Episode 121 – Rabbis and Disciples Pt 5: Having Authority

In the Gospels, people were always commenting on Jesus’s authority. It was clear to everyone that he had it. Some marveled at it, while others scoffed at it. The Scribes and Pharisees even questioned it. But what exactly did they mean by authority? How did Jesus understand it? And does that enhance our understanding of what happens with the Great Commission in Matthew 28? Without question! Welcome to an explosive episode where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’s biblical authority and how discipleship with Jesus’s authority leads to the life that God desires for us all.

Discussion Questions

  • What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
  • We’ve all met people who had authority by virtue of their role or position. But who is someone you’ve met that may or may not have had a role or position but nevertheless possessed an unmistakable gift or life-giving presence?
  • What are your thoughts about the following statement? Most of us have been taught to understand salvation as the finish line rather than the starting line to a life of discipleship.
  • How do you feel about the idea that Jesus ordained you and has given you his authority?
  • In what ways are/have you been sharing the depth of the life you’ve received and learned from Jesus with others?
  • How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

The New Testament and Rabbinic Judaism by David Daube – p. 206-223

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10 Comments

  1. Lori Briesemeister January 26, 2021 at 7:49 am - Reply

    As always I again come away with deeper understanding of Jesus & a renewed desire to learn & grow & serve! One takeaway is what it means to be yoked with Jesus. I believe I have heard that it was a Rabbi’s teaching & interpretation of scripture but I think today it just really sunk in.

    • Brad Gray February 10, 2021 at 11:58 am - Reply

      Well, then you’re really going to enjoy Part 8 in this series, Lori. It’s all on Jesus’s yoke! Stay tuned.

  2. Rich Gilbert January 26, 2021 at 8:30 pm - Reply

    Thanks much! So good, as usual.

  3. Georgann GIUDICE January 28, 2021 at 8:02 am - Reply

    My mind is always stimulated by your teaching but more importantly my spirit is always uplifted, encouraged and challenged to “Walk the Text Well.” Thank you.

    • Brad Gray February 10, 2021 at 11:57 am - Reply

      We bless God for that immensely, Georgann! Thank you for sharing this.

  4. Dave Wright January 28, 2021 at 10:40 am - Reply

    Hey Brad. This teaching was familiar to me but most of the teaching visuals were new to my brain ( except from recent Teaching Series episodes). BUT the pictures of Mt. Arbel and the view from it toward the Sea of Galilee were very familiar from our trip to Israel. What a memorable experience you led for all of us! So after listening to this teaching I pulled out my notebook from that trip and turned to the Mt. Arbel notes. What a joy to read back thru your teaching presented on that beautiful hike. I had four pages of notes! They mirrored much of this episodes’ teaching ONLY WE WERE THERE WHERE JESUS DID THESE THINGS! Wow! Re-reading my notes brought back those wonderful, even thrilling, feelings of being where Jesus was and reinforcing that teaching. Thanks both for the Teaching Series and that great trip! I still hope to go on the Turkey trip!

    • Brad Gray February 10, 2021 at 11:57 am - Reply

      So great to hear, Dave! Thank you for sharing these thoughts and reflections. I wish I could take everyone to Mt. Arbel and do the teaching from there 🙂

  5. BILL BLACK January 28, 2021 at 11:41 am - Reply

    How do you feel about the idea that Jesus ordained you and has given you his authority?
    1. Disciples still looked and acted like Jews do and did, so would we not then do the same since the only way to be a disciple is to do the TORAH, thus making us look like and act like-go to Synagogue, actually do Passover and the feasts, Jewish looking?
    Scary to many, due to the false teachings we have been under!

    • Brad Gray February 10, 2021 at 11:55 am - Reply

      The disciples did in fact still live a Jewish life since they were Jewish. However, one of the misunderstandings of the New Testament is thinking that Paul was advocating for Gentile Christians to act like Jews and for Messianic Jews to act like Gentiles (meaning to give up their Jewish Heritage and practices). Yes, Jews and Gentiles were “one in Christ Jesus” but that didn’t mean they were supposed to observe the same traditions. Messianic Jews were called to remain Jews (meaning they continued to eat kosher, observe the Sabbath, undergo circumcision, etc.) and Gentile Christians were not mandated to observe those traditions (per Acts 15 and many other passages, such as Colossians 2:16-17). It’s something we’ll be addressing in the future at WTT since this is a challenging subject matter to unpack, and we want to show how to interpret it appropriately.

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