WoF claims that God has delegated authority to rule to Adam's sons. This doctrine is one of the most contentious, because if we have delegated authority and we have not wielded it, as His stewards, then much of the evil in this world is due to our own lack of faith, and we've been blaming it all on God's will. The implications are painful for the humble, and devastating for the self-righteous.



Hence contention and strife on this forum. Please understand, I bring this up not to stir up strife, being one with the church in both call and destiny. I only seek to establish biblical authority for the claim, and to seek your opinion on the matter.



Here is some biblical support for this doctrine:

Matt 9:1-8

9:1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."



3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"



4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7 And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.

(from New International Version)

Remembering the discussion we had years ago, that Jesus was pointing out the absolute fact that it is easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven..." than it is to say, "Rise, take up your bed and walk...", to a paralytic, because the former cannot be proven tangibly, but the latter, if it does not follow that the paralytic gets up and walks, could destroy the reputation of the "man of God;" let's move on to the part I highlighted: Were the onlookers wrong? Or did they just misinterpret what they saw?



If they were wrong, how could such an error wind up in inspired scripture with no editorial comment?



The question is, remember, has God indeed given such authority unto men?