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Extrabiblical Sources and Divine Authority in Christianity

Divine authority in Christianity is understood as the power and right of God to command, judge, and act, a concept deeply rooted in biblical texts and further expounded in theological discourse. This authority is attributed to God as the Divine Being, often referred to by the Hebrew terms El, Eloah, and Elohim, which convey strength, and Jehovah, rendered as "LORD" in many English translations [2]. The Bible takes the existence of God for granted, rather than arguing for it [2].

The power of God, an attribute of His divine nature, is described as great, strong, glorious, mighty, everlasting, sovereign, effectual, irresistible, and incomparable [3]. This power is expressed through various biblical metaphors, such as the "Voice of God," "Finger of God," "Hand of God," and "Arm of God," and is also referred to as the "thunder of his power" [3].

Jesus Christ is presented as a central figure in the exercise of divine authority. As the Son of God, His power is identified as the power of God [1]. Scripture indicates that all authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth [1]. This authority is described as supreme, unlimited, and extending over all flesh and all things [1]. The Tyndale House commentary on Matthew 28:18 notes that Jesus' authority is power delegated from the Father [10]. Similarly, the Tyndale House commentary on Mark 11:28 explains that Jesus' authority encompasses His divine right to cast out demons, heal, forgive sins, and cleanse the Temple [8]. His power and authority are understood to transcend all rival powers, whether human or spiritual, in the present age and the age to come [11].

The manifestation of divine power is evident in creation, where Christ is depicted as the agent through whom all things were made and are upheld [1]. His power is also demonstrated in salvation, His teaching, and His working of miracles [1]. The prophet Micah states, "But as for me, I am full of power by the Spirit of Yahweh, and of judgment, and of might, to declare to Jacob his disobedience, and to Israel his sin" [7]. This highlights the Spirit's role in empowering prophetic declaration.

The concept of divine power is also linked to the experience of believers. John Gill, in his commentary on Ephesians 1:19, discusses the "exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe." This power is understood to be exerted in the implantation and continuance of faith, and in the ultimate completion of the work of salvation in believers [9]. The Tyndale House commentary on 2 Peter 1:3 notes that "His divine power has" given believers everything needed for life and godliness, suggesting that this power is active in their spiritual growth [15].

Beyond the direct actions of God and Christ, the concept of divine authority extends to the inspiration of Holy Scripture. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines inspiration as "that extraordinary or supernatural divine influence vouchsafed to those who wrote the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible" [4]. This means that "Every scripture inspired of God" (2 Timothy 3:16, RV) is "theopneustic," or "breathed into by God," ensuring that the writers were supernaturally guided to express exactly what God intended as a revelation of His mind and will [4]. This understanding establishes the Bible as the authoritative word of God, not merely as works of human genius [4].

The witness of God to His own authority is also seen in "signs and wonders" performed by Christ and His apostles [12]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Hebrews 2:4 explains that "signs" are proofs of a divine mission, "wonders" are miracles causing astonishment, and "powers" are evidences of superhuman power [12]. These miraculous manifestations serve as attestations to the divine origin of the message and the messenger [12].

The "favour of God" is another aspect of divine authority, described as the source of mercy and spiritual life [6]. Christ is the special object of this favor [6]. Spiritual wisdom, mercy, and truth are said to lead to God's favor, which saints can obtain, be encompassed by, strengthened by, and preserved through [6].

The recognition of God's authority is not limited to direct revelation. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Romans 1:20 states that "the invisible things of him from... the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" [13]. This suggests that the created world serves as an interpreter of faith in God, making His attributes intelligible through observation [13]. This "outer revelation" complements the "inner revelation" of God within human consciousness [13].

The concept of divine authority also implies God's sovereignty and control over all things. The power of God is described as irresistible [3]. This sovereignty is further highlighted in the context of despair, which can be produced in the wicked by divine judgments [5]. However, for the righteous, trust in God serves as a preservative against despair, even when tempted by it [5].

