Our Lord Jesus possesses all authority in heaven and in earth, as Jesus so states in Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power (authority ASV) is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” It would behoove us to respect and to submit to his authority, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Authority is vitally, essential, and critical in the religious realm. Notice the discussion on authority in Matt.21:23ff, “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?” Now the Jews saw the need for authority and that this authority must come from correct place. Jesus asked them a question, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?” vs.24-25. Authority either comes from heaven or from men, as seen in the example of John’s baptism. Now beloved, all of us should examine the things that we practice in religious matters, is the authority to do it, from heaven or from men? If it is from heaven we ought to be able to give book, chapter and verse for what we practice, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17. To do a thing in the name of the Lord is to do it by his authority. May we illustrate by a few examples:
Sprinkling for baptism, is it from heaven or of men? It is from men. Observing the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week, from heaven or of men? It is from heaven, Ac.20:7. Baptism by immersion, is it from heaven or from men? It is from heaven, Rm.6:4. A special clergy class, is it from heaven or from men? It is from men. Dearly beloved, the Lord is going to reject all those who reject his authority, Mt.7:21-23, Mt.15:1-14, Col.2:8, II Jn.9.
— Dan McKibben
