The question concerning duly authorized or appointed authority is crucial. Although the question above originated with the chief priests and elders, it remains a good question. What was the Lord’s authority for the things He was doing, and from what or whom did this authority originate? It is under this microscope that everything in life should be examined. The Lord’s authority was Himself (or His Father), and so it should be with the New Testament believer. Everything believed or done should be believed or done because it is the will of the Lord. Unfortunately, the typical believer today has other competing authorities such as feelings, experience, and even peers that often lead to unscriptural beliefs and works.
Although one individual may possess both power and authority, the two are not identical. Authority is the right or responsibility to do something whereas power is the ability to do something. Unfortunately, the modern versions missed this truth when they translated Matthew 28:18. Instead of properly expressing that because of the resurrection the Lord Jesus had been given all power in heaven and earth, these so-called bibles suggest that He had been instead given authority. The authority already resided with Him, but the resurrection declared Him “to be the Son of God with power” (Romans 1:4). His resurrection from the dead gave Him the power over death by conquering the one who possessed the power of death (Hebrews 2:14).
As Necho, king of Egypt, was on his way to fight against Carchemish, king Josiah of Judah came out against him for battle. Necho assured Josiah that the battle did not involve Judah and that the Lord had commanded him to make haste against the house of Carchemish. In order to turn Josiah’s intervention, Necho reminded Josiah that his intervention would be meddling with the will of God. Josiah refused to listen to the warning and meddled in these matters costing him his life (2 Chronicles 35:22-24). Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, expressed a similar statement when he told his peers that they should let the apostles alone lest they fight against God (Acts 5:34-39).
In Moses’ day, when the people of God were called upon to give to the work of God, they gave abundantly. Ultimately, the men doing God’s work came to Moses suggesting that the people refrain from giving anything more. Any person with the right heart who believes in the work of God will not have to be begged to give. He will give liberally. This type of liberality manifested itself again in the early church. The Bible describes the people of God at that time as being “of one heart and of one soul” (Acts 4:32). Amazingly, many of them sold their houses and lands and brought the money to the apostles (Acts 4:34). This liberality greatly assisted the work of God and helped the people of God.
What a scene! The need was great. The people of God had been challenged to bring gifts so that the tabernacle of God could be built. They began to offer as the Lord had worked in their hearts. Yet, there was seemingly no end to their gifts. Every morning the people brought more offerings unto Moses for the work (Exodus 36:3). The offerings were so much that Bezaleel, Aholiab, and the other wise hearted men came to Moses and requested that the people stop bringing offerings. God so moved on the hearts of the people that they had brought “too much” (Exodus 36:7). Fast-forward to the present day. The work of the ministry requires sufficient money to fund its processes. Could you imagine the astonished look if ever the man of God told the congregation that “We have given too much”?
