Christian Authority

Your OP is a loaded question.

I quote the Bible when someone asks me, "Why do you do this...?"
Some Scripture is straightforward and clear to everyone who hears it, like,

“You have heard that it was said to those of old,
But I [Jesus] say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her
has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28 NKJV

That should be pretty clear & straightforward to most believers.

But not all teachings which are straightforward are easy to abide by.
If we clearly understand them to be of God,
we may have to get out of our comfort zone to align with them.
That isn't "bondage to traditions."
It is discipleship.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

• good and
• acceptable and
• perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2 NKJV

We need to ask God to change our way of thinking so it is more in line with His.

Other times, believers will have ideas and their Scriptural support will not be so clear & straightforward to you. It is okay, in those times, to disagree with their conclusions. Even if they turn out to be right, later, the Holy Spirit has not taught you that lesson, yet.

I answer the claims to those who would say that one aspect of the Bible is not a rule book (or law book) in this thread here:

Is it correct to say, "One aspect of the Bible is that it is like a rule book"?

GallagherM said:

Hello you and welcome,

What are your thoughts on using the Bible as authority?

There are many people out there in the world today, even online that will take the Bible and use scriptures out of context and will act as thought it has some type of authority, why is that?

What purpose does the Bible have if it’s used to make demands and place people up under bondage, even to traditions of man?

Why not use the Bible and seek truth; rather than demand, asking there questions.

How, What, When,Where,And Why?

Rather than using the scripture as a demand of must do this, must do that as though it is a law book.

What use will it bring to a person who takes charge with a Bible in hand that makes demands? Manipulation, deception, false realities?

What other ways do you think the Bible can be used instead for the benefit of others, do you have any thoughts?

Is the Bible really holding any authority; or is the Bible actually more of a tool on how to live simply by the spirit and to grow that spiritual by growing in the knowledge of God and Christ, realize the word; growing; growing is more beneficial than hindering isn’t it?

Thoughts?

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The scriptures have authority in so far as we are conformed to the image of Christ. That is, the bible has authority in so far as our use of it contributes to love of God and neighbor. If it doesn't do that for us,, it has no authority in relation to us.

If someone tells me it has authority, but they don't love God or neighbor, I know they don't know what they're talking about.

Besides the Bible benefiting other people it glorifies and pleases God. There really is no other purpose to the Bible other than these two reasons (that I can think of currently). For the Bible is for the purpose of man to have faith in God in what He says. For without faith, it is impossible to please Him (God); And faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). This would be hearing the words of Jesus (or the Living Word who was made flesh). Even those who hear the followers of Jesus is the same as hearing Jesus (See: Luke 10:16). The words of Jesus and His followers are found in the Bible.

God wants us to have a relationship with Him.
This is by the Bible.
We first need to by faith be saved by God's grace by faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior, and in believing in the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Then we must continue in the faith and obey Jesus. For if we do not receive the words of Jesus, those words will judge us on the last day (See: John 12:48). Some think you can sin and still be saved on some level by having a belief alone in Jesus, but that is not how salvation works and or in having a relationship with God (See: 1 John 2:3-4, and 1 John 5:12).

Is the Bible an authority?

Yes.

The Holy Bible claims to be the revelation of the Lord our God.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

The Bible has many fulfilled prophecies showing that it indeed an authority of God Himself.

There are many evidences that also back up God's Word in being divine in origin, as well (Which again shows that the Bible truly is an authority).

Love Branch: Evidences for the Word of God

The Lord our God is not also a passive God whereby He just lets us get away with doing whatever we please. Satanism actually says “do what thou wilt.” The Lord our God is good and He does not tell us do whatever we please. God has given us many commands to fulfill His purpose and will and to walk in His love. Don't believe me? Just read the gospels more closely, and believe what is written (without trying to change what our Lord says).

So if the Bible is an authority, surely God would not let the Bible speak for itself. God desires His people to preach the Word.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).

We are messengers of God's Word. Remember, according to Luke 10:16, if nobody hears us by God's Word, then they are not hearing Jesus. Jesus is the name above all names.

Jesus says, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (See: Matthew 28:18).

Jesus is God, and He has all authority.
We get the words of Jesus from the Bible, and thus we can speak with authority the words of Jesus to others. But we will not ultimately judge anyone. We don't make the rules. The Lord our God does. Jesus will judge men. But God wants us to preach His words to others, though. These words are an authority because they come from God.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 says,
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

The power of God is an authority.
God's words with the working of His Spirit have power to change people's lives.
This is God.
The ultimate authority.

So in conclusion:

Yes, the Bible can be preached with authority because those words are authoritative in that they come from God and He desires for us to preach His Word (See: 2 Timothy 4:2).

