“The Church’s Authority”
Acts 1:15-26
Sermon Series: “The Church”
Introduction: Obviously, this is a historical event that cannot or does not need to be reproduced. So, what is the abiding lesson or principle for us as the church and individual Christians today? I think it teaches us about what the church’s authority is and how it operates in our lives and churches today. Let’s examine that subject.
1. The church’s authority is the Lordship of Jesus. Verse 24-25 says, “And they prayed and said, ‘You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place’.” The Lordship of Christ is expressed through them calling Him Lord and when they said it was His choice as far as who replaced Judas. We need to realize that Jesus is the Head of the church (Colossians 1:18) and Lord over every believer (Romans 10:9, Luke 6:46), which gives Him the right to tell us what to do. Good, godly decision-making is finding out what He wants us to do and doing it. That begins with acknowledging His authority to tell us what to do though.
2. The will of the Lord Jesus is revealed through Scripture. Peter led them to make this decision through showing them what Scripture had to say about the situation with Judas. He said in verse 16, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas…”. This is a crystal clear statement of the inspiration of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:14-17), and because Scripture is the inspired Word of God, it also the authoritative Word of God. This means that when the Bible speaks, God speaks, and what He says goes. Jesus is Lord, the Bible is His Word, and this means that Scripture is authoritative because Jesus is telling us what to do through His Word.
3. The church’s human leaders lead God’s people into God’s will under the Lordship of Christ and according to Scripture. This is what Peter did in this situation and what elders are called to do today (Acts 13:1-3, 14:23, 20:17ff.). Pastors are not the ultimate authority, but they have delegated authority that is valid as long as they are leading people to obey Jesus by following His Word.
Conclusion-Application:
1. Specific areas where we have to decide about obedience and surrendering to the Lord’s authority
2. Discerning God’s will
A. Scripture
B. Wisdom (from the application of Scripture)
C. Prayer
D. The leading of the Holy Spirit
E. Godly counsel
3. The bottom line issue is whether or not we are going to obey or disobey (submit to His authority or rebel against His authority)
4. How this relates to the gospel
5. How this relates to repentance in the Christian life
6. Why would we do this?
A. He is the authority, and we will acknowledge it sooner or later.
B. Resurrection
C. We reap what we sow.
D. He loves us as is demonstrated by the cross which shows that He wants what is best for us (Romans 8).
E. Life only works right when we line ourselves up under His authority (Matthew 7).
