In times such as ours, when authority is misused in government, business, education, and even the church, I need to set an example of what God says about authority. Paul stated clearly that the Lord came to him in a vision while he was on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus. Jesus told him to go to Damascus, and he would be told what he must do. Paul obeyed, learned of his mission, and thus received the authority for it. (Acts 9:1-18)
Paul said that God gives authority, “for building you up rather than pulling you down.” The primary purpose of Paul’s apostolic authority is constructive, for building up, not destructive, for pulling down (the same statement is made again in 13:10). The demands he makes in his letters are written so that they may put right what is amiss and so that things may be proper for his arrival, thus removing the need for severe action (pulling down) and preparing the way for edification (building up).
All authority is located in God is the uniform witness of the Bible. People possess authority only as the Lord gives it (Rom. 13:1). Religious authority derives from the authority of the Father, as that authority is revealed in the Son, manifested by the Holy Spirit, and given to the church and the world through the Bible. While different approaches to that authority existed in church history and are practiced today, Scripture says all legitimate authority comes directly or indirectly from God.
Such a position will have obvious implications for contemporary Christian faith and practice. The church and its ministry possess genuine religious authority only as they serve the mission of Jesus in faithfulness to the Bible and in building up the church (Matt. 28:18-20). The Christian accepts the truth of Scripture as authoritative by faith, and the command of Scripture as authoritative in obedience, and so demonstrates love for the Lord (John 14:15).
