Jesus Used the Scriptures as the Final Authority
The belief that Jesus himself is the final authority has led to doctrinal error and “false doctrines” (1 Timothy 1:3 ISV). On the contrary, according to what we read in the Bible, Jesus used the scriptures as the final authority. How iso?
Examples of how Jesus used the scriptures as the final authority
- Defeating Temptation: When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus answered every challenge from Satan by quoting the Old Testament with the phrase, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4,7,10; Deuteronomy 6:13,16).
- Resolving Disputes: He frequently settled theological debates by pointing directly to the written text, asking questions like, “Have you not read…?” (Matthew 19:4; Matthew 22:31).
- Affirming Reliability: He declared that the Scriptures “cannot be broken” (John 10:35) and that not the smallest letter or stroke would pass from the Law until all was accomplished (Matthew 5:18).
- Correcting Human Tradition: He rebuked religious leaders for letting their own oral traditions nullify the clear commands of God’s written Word (Mark 7:8–13; Matthew 22:29).
- Fulfillment of His Mission: He viewed His own life, suffering, and resurrection as the necessary fulfillment of what the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had written about Him (Luke 24:44; John 5:39).
Jesus used the scriptures as his authority, thus proving the final authority lies, not with Jesus, but with the scriptures.
Jesus admitted he isn’t the final authority
Jesus himself freely admitted that he is not the final authority:
”He will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority”—John 7:17 ESV