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God.”
Jesus brought the authority of God to the earth, and He states His authority over everything (Matthew 28.18). In Him is preeminence over all (Colossians 1.18; Revelation 5.12). An apostle named Peter noted Jesus’ authority in Acts 2.36 as “both Lord and Christ” over everything related to man. Another apostle named Paul echoed this in Ephesians 1.20-23 by saying Jesus is “far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.”
Whether you and I accept it or not, like it or not, want it or not, God’s word is the authority over everything about us (attitudes, beliefs, beginnings, ends, relationships, etc.).
Note the Bible’s claim for itself which verifies its authority from God to man. “The Old Testament alone affirms 3,808 times that it is transmitting the very words of God” (Rene Pache, The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, p. 37). Thousands of times the Bible says, “Thus saith the Lord” (Isaiah 66.1) or “The word of the Lord came to me saying...” (Jeremiah 2.1). These statements are either truths or lies. They are either the word from God or subjective conclusions as the word of God.
Other biblical claims are found in 2 Peter 1.20-21, 2 Timothy 3.16-17, and 1 Corinthians 2.6-13. Note the evidence of authority in Matthew 10.18-20, where the apostles are given assurance of what they will speak: “...Yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.” Later, Jesus expresses to His apostles His authority after He is to “go away” in John 16.7-16: “I go away...the Comforter...I will send Him unto you...the Spirit of Truth is come, He shall guide you into all the truth: for He shall not speak from Himself; but what things soever He shall hear, these shall He speak: and He shall declare unto you the things that are to come.” All of these words provide more evidence of God’s authority revealed to man, not from man to himself.
As you speak with people about important spiritual matters today, there are questions among many regarding what God’s will is for their lives. The Bible reveals that information. 1 Thessalonians 4.3 says, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication.” 1 Thessalonians 5.18 says, “...in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.” 1 Peter 2.13,15 sets forth a Christina’s obligations toward ivil rulers in subjecting to the ordinances of man “for so is the will of God.” The Bible clearly expresses God’s will for man (Ecclesiastes 12.13). It would be a great assumption on our part to think we know or can guess what we believe GOd’s will is for our lives. Without investigating His word, where God’s will is expressed, you will never know His will.
John 7.17 says, “If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.” Is that you? Is that me? Do we want God’s authority in all things? Do we desire His will and not our own? According to Psalm 143.10, we should want God to “teach [us] to do Thy will; for Thou art [our] God.” Therefore, our professed claims of believing and knowing God are not valid without hearing what is His revealed will. One thing is certain: Without doing His will, we fail to enter the kingdom (Matthew 7.21). God has the right to command. He is in charge. This is the moment of decision for us all to put our lives under the authority of God. Do what’s right.
