Understanding Apostolic Authority in the New Testament
Summary
In our exploration of the New Testament canon, we delved into a prevalent misconception: the belief that the New Testament writers were unaware they were authoring Scripture. This misconception is shared by both Christians and non-Christians, scholars and laypeople alike. The narrative often goes that the New Testament books were initially written as occasional documents without any intention of being authoritative, and only later did the church recognize them as Scripture. However, this view significantly impacts our understanding of the canon's dating and the nature of these books.
The misconception suggests a long gap between the writing of these books and their recognition as Scripture, implying that the church had the authority to bestow Scriptural status upon them. This perspective dangerously elevates the church's authority above Scripture itself. Instead, we must recognize that the New Testament authors were aware of their authority, as they were passing along authoritative apostolic teaching. This teaching was rooted in the apostles' role as Christ's representatives, speaking and acting on His behalf.
Examining the writings of Paul, we see clear evidence of his awareness of his apostolic authority. In Galatians, Paul asserts his apostolic status as directly from Jesus Christ, not from human sources. In 1 Thessalonians, he refers to his teachings as the Word of God, and in 1 Corinthians, he declares his writings as commands of the Lord. These examples demonstrate that Paul and his audience understood his letters as bearing divine authority.
Similarly, the Gospels reflect an awareness of their Scriptural nature. Matthew's genealogy connects his Gospel to the Old Testament narrative, indicating a continuation of Scripture. John's Gospel identifies its author as the beloved disciple, the apostle John, lending it apostolic authority. Luke, though not an apostle, situates his Gospel within the apostolic tradition, drawing from eyewitness accounts.
The book of Hebrews, despite its anonymous authorship, aligns itself with apostolic teaching, and Revelation explicitly claims to be a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. These examples collectively affirm that the New Testament writers were conscious of their role in conveying authoritative apostolic tradition.
Understanding this reshapes our perception of the canon's emergence. The New Testament books were recognized as authoritative from the outset, not because the church conferred authority upon them, but because they inherently possessed divine authority. The church's role was to recognize what was already divinely inspired and given to God's people.
Key Takeaways:
- The misconception that New Testament writers were unaware of their Scriptural authority affects our understanding of the canon's dating and nature. Recognizing their awareness reshapes our perception of the canon's emergence. [00:51]
- Paul's writings, such as in Galatians and 1 Thessalonians, demonstrate his awareness of his apostolic authority, as he equates his teachings with the Word of God and commands of the Lord. [09:08]
- The Gospels, including Matthew, John, and Luke, reflect an awareness of their Scriptural nature, with Matthew continuing the biblical narrative and John and Luke aligning with apostolic tradition. [14:13]
- The book of Hebrews, despite its anonymous authorship, aligns itself with apostolic teaching, and Revelation explicitly claims to be a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. [19:39]
- The New Testament books were recognized as authoritative from the outset, not because the church conferred authority upon them, but because they inherently possessed divine authority. [22:34]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Misconceptions
- [00:34] - Widespread Misconception
- [01:13] - Misconception Narrative
- [02:01] - Authority and Intention
- [02:37] - Importance of Correcting Misconceptions
- [03:24] - Impact on Canon Dating
- [04:06] - Authority and Church's Role
- [04:38] - Apostolic Teaching
- [05:22] - Apostolic Authority in the Early Church
- [06:21] - Evidence of Apostolic Awareness
- [06:56] - Paul's Apostolic Authority
- [07:39] - Paul's Letters as Authoritative
- [09:08] - Paul's Gospel and Authority
- [10:14] - Paul's Teachings as Word of God
- [11:24] - Paul's Command of the Lord
- [13:22] - Gospels and Scriptural Awareness
- [14:13] - Matthew's Genealogy and Continuation
- [15:08] - John's Apostolic Authority
- [16:22] - Luke's Apostolic Tradition
- [18:31] - Hebrews and Apostolic Connection
- [19:58] - Revelation's Inspired Prophecy
- [21:39] - Conclusion and Canon's Authority
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 1:1-12
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
3. 1 Corinthians 14:37-38
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Observation Questions:
1. In Galatians 1:1, how does Paul describe the source of his apostolic authority? What significance does this have for his message? [08:15]
2. According to 1 Thessalonians 2:13, how did the Thessalonians receive Paul's teachings, and what does this imply about their understanding of his authority? [10:14]
