It is recorded of Jesus, "He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Authority! The word rings out its own meaning. It tells us of power and enforcement and obedience to law. It is charged with conviction. It lifts us mentally and rouses us to attention.
The fundamental fact regarding authority is that it is never inherent in a person, but always in Principle. Therefore, to express authority is to express the humility indicated in Jesus' words, "I can of mine own self do nothing." This statement was indissolubly connected in Jesus' thought with his statement, "I and my Father are one." The key to his authoritative thinking and acting reposes in these two statements.
With the knowledge that Spirit, God, is All, spiritual authority is seen to be the only authority. It is expressive of the Word of God. The Word of God and the spiritual authority inherent in it are inseparable. Thus it is that with divine authority one may declare the Word of God.
