Religious Authority

• Many religious groups exist and claim to recognize the authority of God.

• Other religious groups exist that recognize the authority of their forefathers.

• Others recognize the authority of their idols.

• And still others recognize authority from their god who they said revealed a message to them.

Religious Authority

If we are to serve the God of creation then we must be able to distinguish

between real authority and false authority.

Religious Authority

1. Religion of fathers:Eastern religions practice a form of this; ancestor worship.• Gal. 1:14 – Paul advanced in the traditions of

his fathers• 1 Peter 1:17-19 – aimlessness comes from

traditions of fathers• Acts 7:51-52 – their fathers persecuted the

prophets• Mark 7:5-13 – traditions of elders and fathers

make the commands of God of no effect

Religious Authority

2. Man’s conscience:• Judges 17:6; 21:25 - In those days there

was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

• Prov. 16:25 – There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

• Jer. 10:23 – O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

Religious Authority

2. Man’s conscience:• Acts 23:1 – Paul thought he was right

in God’s eyes• Gal. 1:13 – Paul was an exemplary

Jew and persecuted the church• Acts 26:9-11 – Paul was honest and

sincere in all of his efforts

Religious Authority

3. Majority decision:• Ex. 23:2 – the crowd can be headed

to do evil• Matt. 7:13-14 – the wide, crowded

road leads to destruction• 1 Kings 18:19-40 – the majority may

not have the truthRom. 8:31 – If God is for us, who can

be against us

Religious Authority

4. Creeds of men:• 1 Cor. 2:5 – faith should not be in the

wisdom of men• Gal. 1:6-8 – the Gospel of Christ has

been perverted by the teaching of men• 2 Tim. 2:17-18 – the doctrine that the

resurrection is already past• 3 John 9-11 – the creed of Diotrephes• Acts 19:21-41 – the creeds of idolatry

Religious Authority

5. The Word of God:• Matt. 17:5 – God said, “Hear Him”• 2 Peter 1:19-21 – the word is

confirmed by the Spirit, not of private interpretation, and not of man

• 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that man may be complete for every good work

Religious Authority

5. The Word of God:• Acts 20:32 – we are built up by the

word of His grace• Rom. 1:16 – it is the power of

salvation• Rev. 22:18-19 – it is unalterable• John 12:48 – we will be judged

according to it

What authority should we follow?What authority should we teach?What authority should we recognize?

• Religion of fathers

• Man’s conscience

• Majority decision• Creeds of men• The Word of God

NO! NO! NO! NO! YES!