The Apostles confirm their authority to be both Jesus and the Jewish Scriptures
The New Testament writers frequently affirm that their authority comes from both Jesus and the Old Testament Scriptures. They view Jesus as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies and interpret his life, death, and resurrection through the lens of those Scriptures. Below are some key examples where New Testament authors refer to their reliance on both Jesus’ authority and the Old Testament Scriptures:
1. Jesus gives his Authority to his Apostles
In the Gospels, Jesus directly commissioned his disciples, giving them authority to teach in his name.
The Great Commission
Jesus tells his disciples and subsequent Christians,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20
Here, Jesus establishes his authority and passes this on to his apostles and subsequent generations of Christians to continue his work.
After the resurrection, Jesus says to his disciples,
“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21-23
He also breathes on them to receive the Holy Spirit, showing that their authority comes from him. When Christians are ordained to live for Christ at our baptism we are given the Holy Spirit to enable them to fulfil this task.
Christ as the Foundation
The apostles often describe Jesus as the cornerstone of their teachings and ministry. Paul says,
“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
Here he establishes that his ministry is built on the teachings and person of Jesus.
Peter, in addressing the Jewish leaders, declares that what they had done to Jesus, ‘the cornerstone’ who had been rejected by the builders, the Jewish authorities had been foretold in their Scriptures.
“Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12
This affirmation underlines that the apostles message is rooted both in Jesus’ authority and in that of the Scriptures hence their quotation from Psalm 118:22. The Jews did recognise that the Scriptures were inspired by God.
2. Reliance on the Old Testament Scriptures
Scripture is Prophetic about the Messiah
The New Testament writers continually emphasise that Jesus fulfils Old Testament prophecies, thus linking their message with the authority of the Scriptures. Jesus himself says,
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.” Matthew 5:17-18
This statement reinforces that Jesus’ mission, which the apostles preach, is grounded in the Old Testament.
Peter’s Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:16-36 has several Old Testament quotations, from Joel and the Psalms, to explain the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection and showing that a major message of the Jewish Scriptures is to prepare us for the coming of God’s Messiah who is for the whole world.
Furthermore by using the Scriptures to validate his message, Peter shows that his authority comes from both Jesus and the Old Testament.
Scripture is vital for Teaching and Doctrine
The apostles saw the Old Testament Scriptures as a vital source for Christian teaching and doctrine.
Paul writes,
“ . . . devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture.” 1 Timothy4:13
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Here, Paul highlights that the Old Testament Scriptures remain authoritative and instructive for the Christian community. Indeed Paul goes on to stress that preaching the Word of God is the urgent responsibility of Timothy,
“In the presence of God and Christ Jesus . . . I give you this charge: Preach the Word . . .” 2 Timothy 4:1-2
Paul also says,
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
This passage affirms that the teachings of the Old Testament are still relevant for subsequent generations of Christians and retain God’s authority.
It is only because we have the utterly reliable word of God that we know what it is to be Godly. Paul began his letter to Titus emphasising that God does not lie,
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness - a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” Titus 1:1-2
The impact that Scripture, has on peoples’ consciences is further evidence that they are the word of God. This is stressed in the book of Hebrews,
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Hebrews elsewhere stresses that God the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Scriptures by quoting from Jeremiah 31:34:
“The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Hebrews 10:15-16
3. Combined Authority of Jesus and the Old Testament
The harmony between Jesus and the Scriptures is a repeated theme. Jesus’ teachings are often framed as a continuation and fulfilment of the Old Testament. After his resurrection, Jesus opens the disciples’ minds to understand the scriptures, explaining
“ . . .in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27, 44-45
This passage reinforces that Jesus’ life is a fulfilment of the Old Testament, and the apostles are tasked with sharing that message.
Paul’s Teaching and Apologetics:
In the letters and Acts, Paul frequently uses both Jesus’ authority and the Old Testament to validate his teachings.
In Thessalonica, Paul
“. . . reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead.” Acts 17:2-3
Paul uses Old Testament Scriptures to prove Jesus’ identity and authority as the Messiah.When explaining the gospel message, Paul emphasises,
“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
This statement affirms that both Jesus’ words and the Old Testament scriptures are foundational to the gospel message.
Conclusion
The New Testament writers present both Jesus’ teachings and the Old Testament Scriptures as authoritative. Jesus provides direct teachings and commissions the apostles, while the Old Testament provides the scriptural foundation that points to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises. By intertwining the authority of Jesus with that of the Old Testament, the apostles establish that their message is consistent with the entirety of God’s revelation.
