NOTHING ON HIS OWN

Jesus was given “all authority” from the Father (Mt 28:18). Even though He was “in the beginning with the Father” and Himself “was God” (John 1:1,14), He still was subject to the Father and did “nothing on His own” but “just what the Father taught” Him to do (John 8:28). This is also stated in John 5:19 and in I Cor 11:3 where it speaks of God the father being “the head” of Jesus in the same sense that the husband is head of his wife.
God gave humans the capacity for language. He revealed His will to us by guidance in writing so we could understand what He wants us to do. That is what the Bible is for. It is understandable that we will be judged by what His Holy Spirit has written (2 Tim 3:16-17; Rev 20:12).
We learn His will not only by what is written, but also by what is NOT written. When God specifies what He expects of us in any certain category, His silence about all other options in that category excludes. This is also clear from everyday use of language. Many examples could be given. Saul violated God’s will (I Sam 13:13; Lev 1:7). For this reason Jesus could not be a priest on earth (Heb 7:13-14; Lev 1:7). Nadab and Abihu were killed for not respecting this principle (Lev 10:1-2), and Moses was punished for not respecting it (Num 20:8).
Think about this when you presume to honor a pope or pray through Mary, or worship with mechanical instruments or by clapping, or sprinkling babies for baptism, or celebrate the Lord’s supper quarterly.
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