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In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the
prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these
last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who he appointed
heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."
(Hebrews 1:1, 2).
The New Testament writer Matthew tells us about that time when God showed His approval of His Son. On this occasion Moses, Old Testament lawgiver, and Elijah, Old Testament prophet, were with Christ on a mountain. Matthew writes,
"While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped
them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son,
whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’"
(Matthew 17:5).
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18).
How much authority in heaven and earth belongs to Jesus Christ? All authority! Therefore, we must not accept anything as true and divine in religion which does not agree with Jesus' authority. By His authority Jesus has given us all of the teaching we need in order to be saved and live Christian lives acceptable to God. Read John 6:68; 69; 17:3; 2 Peter 1:3.
The supreme authority of Jesus Christ is revealed in the superior place given Him by our Heavenly Father. The apostle Paul writes,
"Which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the
dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly
realms, far above all rule and authority, power and
dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in
the present age but also in the one to come. And God
placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be
head over everything for the church, which is his body, the
fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
(Ephesians 1:20-23).
Accepting the authority of Jesus Christ further means accepting the authority of the New Testament teachings of His apostles. To reject the apostles' teaching is to reject Christ's authority (Luke 10:16). The apostles were the Lord's personal messengers, or witnesses, on earth. To these inspired spokesmen Jesus declared,
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on
you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8).
The apostle Paul wrote,
"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were
making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s
behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20).
John, speaking for himself, and all the other apostles, declared,
"We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but
whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is now
we recognize the Spirit of truth and the sprit of
falsehood." (1 John 4:6).
The person who accepts the authority of Jesus Christ will also accept the New Testament teachings which came through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Before He left the earth to return to His Father in heaven, the Lord promised to send to His apostles the Holy Spirit to bear witness of Jesus Christ and instruct them in His teachings and authority so that they could proclaim him and his teachings to men (John 14:26; 15:26, 27; 16:13). Through New Testament teachings the Holy Spirit convicts people "in regard to sin righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:7-11).
The Holy Spirit, in guiding the apostles in all truth, always expressed the authority and glory of Jesus Christ. Jesus promised His apostles:
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you
into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will
speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet
to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is
mine and making it known to you" (John 16:13, 14).
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