When Jesus needed an answer, he always went to the Word and not to traditions, which he often condemned. That is good enough for me.
Very good point.
Jesus had three points of authority:
The Holy Spirit-inspired Old Testament
His Father. Two examples:
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:24.
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. (John 8:28)
The third source of authority for Jesus wasn't the traditions of men, or the Church (other than the authority He gave to forgive or retain sins in Matthew 18)...it was HIMSELF!!!
Read through Matthew 5 and read all the "You have heard it said...but I tell you..." phrases. (He gives more "But I tell you" authoritative phrases in Matt. 11:22-24; 12:36; 17:12; John 16:7, etc.).
The problem with those who think that church authority resides in either Rome or Salt Lake City is that they ignore Jesus' clear teaching that "ALL" authority was given to Him (Matt 28:18); that although He physically ascended, He promises to remain with His disciples until the end of the Age (Matt 28:20); and that Christ is the "head of the body" (Col. 1:18)--"the head of the church, his body" (Eph. 5:23).
(So why do Catholics plainly ignore Paul's apostolic authority to proclaim Christ as Head?)
Jesus also believed in submitting to authority. Rebellion comes from Satan.