The Authority of Jesus

Question 1

What is the view of Jesus being God’s Authority based on?

Answer 1

Jesus’ new testament claims to have divine authority

Question 2

In what ways was Jesus’ divine authority expressed?

Answer 2

• His teachings
• His miracles
• His titles; the Son of God, the Messiah, the Son of Man

Question 3

Give a quotation supporting Jesus’ divine authority

Answer 3

‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me’ Matthew 28 18 (Jesus speaking to Matthew)

Question 4

How was Jesus’ authority seen through teaching?

Answer 4

• Those experiencing Jesus’ teachings were in awe of what he said and the manner of his teachings
• Jesus taught ‘as the one who had authority, not as teachers of the law’
• Those who believed in him were convinced this authority came from God

Question 5

How was Jesus’ authority seen through his healing?

Answer 5

• Jesus’ healing of the centurion’s servant
• The centurion recognised the authority of Jesus over healing and compared it to his authority over his soldiers under him
• Jesus only had to say one word to heal, just like he had to say one word for instant obedience

Question 6

What does the title ‘Son of God’ say about Jesus?

Answer 6

• In the old testament it was used towards kings in the context of ‘reflecting the nature of’
• By the time of Jesus it was linked with the title ‘Messiah’, which included the idea of being chosen by God to rule on his behalf

Question 7

What does the title ‘Son of Man’ say about Jesus?

Answer 7

• It’s an ambiguous term. In the old testament it could mean he was a human being representative of humanity - or a supernatural figure bringing God’s judgement
• it was his preferred title; it’s ambiguity meant he was less likely to be thought as a power figure
• He used it to describe his role of ‘suffering servant’

Question 8

What does the title ‘Son of Man’ say about Jesus?

Answer 8

• It’s an ambiguous term. In the old testament it could mean he was a human being representative of humanity - or a supernatural figure bringing God’s judgement
• it was his preferred title; it’s ambiguity meant he was less likely to be thought as a power figure
• He used it to describe his role of ‘suffering servant’

Question 9

How is Jesus viewed as a Role model?

Answer 9

• All Christians view Jesus as a role model.
• They believe that they should seek to emulate his life of self-giving love, which reflected his teaching that the two greatest commandments are agape and love of thy neighbours