THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH By James A. Udu

The Source of Authority- God Speaking Through Christ:

• 1. Heb. 1:1-2- New Testament Message and Messenger contrasted with old.
• 2. John 1:17- Moses the lawgiver in Old Testament period Christ in the New
• 3. Matt. 11:27- God revealed through Christ
• 4. John 5:26-27- Authority given to Christ
• 5. John 17:7-8 Christ’s message from God-Jon. 12:49=50

We Are to Be Governed Today by the Authority of Christ, not Moses and the Prophets

• 1. Acts 3:19-23; Mark 9:2-8-”Hear ye Him,”
• 2. Matt. 5:21-22; 5:27-28-”But I say unto you,”
• 3. 1 Cor. 9:21-”Under law to Christ,”

Christ’s  Authority to Be Executed Through His Apostles:

• 1. Matt. 19: 27-28
• 2. Matt. 28:18-20.
• 3. John 20:22-23
• 4. Matt. 16:17-19
• 5. 11 Cor. 5:18-20
• 6. 1 John 4:6

Apostles to be Guided by Holy Spirit:

• 1. John 14:16-17- To be sent to apostles not to world.
• 2. John 14:26-To bring to their remembrance what Christ had taught.
• 3. John 16:7-15- To convict the world through the teaching of Christ.
• 4. Luke 24:49-To wait in Jerusalem for coming.
• 5. Acts 2:1-4, 37-Holy Spirit came and through apostolic preaching did convict women and men

Preaching of Apostles Confirmed by Miracles Mark 16:15-16:

• Heb. 2:1, 4: 1 Cor. 12:28, 31; 1 Cor. 13:8-10.
• These gifts serve temporary purpose of introducing and confirming New Testament Truth.

Completeness of Law Thus Delivered:

• 1. Rom. 1:16-17-Gospel of Christ contains the righteousness of God from “Faith unto Faith,”
• 2. 11 Pet. 1:2-3-through knowledge of Christ furnished unto all things that pertain unto life and godliness.
• 3. 11 Tim. 3:14-17-Furnished completely unto every good work.
• 4. Jude 3-Faith once and for all delivered unto the Saints.
• 5. Rev. 22:18-19- Must not add to or take from

Conclusion:

• The New Testament Scripture containing God’s will revealed through Christ and His chosen ambassadors; guided and confirmed in their message by the Holy Spirit, constitute a complete and perfect rule of Faith and practice for God’s people today- the Divine Constitution of the Kingdom of God.