All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me...
All Authority
Perhaps the scripture that speaks most to me in this matter is the Great Commission (Matthew 16-20). Oftentimes we just look at the specification of the commission and forget that all commissions must have a source of authority. As a commissioned officer, my commissions were either from the President of the United States or the Congress of the United States depending upon whether I was a reserve or regular officer. The commission is a transfer of a portion of that authority. In my case, I was commissioned to act on behalf of the United States of America. That was the authority that commissioned me.
In the great commission, Jesus states in the 18th verse that all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me. These words are not just filler, waiting for the good stuff. These are the authority for our commission. All authority—think about it—all authority has been given to Jesus. Look at the grammatical construction here. This is the past perfect tense. The authority is already reposed in Jesus and it continues into the future—as do our commissions.
What could say Jesus is Lord more than Jesus himself! He stated clearly in the presence of his disciples that God had given him all authority. Jesus is Lord!
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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." Matthew 28:16-20 NIV
This survey explores and confirms that this is a very viable thread throughout the gospels, epistles, and eschatology of the New Testament. Decide for yourself if you agree with Dr. Rustenhaven and myself, that the message of the New Testament is JESUS IS LORD!
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Here are some articles that look at the very challenging book of James.
Photo - psbchurch.org
How about something from the Gospel of Matthew
About being a servant in a society that says, that dog don't hunt.
What do you call a guy with degrees in Political Science and Biblical Studies? What do you call someone that served as a Marine Officer for over 20 years and now pastors a church? What do you call someone with this unique perspective of the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God?
Most folks just call me Tom.
Take a look on the political side, try A Good Read.
Check out a leadership mix of Pastor, Parent, Marine, and American in Forward Deployed.
Photo credit (top of page): http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Jesus%27%20Death,%20Resurrection%20and%20Ascention/images/jesus_before_his_ascention.jpg
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