3. In 1 Corinthians 14:37, what does Paul claim about the nature of his writings, and how does he expect the readers to respond? [11:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the misconception about the New Testament writers' awareness of their authority, and what impact does this have on our understanding of the canon? [00:51]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Paul's assertion of receiving his gospel through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12) suggest about the nature of his message and its authority? [09:08]
2. How does the reception of Paul's teachings as the "Word of God" in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 challenge the misconception that the New Testament writings were not initially seen as authoritative? [10:14]
3. In what ways does Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 14:37 that his writings are a "command of the Lord" influence our understanding of apostolic authority and its recognition by the early church? [11:44]
4. How does the sermon argue that the New Testament writers were aware of their role in conveying authoritative apostolic tradition, and what evidence is provided to support this claim? [06:21]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you may have underestimated the authority of Scripture in your life. How can recognizing the divine authority of the New Testament writings change your approach to reading and applying the Bible? [22:34]
2. Consider the misconception that the church conferred authority on the New Testament books. How does understanding that these books inherently possessed divine authority affect your view of church tradition and Scripture? [04:06]
3. How can you ensure that you are receiving and responding to biblical teachings as the "Word of God" rather than merely human advice? What practical steps can you take to deepen your reverence for Scripture? [10:14]
4. In what ways can you actively recognize and submit to the authority of Scripture in your daily decisions and interactions? Identify a specific area in your life where this might be challenging. [12:23]
5. How does the understanding that the New Testament writers were aware of their authoritative role impact your confidence in the reliability and authenticity of the Bible? How can this confidence influence your conversations with others about faith? [21:39]
6. Reflect on the role of apostolic teaching in your spiritual growth. How can you incorporate more of this teaching into your personal study or group discussions to strengthen your faith foundation? [05:22]
7. How can you help others in your community or church correct misconceptions about the authority and formation of the New Testament canon? What resources or conversations might be helpful in this effort? [02:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Apostolic Awareness in Scripture
The misconception that New Testament writers were unaware of their Scriptural authority affects our understanding of the canon's dating and nature. Recognizing their awareness reshapes our perception of the canon's emergence. The belief that these texts were merely occasional documents later recognized as Scripture elevates the church's authority above Scripture itself. However, the New Testament authors were conscious of their role in conveying authoritative apostolic tradition, rooted in their role as Christ's representatives. This understanding affirms that the New Testament books were recognized as authoritative from the outset, not because the church conferred authority upon them, but because they inherently possessed divine authority. [00:51]
2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV): "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: How does recognizing the inherent authority of the New Testament writings change your view of Scripture's role in your life today?
Day 2: Paul's Consciousness of Apostolic Authority
Paul's writings, such as in Galatians and 1 Thessalonians, demonstrate his awareness of his apostolic authority, as he equates his teachings with the Word of God and commands of the Lord. In Galatians, Paul asserts his apostolic status as directly from Jesus Christ, not from human sources. In 1 Thessalonians, he refers to his teachings as the Word of God, and in 1 Corinthians, he declares his writings as commands of the Lord. These examples show that Paul and his audience understood his letters as bearing divine authority, affirming the early recognition of their Scriptural nature. [09:08]
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV): "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively acknowledge and apply the authority of Paul's teachings in your daily decisions and interactions?
Day 3: The Gospels' Scriptural Awareness
The Gospels, including Matthew, John, and Luke, reflect an awareness of their Scriptural nature, with Matthew continuing the biblical narrative and John and Luke aligning with apostolic tradition. Matthew's genealogy connects his Gospel to the Old Testament, indicating a continuation of Scripture. John's Gospel identifies its author as the beloved disciple, lending it apostolic authority. Luke, though not an apostle, situates his Gospel within the apostolic tradition, drawing from eyewitness accounts. These elements highlight the Gospels' conscious role in conveying authoritative teachings. [14:13]
Luke 1:1-4 (ESV): "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the Gospels' authority by exploring their connections to the Old Testament and apostolic tradition?
