The Authority of The Bible
The teaching of the Lord Jesus was challenged by his enemies, not just because of its content, but also on the ground of its origin. We read that "the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?" (Matthew 21:23). Now the question was a legitimate one, even if the motive behind it was evil. Furthermore, it is a question that those who claim to be Christians must expect others to ask - as well as ask it of themselves. By what authority do we do the things we do, or teach the things that we teach? It is not simply a matter of being "ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15), but of knowing the basis of that hope as well.