Perhaps unknowingly, the Sanhedrin asked their prisoners—Peter and John—the precise question that everyone needs to ask: “By what power or by what name have you done this?” (Acts 4:7). Authority is key! Whether it is what someone says or does, all must be “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). Jesus Christ—and thus, His revealed Word to us (John 12:48)—is the only authority in religious matters today (Matt. 28:18). When you know what your authority is, then you also know clearly what it is not.
Your authority is not what you feel in your heart! Sincere Bible readers will often say something like, “I know that’s what the Bible says, but I just feel in my heart that this [other thing] is what God wants me to do.” Scripture teaches, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). What feels or seems right is not how God measures what is actually right—just ask Naaman (2 Kgs. 5:10-14).
Your authority is not what your pastor or religious commentary says! Sincere Bible readers will often say something like, “I know that’s what the Bible says, but my pastor says/does this [other thing] or I read in this commentary something different.” Scripture teaches, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). What some well-meaning person teaches is not how God imparts His truth—just ask the young prophet (1 Kgs. 13:11-34).
Your authority is not what other churches teach or do! Sincere Bible readers will often say something like, “I know that’s what the Bible says, but this large church over here teaches/does this [other thing] that is different.” Scripture teaches for “all [to] speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). What some influential religious group teaches or does is not God’s standard—just ask Paul (Gal. 5:1-6).
Your authority is not what your grandmother believed! Sincere Bible readers will often say something like, “I know that’s what the Bible says, but my grandmother was the most devout person I’ve ever known and she didn’t believe or follow that [Bible teaching] while she was alive.” Scripture teaches, “He who loves father or [grand] mother more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37). What grandma or any loving relative believed or did is not our authority—just ask Gideon (Judg. 6:25-27).
Ask yourself, “By what authority do you believe what you believe or do what you do?” The Word of God is our ONLY authority today! No other authority will do (Acts 4:12)!