Authority

Nearly everyone has heard of the Sermon on the Mount found in chapters 5 to 7 of Matthew.  Those who heard it were surprised by the authority with which Jesus spoke.

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.  (Matthew 7:28-29)

The scribes frequently cited other teachers as proof of the truth of their words.  Jesus didn’t do this but simply asserted that certain things were true.  Two times in the sermon he even claimed that he was God.

Are the words of Jesus enough?

Most Christians believe that the entire Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, is the inspired word of God.  It is all we need to understand and serve  God and we need all of it.  I have encountered some who believe that all we need are the words Jesus spoke while he was on earth.  They believe that the words of Paul and the other writers of the New Testament are of no value whatever.  Which view is correct?

A relationship with Jesus

Here is something I read on Facebook.

A relationship with Jesus

by Emily Thomes

“I told the staff today that I have a deeply personal relationship with God that I do not proselytize about, but I do, and I have been working that relationship tremendously, which I do anyway, but I’ve been focused on it intensely for the past couple of weeks..” – Rush Limbaugh