The excellency of Christ, as described by John Gill on Exodus 15:7, further underscores divine authority. Christ possesses a "greatness of excellency" that surpasses angels and all human ministries, whether as prophet, priest, or king [14]. His operations are superlatively excellent, having achieved a most excellent righteousness and salvation for His people [14]. This inherent excellence is a foundation for His divine authority.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of Christ, The — As the Son of God, is the power of God -- Joh 5:17-19; 10:28-30. As man, is from the Father -- Ac 10:38. Described as Supreme. -- Eph 1:20,21; 1Pe 3:22. Unlimited. -- Mt 28:18. Over all flesh. -- Joh 17:2. Over all things. -- Joh 3:35; Eph 1:22. Glorious. -- 2Th 1:9. Everlasting. -- 1Ti 6:16. Is able to subdue all things -- Php 3:21. Exhibited in Creation. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. Upholding all things. -- Col 1:17; Heb 1:3. Salvation. -- Isa 63:1; Heb 7:25. His teaching. -- Mt 7:28,29; Lu 4:32. Working miracles. -- Mt 8:27; Lu 5:17. Enabling ot”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Inspiration — That extraordinary or supernatural divine influence vouchsafed to those who wrote the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (R.V., "Every scripture inspired of God"), 2 Tim. 3:16. This is true of all the "sacred writings," not in the sense of their being works of genius or of supernatural insight, but as "theopneustic," i.e., "breathed into by God" in such a sense that the writers were supernaturally guided to express exactly what God intended them to express as a revelation of his mind and ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Despair — Produced in the wicked by divine judgments -- De 28:34,67; Re 9:6; 16:10. Leads to Continuing in sin. -- Jer 2:25; 18:12. Blasphemy. -- Isa 8:21; Re 16:10,11. Shall seize upon the wicked at the appearing of Christ -- Re 6:16. Saints sometimes tempted to -- Job 7:6; La 3:18. Saints enabled to overcome -- 2Co 4:8,9. Trust in God, a preservative against -- Ps 42:5,11. Exemplified Cain. -- Ge 4:13,14. Ahithophel. -- 2Sa 17:23. Judas. -- Mt 27:5.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Favour of God, The — Christ the special object of -- Lu 2:52. Is the source of Mercy. -- Isa 60:10. Spiritual life. -- Ps 30:5. Spiritual wisdom leads to -- Pr 8:35. Mercy and truth lead to -- Pr 3:3,4. Saints Obtain. -- Pr 12:2. Encompassed by. -- Ps 5:12. Strengthened by. -- Ps 30:7. Victorious through. -- Ps 44:3. Preserved through. -- Job 10:12. Exalted in. -- Ps 89:17. Sometimes tempted to doubt. -- Ps 77:7. Domestic blessings traced to -- Pr 18:22. Disappointment of enemies an assured evidence of -- Ps 41:11. Given in answer to prayer -- Job 33:26. Pray for -- ”
  7. Micah “But as for me, I am full of power by the Spirit of Yahweh, and of judgment, and of might, to declare to Jacob his disobedience, and to Israel his sin. -- Micah 3:8”
  8. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 11:28: 11:28 Jesus’ authority includes his divine authority to cast out demons (1:22, 27; 5:1-13), heal (1:29–2:12; 5:21-43), forgive sins (2:10), and now cleanse the Temple. Jesus’ authority clearly was from God, but the religious leaders were unwilling to accept it.”
  9. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:19: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,.... The objects of the divine power here intended, are believers in Christ; which distinguishes this power from that which was put forth in creation, and from that which will be displayed in the resurrection of the dead, and from the power of divine wrath, which will appear in the damnation of sinners; and shows, that this power is that which is exerted in the implantation of faith, and in the continuance of it, and in the finishing of that work; and that this is a great power, an exceeding gr”
  10. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 28:18: 28:18 Jesus’ authority is power delegated from the Father (see 7:29; 9:6-8; 21:23-27; 26:64; John 3:35).”
  11. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:21: 1:21 he is far above: Jesus’ power and authority transcend all rival powers, whether human or spiritual, in this age and the coming age (see 3:10; 6:12; John 12:31; Rom 8:38-39; 1 Cor 15:24; Col 1:13; 2:10, 15; 1 Pet 3:22; Rev 12:7-9).”
  12. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 2:4: them--rather, "God also [as well as Christ, Heb 2:3] bearing witness to it," &c., joining in attestation of it." signs and wonders--performed by Christ and His apostles. "Signs" and miracles, or other facts regarded as proofs of a divine mission; "wonders" are miracles viewed as prodigies, causing astonishment (Act 2:22, Act 2:33); "powers" are miracles viewed as evidences of superhuman power. divers miracles--Greek, "varied (miraculous) powers" (Co2 12:12) granted to the apostles after the ascension. gifts, &c.--Greek, "distributions." The gift ”
  13. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 1:20: For the invisible things of him from--or "since" the creation of the world are clearly seen--the mind brightly beholding what the eye cannot discern. being understood by the things that are made--Thus, the outward creation is not the parent but the interpreter of our faith in God. That faith has its primary sources within our own breast (Rom 1:19); but it becomes an intelligible and articulate conviction only through what we observe around us ("by the things which are made," Rom 1:20). And thus are the inner and the outer revelation of God the comp”
  14. Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 15:7: And in the greatness of thine excellency,.... Christ has an excellency in him, a greatness of excellency, a superlative one; he has a more excellent name and nature than the angels, being a divine Person; and a more excellent ministry, as man and Mediator, than any of the sons of men, as prophet, priest, and King; and is superlatively excellent in his operations, has wrought out a most excellent righteousness, offered up a more excellent sacrifice than ever was offered, and obtained a great, glorious, and excellent salvation for his people; in consequence of which is ”
  15. 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 1:3: 1:3-11 An explanation of all that God has given us in Christ (1:3-4) forms the basis for an urgent exhortation to grow in the knowledge of Christ (1:5-11). 1:3 By his divine power, God has (literally His divine power has): The name of God does not occur in the Greek text; Peter could be referring to the divine power of “Jesus our Lord” (1:2).”
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