Articles
What Standard of Authority Should We Follow in Religious Matters (2)
What Standard Of Authority Should We
Follow In Religious Matters (2)
By Greg King
Jesus once asked, “The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men” (Matthew 21:25). By posing such a question Jesus was actually showing that in religious affairs there are only two sources of authority for what men do. All religious teachings and practices come either “from heaven” (i.e. they come from God) or “from men” (they are man-made). There are no other choices.
Today as we look at the religious world around us we see division and confusion. Why is it that men are so divided in their religious practices? We suggest that one of the main causes of religious division can be summarized in this statement: men are divided because they actually follow different standards of authority.
Each of us understands the need to have certain absolute “standards” in various matters in society that are unrelated to religion. For example, we buy milk in gallon or ½ gallon containers. There are 12 inches in a foot. A cup is 8 fluid ounces. There are 8 cups in a half gallon and 16 cups in 1 gallon. All of these measurements are simply absolute, objective, unchanging standards. If there were no such standards in society and everybody just “did his own thing” when it came to measuring things, chaos would result.
It’s the same way in religion. When folks do not go by one absolute, unchanging standard in their teaching and practices, then confusion and division is unavoidable. It is always wise to ask this question: What Standard Of Authority Should We Follow In Matters Of Religion? Some want to follow the traditions on men. In our day great multitudes follow the traditions of men in their service to God. So many have the idea that, if their parents or forefathers “believed a certain way,” then they ought to do the same. But blindly accepting and imitating the religious practices of our family members is not a safe practice. Why? Because all humans, including our family members, make mistakes. Not only this, the traditions of men often conflict with the teachings of the Bible. In all that we do, “We ought to obey God, rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
Think about the apostle Paul. Before he became a follower of Christ he very zealously followed the traditions of his fathers. Hear what he said about his former life: “And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers” (Galatians 1:14). Yes, Paul followed the traditions of men, but was he pleasing to God when he did so? No! During the time that Paul was striving to follow his family’s traditions, the Lord’s messenger told him, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). This plainly shows that Paul was not saved, even though he was sincerely doing things the way his family and forefathers had done them.
In our service to Christ, following the traditions of men is not the way of salvation. Who says so? Jesus Himself. He said, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mk. 7:7).
