The Basis of Our Authority
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Key Verse: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Spirit]: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Selected Scripture: |
JESUS’ EARTHLY MINISTRY was finished. He had faithfully laid down his perfect human life in sacrifice as a corresponding price for Adam’s sin, and had subsequently died for all mankind. He was now dead, and lying in the grave. Yet the religious leaders of Israel continued to conspire against him. This lesson deals with that conspiracy. “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”—Matt. 27:62-66
While the Master’s enemies spoke of him as ‘that deceiver,’ the Heavenly Father’s mighty power was about to be made manifest. The greatest event in the history of the world was the resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the grave. None of the human barriers erected were able to impede this event. The Father raised him to a life far more grand than that of a perfect man—even to the Divine nature next to Himself. This was his reward for so faithfully laying down his life in sacrifice as the Savior of the whole human family.
The details of events surrounding the resurrection are thrilling! (Matt. 28:1-10) This was not the sentiment of his enemies, who persisted in covering up the events that were unfolding. The chief priests and elders were alarmed with the news from some of the men who had guarded Jesus’ tomb. As a result, they met to discuss the situation and decided to offer the tomb guards a large sum of money to hide the truth. They were told to say that the disciples came under cover of darkness and stole Jesus’ body. They were further assured that if they were questioned by Pilate concerning the matter, they would be safe from reprisal.—Matt. 28:11-14
The power and purposes of God are not to be tampered with. Jesus’ resurrection was a reality, and his followers were witnesses to that fact. He said: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matt. 28:18) He further commissioned his followers to take the message of truth to all nations, and taught that they should continue to observe the many lessons they had learned during his earthly ministry. His comforting assurance was that he would be with his followers, even unto the end of the Gospel Age. “The Word of God is quick, and powerful, … piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.”—Heb. 4:12
This is the basis of our authority—the sure Word of God!