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Biblical Authority and the Lordship of Christ
There are at least four potential sources of authority in religious matters:
- The Church
- Human Reason
- Religious Experience
- The Bible
Of these, all have distinct limitations except for the final one; the Bible. In fact, the first three can only help to illuminate or aid in interpretation of the Bible; they cannot in and of themselves be authoritative.
- How do we know that the Scripture is the Word of God?
Jer 1:9-10, Ez. 2:8-3:4
When a prophet is told to speak; he speaks the Word of God.
2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
Both of these are explicitly referring to the written OT scriptures, but the NT refers to itself as scripture also.
1 Tim 5:18, Dt. 5:4, Luke 10:7
2 Peter 3:14-16
- How are we to know that Scripture is authoritative? How are we to know if we are to follow the teaching of Scripture?
I Sam. 13:8-14
Luke 24: 25-27
John 15:20
If you disobey the word of a prophet, you are disobeying God. If you do not believe in the words of the prophets, then you do not believe the words of God. Likewise, if you are to obey the teaching of Christ, you are to obey the teaching of his disciples also.
- What are the implications of holding the bible as authoritative to the Church? How should we go about evaluating potential ministry opportunities? What about potential teachers?
Acts 7:10-12
Two aspects of authority;
(a) Positive authority; following the commandments and instructions of the scriptures
(b) Negative authority; not recognizing practices or beliefs that have no basis in scripture
- What does it mean to say that Jesus is Lord?
Matt: 24:42, Mark 12:35-37
This has two aspects:
- Kurios is the word used in the Septuagint to translate the Tetragrammaton. The confession means Jesus is God.
- Kurios literally means king or leader. Confessing Jesus as Lord means he has leadership and authority over all aspects of our lives and of the Church.
- What are the implications of this confession for each member of the Church? What are the implications of this confession for the authority exercised in the Church?
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