Authority Behind Teachers

➡ This is a daily devotion from ‘Your Daily Bread’ where Paul, the voiceover, discusses the authority of religious teachers. He explains how Paul from the Bible was questioned about his authority to teach God’s word. Despite the criticism, Paul insisted that his teachings were not his own opinions but the word of God. The devotion encourages listeners to keep faith and continue to shine their light in the world.

Hello, my name is Paul, and I am the voiceover for a ministry provided to you by Jim Pugh at God Is Government called Your Daily Bread. Taken from Christ’s teaching of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6.11. This is a daily devotion ministry focused not only on uplifting Scripture, but Scripture that will grow your spiritual connection with Christ. We hope that you receive these devotions to uplift you, encourage you, but most importantly, advance your knowledge base of the Holy Scriptures. Today’s focused discussion will be on the authority behind teachers. The Thessalonians, they understood that when Paul preached it was God’s Word, and they didn’t take it as just another opinion from some man, but as the Word of God, which powerfully worked in those who believed.

So, we can establish, I think, rather readily, certainly from Scripture, repeatedly, in the Old and New Testament, the fact that the Church is under the authority of the Lord, and that authority is communicated through His Word, and His Word is communicated through His preachers and teachers. The only authority in the Church is the Lord of the Church, the Living God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, and all that comes from Him is binding. Now all of that is just a walking start to get to the text. Let’s go back to it. What was going on in Corinth? I’ll tell you.

Among many things, Paul was being attacked, as we know, and one of the areas they attacked him, and they attacked him in every area. They attacked his morality, they attacked his credentials, they attacked his integrity, they attacked his honesty, they attacked his message, they said terrible things about his lifestyle, all kinds of things, but one of the things that was at the heart of their assault, false teachers came to Corinth. They wanted to undermine Paul, because everybody believed Paul, he was the great teacher, and they couldn’t teach lies unless they could get rid of Paul.

So they had to discredit Paul, they had to destroy his credibility in the eyes of the people, and one of the things they began to attack was his authority. They would say things like, well, he’s just telling you what he thinks. He doesn’t have any authority. In chapter 3, he refers to the fact that they expected him to have some kind of papers, some paperwork from Jerusalem, that authenticated him. Where is his letter of commendation? They questioned his authority. They said he doesn’t speak for Jesus Christ. How do you know he speaks for Christ? Where does he come off wielding all this power over you, and telling you all these things, and you believe them, and exercising all this authority, and you just acknowledge it? Where does he get this authority? And so at this very point, they systematically attempted to undermine Paul’s authority.

In chapter 2 of this letter, verse 17, he says, we’re not like those false teachers peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. And the very fact that that sentence is such a compound indicates how strongly he wants them to know that he has authority. We speak from God in Christ in the sight of God. That’s an answer to those who were questioning his authority. Chapter 4, in verse 2, he says, here again, answering their accusations. We have renounced the things hidden because of shame.

We are not walking in craftiness. We are not adulterating the word of God. But by manifestation of truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. Before God, he says, we’re speaking truth, not lies and craftiness, not adulterating the word. And again, he’s defending himself against these accusations. Down in verse 5, we do not preach ourselves. You see, that’s exactly what they said. He’s just giving you his own opinion, telling you what he wants. He wants to have power over you. We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond servants for Jesus’ sake.

Over in chapter 6, it’s the same thing. They are questioning his authority. And in verse 7, he says, we speak in purity, or verse 6, in purity, in knowledge. In verse 7, in the word of truth, in the power of God. Chapter 10, verse 8, he even uses the word authority, even if I should boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up. Chapter 13, verse 10, same thing. He says, in accordance, at the end of the verse, with the authority which the Lord gave for building up and not tearing down.

So you can see repeatedly, he answers this attack that questioned his authority. Well, that’s exactly what he’s doing in our text. Look back at verse 3 and 4. The false teachers had convinced the Corinthians, some of them, that Paul lacked authority and should have to prove that he could really say he spoke for Christ. So, verse 3 says, since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, that’s the issue. They were saying, we want some proof that it’s really Christ speaking in you. How do we know it’s not just your opinion? You are just telling us what you want to tell us.

You are just saying, what is your own view and your own idea? How do we know? Give us some proof of the Christ who speaks in you. That was the issue here. Now remember, Paul had already indicated that his concern for his people was repentance, chapter 12, verses 20 and 21. Thank you for joining us in this exploration of the authority behind teachers. Until next time, remember to keep the faith, stay strong and continue to shine your light in the world. To hear these daily devotions of your daily bread, please log on to goddessgovernment.com.

Goodbye, and may your faith always lead the way. [tr:trw].