GallagherM said:

Hello you and welcome,

What are your thoughts on using the Bible as authority?

There are many people out there in the world today, even online that will take the Bible and use scriptures out of context and will act as thought it has some type of authority, why is that?

Click to expand...

What purpose does the Bible have if it’s used to make demands and place people up under bondage, even to traditions of man?

Click to expand...

You cannot make the argument that the Bible is useless or incorrect simply because some people misuse it. That would be like insisting that medicine should never be dispensed to sick people since some medicines can be used to kill or harm people when administered as an overdose.

Is the Bible really holding any authority; or is the Bible actually more of a tool on how to live simply by the spirit and to grow that spiritual by growing in the knowledge of God and Christ, realize the word; growing; growing is more beneficial than hindering isn’t it?

Thoughts?

Click to expand...

If the Bible is really the revealed word of God, and if it flatly informs us of its purpose (as it does), then it must be authoritative.

@GallagherM

I would encourage you to check out this Bible by Pastor Alan Ballou.


Please keep in mind that I do not believe everything that Alan Ballou teaches. But I do agree with him on Sola Scriptura and godliness.

GallagherM said:

Hello you and welcome,

What are your thoughts on using the Bible as authority?

There are many people out there in the world today, even online that will take the Bible and use scriptures out of context and will act as thought it has some type of authority, why is that?

What purpose does the Bible have if it’s used to make demands and place people up under bondage, even to traditions of man?

Why not use the Bible and seek truth; rather than demand, asking there questions.

How, What, When,Where,And Why?

Rather than using the scripture as a demand of must do this, must do that as though it is a law book.

What use will it bring to a person who takes charge with a Bible in hand that makes demands? Manipulation, deception, false realities?

What other ways do you think the Bible can be used instead for the benefit of others, do you have any thoughts?

Is the Bible really holding any authority; or is the Bible actually more of a tool on how to live simply by the spirit and to grow that spiritual by growing in the knowledge of God and Christ, realize the word; growing; growing is more beneficial than hindering isn’t it?

Thoughts?

Click to expand...

God does have a government and yes He has laws .... because without law there is lawlessness.

However, Gods first priority is Love.

The bible contains a lot of history and the principles of how we are to treat one another and our relationship with our creator. Prophecy stated in it is important.

His laws produce harmony ..... they are laws of love.

The bible is the revelation of Himself and the history of mankind and what will happen in the future.

Authority? You better believe it ;o)

You know how Jesus has used authority of God's word, in order to take authority over Satan > it is written.

And our Apostle Paul has given us things and has said, as it is written . . . using authority of God's word even to support what he is giving by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. So, in the Bible God's word is used to give authority to things of God's word; so if it is Biblical to use God's word to have authority with God, then certainly it is right to use the Bible to have authority in a good way with people . . . not merely to control them, but to bless us and encourage us with all God desires to do and share with us.

So, yes it is Biblical to use God's word to take authority over Satan and with people. But no this does not mean we may use the Bible to force and control people.

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

From this, I see that God wants us to lead by authority of good example. His word, then, gives authority to godly example. You can use the Bible to tell people how God desires to bless people, and use the authority of yourself as an example of how He is doing this.

Albion said:

You cannot make the argument that the Bible is useless or incorrect simply because some people misuse it. That would be like insisting that medicine should never be dispensed to sick people since some medicines can be used to kill or harm people when administered as an overdose.


If the Bible is really the revealed word of God, and if it flatly informs us of its purpose (as it does), then it must be authoritative.

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Amen !

GallagherM said:

I do not believe in sola scriptura. Because to me that in itself is a man made doctrine; and if anything shouldn’t you take everything literally if that is the case of using that man-made doctrine?

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sola scriptura meant Scripture was the supreme authority over the church. It did not mean Scripture was the only authority. Luther, Calvin, and the other reformers used other authorities like reason and tradition. They developed arguments using logic (reason) and learned from the writings of past Christians (tradition) as they explored the Bible. Yet the Bible was the supreme authority that ruled reason and tradition because Scripture alone was infallible precisely because it is God’s word. All other authorities (including church leadership) were fallible and must submit to Scripture. As Heinrich Bullinger said: “As God’s word is confirmed by no human authority, so no human power is able to weaken its strength”gospelcoalition

Do you believe the bold red above ?

If so you believe in sola scriptura, if not you deny the Authority of Scripture and its Infallibility.

hope this helps !!!

GallagherM said:

Considering my view of Satan not sure what he has to do with anything; for he was cast in the lake of fire.

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When did that happen ?

GallagherM said:

@Albion you should know I do not consider the Bible to be useless.

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I was just responding to the proposition you asked us to consider. It wasn't an evaluation of anyone in particular.