Men recognize a need for authority in the home, school, business and nation; surely it is needed in religion. Recently I shared with you my lesson in authority in business at a young age. The word authority is translated from the Greek word EXOUSIA (from the impersonal verb exesit "it is lawful") Authority is the right to exercise power or the power of rule of government, the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others. We must recognize the need for authority and have respect for the authority once it has been established.
The Chief Priests and Elders of the Jews recognized the need for authority. They asked Jesus, By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" (Matt 21:23-27) Their question shows two things: (A) Their recognition of need for authority in religion. (B) That such authority must come from one who has the rightful power to grant it. Jesus answered them with the question: "The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" His answer shows that there are only two sources of authority -- i.E., heaven and men: or divine and human. In life, this brings back Bob Hubley's favorite question, "Who authorized it?"