Are You Above Apostolic Authority | 1 Corinthians 14:36-40

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Our shout-out today goes to Keith Larson from Tacoma, WA. Thanks for your partnership in Project23. We cannot do this without donors like you.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 14:36-40.

Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order. — 1 Corinthians 14:36-40

Paul now drops the hammer.

After regulating tongues. After regulating prophecy. After regulating the disorder. After addressing the controversial issue of silence. He confronts the deeper issue.

Pride.

“Or was it from you that the word of God came?”

Translation: Did revelation originate with you?

“Or are you the only ones it has reached?”

Translation: Are you spiritually elite?

Paul transitions from worship style to authority over worship. Paul exposes their spiritual arrogance that was causing the chaos.

"If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord."

This is a staggering declaration. Paul equates his written instruction with divine authority. To reject it is not merely to disagree with Paul. It is to resist the Lord.

And then comes the sober warning:

“If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”

In other words, refusal to submit to apostolic authority reveals something about your standing. This is the real dividing line and the real question we all have to ask ourselves:

Do we submit to Scripture as the Lord’s command?

Submit to God’s authority. Let the unchanging Scripture confront you, correct you, and reshape you. Do not presume to edit what was given to rule over you.

DO THIS:

Examine how you respond when Scripture confronts you. Do you reinterpret it—or do you submit to it?

ASK THIS:

1. Do I treat apostolic instruction as optional?
2. When the Bible corrects my preferences, do I adjust—or argue?
3. Am I truly under the authority of Christ’s Word?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, keep me from spiritual pride. Guard me from assuming I know better than your Word. Teach me to recognize Scripture as your command and to submit to it with humility and joy. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Use Me Lord”