Test Everything, Hold Fast
Who Gets the Last Word?
Matthew 28:18–20
Edward Rangel · August 2, 2026
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The risen Christ possesses all authority.
His word is the final standard for faith and obedience.
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Many voices speak. Only one voice will judge.
Who has the right to tell me what to believe?
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And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Matthew 28:18 · NASB
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"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:19 · NASB
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teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:20 · NASB
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The risen Christ alone has all authority.
Matthew 28:18
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The resurrection confirms His right to rule.
God raised the crucified Christ.
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The Son reigns by the Father’s will.
To reject the Son is rebellion against God.
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Influence persuades. Authority commands.
No human voice may revise the gospel.
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But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29 · NASB
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All authority leaves no religious rival.
The church teaches Christ’s law; it cannot create another.
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No part of life stands outside His rule.
Worship, work, doctrine, conduct, assembly, and home.
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13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 · NASB
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His authority reaches us through His word.
Matthew 28:19–20
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The apostles carried Christ’s message.
They were chosen witnesses sent in His name.
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12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
John 16:12-13 · NASB
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14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
John 16:14-15 · NASB
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"The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me."
Luke 10:16 · NASB
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One source. One united message.
The Father speaks
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The Son reveals
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The Spirit guides the apostles
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The inspired word governs
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And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42 · NASB
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If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.
1 Corinthians 14:37 · NASB
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Red letters do not cancel black letters.
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14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 · NASB
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16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 · NASB
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The church stands under the judgment of Scripture.
Its authority comes from God, not human approval.
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Scripture supplies what faithfulness requires.
Enthusiasm cannot authorize what Christ has not.
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44 And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 "He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.
John 12:44-46 · NASB
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47 "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.
John 12:47-48 · NASB
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49 "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 "I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me."
John 12:49-50 · NASB
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Only Christ’s word has the right to govern the conscience.
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III
His authority requires disciples who obey.
Matthew 28:19–20
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A disciple comes under the Master’s rule.
Christianity is surrender to Jesus as Lord.
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Baptism belongs within disciple-making.
The baptized person enters Christ’s authority and relationship.
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Teach everything Christ commanded.
Not less, not more, and not something different.
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A disciple learns in order to obey.
Agreement alone does not honor Christ’s authority.
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Test every rival authority
- Tradition — Mark 7:6–13
- Experience — Acts 23:1; 26:9
- Spiritual claims — 1 John 4:1; 5:13
- Education and conscience
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The Lord who sends also sustains.
His presence gives courage when obedience is unpopular.
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Humility does not require surrendering truth.
Study honestly, correct error, and remain under the word.
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Which voice actually governs you?
Name the person, tradition, pressure, or feeling.
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Put one belief beneath Christ’s word.
Read its passages in context and test every influence.
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Do not search for permission to remain unchanged.
Submit where Christ’s word has exposed you.
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What Matthew 28 establishes
- Christ alone has all authority.
- His apostles delivered His word.
- Disciples learn in order to obey.
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Let Christ have the last word now.
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Submit to the risen Lord in obedient faith.
Hear, believe, repent, confess Christ, and be baptized for forgiveness.
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Return to Christ’s word.
Repent of every rival authority and renew your obedience.
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Let Christ have the last word.
Matthew 28:18
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Created with Ed Slide Gen · Keeping the Faith