Christ: The Divine Depository of All Religious Authority (Part 1) by James P. Needham (JPN1@freewwweb.com)

Introduction

No subject is more important than that of religious authority. This is made clear by Jesus' presentation of the judgment scene when some will say, "Lord,

Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23). Iniquity is working without law, or violating existing law. These persons had done "many wonderful works," but by the wrong authority. They claimed to have done them in the name of Christ, that is, by His authority, but Jesus denied it. Jesus did not question their sincerity, or their morals, but their authority. Sincerity, good morals, nor anything else can substitute for the proper authority in religion.

All people understand the necessity of having a singular standard of authority in every realm but religion. We all are happy that we have a singular standard of authority in money, weights, measures, time, etc. What if you went to the bank to cash a check and the teller said, "Come on back and help yourself, we have no standard here." You might think that would be great, but it wouldn't be if your creditor used the standard of 500 or a thousand cents to the dollar.

What if everyone could set his own standard in weights and measures? One merchant uses 16 ounces to the pound and another 26? What if you go to the airport to catch a plane to Chicago scheduled to leave at 12 noon, and the clerk tells you that plane left early this morning. You say, "but my ticket says it was to leave at noon." The clerk says, "Oh, well, we don't use those standards here, we just fly whenever we decide to." Without standards of authority the world would be in hopeless chaos. That is precisely what we have in religion.

Every man is a law unto himself, as in ancient Israel, "...every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). Sincerity, good morals, majority view, good feelings, emotion, etc. are all substitutes men use for the authority of Christ.

1. God's eternal purpose:

God eternally designed that all authority ultimately was to be in Christ Jesus in the present age. Through the Old Testament prophets God revealed His eternal purpose, "... precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" (Isaiah 28:10). In

Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses notified the people that, "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken." Peter applies this passage to Christ: "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people" (Acts 3:22,23, see also Acts 7:37).

2. Jesus manifested His limited authority during His personal ministry:

He constantly used the expression, "Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time... But I say unto you." That His authority was limited during His personal ministry is obvious from several passages. Jesus never claimed "all authority in heaven and on earth" until after His resurrection (Matthew 28:18).

Paul said God's mighty power was "wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:20).

3. The Father attests His authority during His personal ministry:

In the mount of transfiguration Peter wanted to put Christ's authority equal to that of Moses and the prophets but God said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matthew 17:5).

4. Affirmations in the epistles:

"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 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: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:19-23).

"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell" (Colossians 1:18-19).

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:9-10).

Peter said Christ "is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him" (1 Peter 3:22).

"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him" (Ephesians 1:10).

It is necessary to understand that "all" does not always mean all in the absolute sense. All authority in heaven and on earth was given unto Christ, but this does not mean that the Father was made subject to the Son. "For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:27-28).

[Editor's note: Bro. Needham will conclude this lesson next week.]

The following is a satire, but it contains too much truth to be really funny…

NO EXCUSE SUNDAY - Author Unknown (contributed by J. Clark)

(From the Joyful Noiseletter)

To make it possible for everyone to attend church next Sunday, we are going to have a special "No Excuse Sunday." Cots will be placed in the foyer for those who say, "Sunday is my only day to sleep in." There will be a special section with lounge chairs for those who feel that our pews are too hard. Eye drops will be available for those with tired eyes from watching TV late Saturday night. We will have steel helmets for those who say, "The roof would cave in if I ever came to church. "Blankets will be furnished for those who think the church is too cold and fans for those who say it is too hot. Scorecards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites present. Relatives and friends will be in attendance for those who can't go to church and cook dinner, too. We will distribute "Stamp Out Stewardship" buttons for those who feel that the church is always asking for money.

One section will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to seek God in nature. Doctors and nurses will be in attendance for those who plan to be sick on Sunday. The (auditorium) will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who never have seen (a) church without them. We will provide hearing aids for those who can't hear the preacher and cotton for those who can.

Short Exhort - Written and/or Compiled by David J. Riggs
(http://www.public.usit.net/driggs/)

"Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits." (1 Cor. 15:33)

Two men who were friends both purchased parrots for pets. It turned out that one of the parrots was accustomed to singing spiritual songs, while the other used many curse words. The owners thought if they would place the parrot that sang spiritual songs with the one that cursed, the bad habit would be corrected. It turned out in the end that the opposite happened. The good parrot began to also use curse words!

Often Christians think they can associate with wicked people and not be affected. Some even think they need to get involved with evil people so that they can convert them. To the contrary, one does not need to jump into quicksand in order to get someone out of quicksand.

Let us not be deceived. Evil companionships corrupts good morals.