Day 4: Hebrews and Revelation's Apostolic Connection
The book of Hebrews, despite its anonymous authorship, aligns itself with apostolic teaching, and Revelation explicitly claims to be a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. Hebrews draws on the rich theological tradition of the apostles, while Revelation presents itself as a prophetic vision given to John. These writings affirm their place within the canon by their alignment with apostolic authority and their inherent divine inspiration, reinforcing the early church's recognition of their Scriptural status. [19:39]
Hebrews 2:3-4 (ESV): "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."
Reflection: What steps can you take to explore the depth of Hebrews and Revelation's teachings in your spiritual journey?
Day 5: The Inherent Authority of New Testament Writings
The New Testament books were recognized as authoritative from the outset, not because the church conferred authority upon them, but because they inherently possessed divine authority. This understanding emphasizes that the church's role was to recognize what was already divinely inspired and given to God's people. The early church's recognition of these texts as Scripture was a response to their inherent authority, rooted in the apostolic tradition and the teachings of Jesus Christ. [22:34]
1 Corinthians 14:37-38 (ESV): "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the divine authority of the New Testament in your personal study and communal worship?
Quotes
Well, let me warmly welcome you back to our series on the New Testament canon. We're working our way through a number of issues. And in, in this session, actually, I want to do something maybe a little unexpected. I want to talk in this session about one of the biggest misconceptions about the origins of the New Testament canon. [00:00:05]
Many people mistakenly believe that when the New Testament writers wrote, they had no idea they were writing Scripture. I'll say that again. The misconception I want to deal with is this idea that when the New Testament writers wrote, they had no idea they were writing Scripture. [00:00:51]
If you believe that the New Testament authors did not knowingly write Scripture when they wrote, then someone ends up sort of believing that Scriptural status is something given to a book later that it doesn't start off as Scripture, but it becomes Scripture. But if it becomes Scripture, how did it become Scripture? [00:03:40]
I want to suggest to you that the New Testament writers are going to articulate it this way. They're going to indicate that what they're doing in their books is passing along authoritative apostolic teaching. Authoritative apostolic teaching. Why would they say it that way? [00:04:59]
So, if someone asks, "Well, would they have called their own book Scripture?" Well, in some senses, they did do this. You may remember yesterday, we looked at this very interesting passage in 2 Peter 3:15-16 where he actually calls, Peter calls Paul's books Scripture. [00:05:39]
Paul here in this opening part of Galatians says, "Not only am I an apostle, but you have to understand something. I didn't get my apostolic status because some other guy gave it to me. I didn't get my apostolic status from a human being like another apostle, perhaps. It wasn't a horizontal act; it was a vertical act from God to me through Jesus Christ." [00:08:26]
Here's an amazing thing, is that Paul equates the teachings that he delivers to his churches and the teachings in his own letter as God's Word. Now, when someone says, "Oh, New Testament writers didn't know they were writing Scripture." Well, maybe they didn't use that word, but they used the word "Word of God." [00:10:20]
Listen to what he says here: "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual," listen to these words, "he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord." I'll read that again. "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord." [00:11:39]
To write a Gospel with a genealogy is basically Matthew saying that "what I'm writing to you is continuing the biblical story, the biblical story that ended in the Old Testament, I'm picking up where it left off and I'm continuing that biblical narrative." Even secular scholars have agreed to this. [00:13:58]
Regardless, this beloved disciple figure is the author of the Gospel of John. Why should I listen to this author? Well, if you do the math in John's Gospel, and you go back through and you start looking to see who this beloved disciple is, it becomes very clear who he is. He is in fact the apostle John. [00:15:26]
Here's what he says, basically says, "I got my information from 'those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word. They had delivered this to us.'" Now, when you hear that, you think, "Well, who are these eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word that have been there from the beginning?" And the answer is obvious. Those were the apostles. [00:17:22]
In fact, in the very first line of the book, he tells us that he's writing inspired prophecy. He tells us that he's received an apocalypse, a revelation from Jesus Christ that he's passing along to his audience. In fact, there's very little doubt that anybody reading the book of Revelation would think, "I am reading a direct revelation from Jesus when I'm reading this book. [00:20:22]
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