The AUTHORITY IS THE CHURCH.
READ MATTHEW 28.
JESUS GAVE HIS AUTHORITY TO THE CHURCH TO TEACH AND BAPTIZE.
THE CHURCH, BY IT’S AUTHORITY DETERMINED THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE.
NO ONE IS TOLD TO READ THE SCRIPTURES AND DETERMINE DOCTRINE BASED ON WHAT THEY READ.
ACTS 8 TELLS US HOW CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES UNLESS SOMEONE EXPLAINS IT TO US?
One of the things that people most marveled at about Jesus was that he “spoke with authority”... whereas the scribes and Pharisees did NOT when they taught.
Jesus said he was under the Father’s authority and he therefore spoke with an authority that no one had ever encountered...... ‘All things are under Christ’s authority’ ...and we as His sons and daughters have His authority because he gave it to us.
Therefore, we can preach the good news to the poor,... proclaim freedom to the prisoners,... recovery of sight to the blind, ..release the oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Whatever we do, we do in his name and for His glory. It is not simply a matter of faith. It is a matter of acting on His behalf, with His authority, and for that reason alone, He moves.
The more confidence we have in trusting that we are His agents....His ambassadors to the world around us.... the more He will be able to move through us.
(author unknown)
This is where I stand on the issue of authority....