By What Authority

Introduction:
(Matthew 21:23–27) Jesus entered Jerusalem during the final week before His crucifixion. He cleansed the temple, healed the blind and the lame, and caused the fig tree to wither. As He taught in the temple, the Jewish leaders challenged Him with two questions: “By what authority are You doing these things?” and “Who gave You this authority?” Jesus’ reply revealed a vital truth — in matters of religion, there are only two possible sources of authority: God or man. Every act of faith and worship falls under one of these two origins.

False Standards of Religious Authority (Man’s)
Many today base their faith and practice on sources that God never approved. One of these is the conscience. Paul once claimed to have lived in all good conscience before God (Acts 23:1), yet later confessed, “I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). His conscience did not make him right — it only reflected what he believed. Our conscience must be trained by God’s word to be reliable.

Others rely on their feelings. Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21–23 that many would call Him “Lord” and even perform mighty works in His name, yet He would declare, “I never knew you.” They felt saved, but they were not. Proverbs 16:25 teaches, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Feelings may accompany truth, but they do not determine it.

Another false standard is man-made tradition. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, saying, “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:7–9). Human traditions have produced countless denominations and divisions because people have followed men instead of God. We must never put our hope in uninspired leaders, councils, or creeds, but in the word of the Lord.

The Chain of Authority
Ultimate authority originates with the Godhead because our very existence comes from Him. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 28). He is the divine King whose word governs every aspect of life and godliness.

Christ delegated authority to His apostles, granting them the power to bind and loose according to heaven’s will (Matthew 16:19). This divine authority also extended to inspired prophets who revealed God’s mysteries by the Spirit (Ephesians 3:3–5).

Because these inspired men recorded God’s revealed will, the Scriptures themselves carry divine authority. Jesus said of His apostles, “They have received the words which You gave Me” (John 17:8). Paul praised the Thessalonians for receiving his words “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Every word of Scripture is God-breathed and profitable (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, when we open the Bible, we are hearing the voice of God Himself.

God’s Law of Authority
God has never accepted worship or service based on human authority. Everything done “in the name of the Lord” must be done by His authority (Colossians 3:17; Acts 4:7–10). Faith governs all that we do as Christians, and faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Thus, we must walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). Where there is no word from God, there can be no faith, and without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). Every practice must therefore have a clear “Thus saith the Lord.”

When anyone goes beyond the teaching of Christ, he severs his fellowship with God (2 John 9). To act in religion based on human authority alone is to sin and stand condemned. These are serious and eternal matters.

Conclusion
Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered unauthorized fire that God had not commanded. They were consumed for their presumption. We, too, must be certain that every act of worship, doctrine, and religious practice we engage in has divine authority. Only by standing upon God’s revealed word can we be sure that He is pleased.

By What Authority Sermon Outline:

• Introduction: Matthew 21:23–27 — The question of authority in religion

  • Jesus confronted by Jewish leaders

  • Only two sources of authority: God or man

   

• I. False Standards of Religious Authority

  • Conscience: Acts 23:1; Acts 26:9 — Conscience must be guided by God’s word

  • Feelings: Matthew 7:21–23; Proverbs 16:25 — Feelings deceive when not grounded in truth

  • Tradition: Matthew 15:7–9 — Man-made doctrines lead to vain worship

   

• II. The Chain of Authority

  • Godhead: The ultimate source — Creator of all things

  • Christ: All authority given to Him — Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 28

  • Apostles and Prophets: Authorized to reveal God’s will — Matthew 16:19; Ephesians 3:3–5

  • Scripture: Inspired record of divine truth — John 17:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16

   

• III. God’s Law of Authority

  • Acting by Christ’s authority: Colossians 3:17; Acts 4:7–10

  • Walking by faith: 2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6

  • Warning against going beyond doctrine: 2 John 9

   

• Conclusion:

  • Example of Nadab and Abihu — unauthorized fire, Leviticus 10:1–2

  • Every act must be by divine authority

  • Our salvation depends upon obedience to God’s word

   

Call to Action:
Let every believer examine the foundation of their faith. Ask: “By what authority do I believe, teach, and practice these things?” If the answer cannot be found in God’s word, it cannot be of God. Let us resolve to speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where it is silent, doing all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

• Every act of faith must rest upon divine authority (Matthew 21:23–27).

• Human standards—conscience, feelings, tradition—cannot replace Scripture (Acts 26:9; Matthew 15:7–9).

• Christ alone possesses all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18).

• True faith comes only from God’s word (Romans 10:17).

• To act without scriptural authority is to sin (2 John 9).

Scripture Reference List:

• Matthew 21:23–27 – Jesus challenged by the chief priests regarding His authority.

• Acts 23:1; Acts 26:9 – Paul’s conscience before and after conversion.

• Matthew 7:21–23 – False confidence in religious works.

• Proverbs 16:25 – The danger of trusting human wisdom.

• Matthew 15:7–9 – The vanity of man-made doctrines.

• Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 28 – Christ’s supreme authority.

• Matthew 16:19; Ephesians 3:3–5 – Authority of the apostles and prophets.

• John 17:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16 – Inspiration and authority of Scripture.

• Colossians 3:17; Acts 4:7–10 – Acting by the authority of Christ.

• Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:6 – Walking by faith through the word.

• 2 John 9 – Warning against going beyond Christ’s teaching.

• Leviticus 10:1–2 – Nadab and Abihu’s unauthorized fire.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

Authority