What the Bible Says About Authority

Bible

North Forest

We are not to be deceived by false teachers (Col 2:18-19). We do this by holding on to Christ, the Head of His body. The direct context of this reference to Christ as our authority is false teachers and heresy (Col 2:20,22). Thus, we are to follow the ordinances of Christ which are given by Christ's authoritative representatives. This is the source of Church authority.

The apostles had authority over the Christians of that day (2 Pet 3:2). Note that at the time Peter wrote this there was no New Testament, the teaching was verbal (Tradition). It was the authoritative teaching of those chosen by Christ (the apostles) who were the authority. Certainly the apostles are to be our authority even today. But since they are no longer with us they must have passed-on their authority via ordination. Remember that it took hundreds of years before there was a New Testament. Who would the Christians have listened to during these years if not the successors to the apostles?

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John Shepard

email: js16@northforest.org

http://www.northforest.org/bible/Authority.html

Revised: July 26, 2005