The authority of apostolic teaching is a foundational concept in Christian theology, emphasizing the role of the apostles as divinely appointed messengers and teachers of the gospel. This authority is rooted in the commission given by Jesus Christ and is affirmed throughout the New Testament.

Divine Commissioning

The apostles were directly chosen and commissioned by Jesus Christ, granting them unique authority to teach and establish doctrine. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commands His disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). This Great Commission underscores the apostles' role as authoritative teachers of Christ's commands.

Witnesses of the Resurrection

A key aspect of apostolic authority is their role as eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. In Acts 1:21-22, Peter emphasizes the necessity of choosing a new apostle to replace Judas, stating, "Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection" . This eyewitness testimony is foundational to their authority, as it validates their message and teachings.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit

The apostles' teachings are further authenticated by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all truth, as recorded in John 16:13: "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come" . This divine guidance ensured that their teachings were not merely human opinions but were inspired by God.

Foundation of the Church

The apostolic teachings serve as the foundation of the Christian Church. Ephesians 2:19-20 states, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone" . The apostles' teachings, alongside the prophets, form the doctrinal bedrock upon which the Church is built, with Christ as the cornerstone.

Apostolic Writings as Scripture

The writings of the apostles are considered Scripture and hold authoritative status within the Christian canon. The Apostle Peter acknowledges the writings of Paul as Scripture in 2 Peter 3:15-16: "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction" . This recognition of apostolic writings as Scripture underscores their authority in teaching and doctrine.

Guardians of Doctrine

The apostles were charged with safeguarding the purity of Christian doctrine. Paul exhorts Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:13-14, "Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us" . This charge to preserve sound teaching highlights the apostles' role in maintaining doctrinal integrity.

Conclusion

The authority of apostolic teaching is a central tenet of Christian faith, rooted in the apostles' divine commissioning, their role as witnesses to the resurrection, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and their foundational place in the Church. Their teachings, preserved in the New Testament, continue to guide and instruct believers in the faith.