Authority

This issue of the FGB presents the theme of Authority. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones announces our world’s desperate need of it. Stephen Charnock mines the Scriptures to display God’s absolute authority, and Jeff Pollard declares that God’s authority is revealed in the infallible, Spirit-breathed Word. In his second article, Dr. Lloyd-Jones takes up the subject of Christ’s authority manifested in His glorious Lordship. Benjamin Warfield describes how Jesus appointed His apostles, who lived and ministered with Him, to write the Gospels and the other New Testament writings. The Lord wanted His gospel call to salvation to spread throughout the world. Jean-Marc Berthoud teaches us about the importance of Christ’s authority in local churches. Now, do pastors, elders, and undershepherds have real authority in Christ’s churches? Arthur Pink clearly affirms and explains the necessity of such authority. In accord with this, elders have the responsibility of preaching God’s authoritative Word to Christ’s blood-bought people, ever setting the beauty and glory of His crucifixion and resurrection before them. Fathers too have authority, and Richard Baxter shows them how to use it to the glory of God and the good of their families. What about civil government? James Renihan shows us from Scripture and the 1689 Confession that magistrates are God’s authorized servants. Finally, C. H. Spurgeon blesses us with a moving declaration of Christ’s authority to save sinners!