Page 114 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

People could also identify Jesus’ impressive possession of knowledge on the Law and tradition.

They asked each other, “Where did this man get this wisdom?”(Matt.13:54); “Where then did

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this man get all this?”(Matt.13:56). Jesus preached as one who knew what he was preaching.
Jesus did not deny the Law, yet he presented a new interpretation that gave life to the Law and

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made it relevant to the people. He also displayed mastery of communicative skills by
employing new, innovative methods of preaching. Even the enemies of Jesus recognized his

authority not as title or position but as functional influence, by challenging the source of it, “who

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gave you this authority?”(Matt. 21:23). People who “were spellbound by what they heard”

(Lk. 19:48) endorsed Jesus’ authority. The authority of Jesus was functional in nature.

Use of Authority in Preaching
While preaching, Jesus spoke with authority. While he did not depend on his title or position as

the basis of the authority, he proclaimed his message as one having authority. Ashcraft pointed

out that authority “by its nature evokes acceptance, respect, and obedience;” subsequently, Jesus

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authoritative preaching impacted his listeners in two ways, positive or negative. Bond

36 Mark1:22, 1:27, 6:2, and Matt. 7:29.

37 Matt. 5:17-18.

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Mark 11:28, and Luke 20:2
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Morris Ashcraft, “The Issue of Biblical Authority,” Faith and Mission 1 no.1 (Spring
1984) 26-7. For authority and persuasion, see LoveJoy, “A Critical Evaluation,” 30-36, James C.
th
McCroskey, An Introduction to Rhetorical Communication, 5 ed. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall, 1986), and Dennis H. Wrong, Power: Its Forms, Bases and Uses (New York:
Harper Colophon Books, 1980).