To understand the authority of Jesus further, we need to see a little more about His teaching. As we read the other parts of the Bible, we can see how submitted these inspired writers were to Jesus. There is never a question as to who they saw themselves being. They knew that Jesus spoke with all final authority. What we have in the Gospels is the foundation upon which all the rest of the Bible is built. The reason for this is because Jesus is God and the rest of the writers were inspired servants of God.

While it is true that He controlled what they wrote, He also chose what He said. In other words, He handpicked the words He wanted us hearing directly from His mouth. By Him choosing these words, He put His personal priority on them. The other parts of the Bible may build on His words; but, they cannot hold equality with His words. The Gospels represent the part of the inspired Word of God that God spoke personally. That is why He spoke with authority. He spoke with authority because He IS the authority.

Mat 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey EVERYTHING I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore....” He is the authority in heaven and on earth. Any authority has to come through Him.

The Bible has authority because Jesus gave it that authority. All AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore what?

Therefore:

1. Go and make disciples of all nations.
2. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
3. Teaching them to obey EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.

Everybody else, no matter who they are, does what they do because Jesus gives or doesn’t give them the authority to do so. We must learn directly from the life and mouth of Jesus. He alone can validate, empower, and perform His life and ministry through our life and ministry. If we don’t obey His words and yield to His life, no other part of the Bible is going to matter. The rest of the Bible can help us do that. But, it all starts with the Gospels; because, it all starts with Jesus. Let YOUR life and ministry be built by Jesus.