Absolute Authority Belongs to Christ

Authority means having the right to command and direct. Authority began with God before the beginning of time.

Absolute authority was given to God’s Son. Jesus said, “ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20)

Did Jesus really mean ‘ALL’ authority in heaven and on earth? Yes! Is that what God really meant? Yes! (See Matt. 17:1-4, 5; Deut. 17:15-19)

God has given to Christ absolute authority over all affairs of the church. God’s Son is the lawgiver to His people today! “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Heb 1:1-2)

God put all things under Jesus’ feet and gave him as “head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Eph 1:22-23) Notice that word picture! Jesus is the HEAD of His BODY; the church. The head rules the body!

A simple application of that profound truth means, we can act in the church ONLY by the authority of Christ. Why? The head controls the body; that head is Christ! Our head is not one of the OT prophets; it is not Moses, the law giver to the Israelites. It is God’s only begotten Son. “Jesus is the only One who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save people.” (Acts 4:12) We are saved according to what He says only!

The Gospel OF CHRIST is the “power of God unto salvation.” (Rom 1:16) “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the TEACHING OF CHRIST does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9)

Friends we cannot go back to the Law of Moses for authority. “Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God’s grace.” (Gal 5:4)