Authority
Hebrew: be, make great; power, strength, make mighty, be strong, dominion
Greek: to control, influence, power, right, prominence, dominate
God gave us dominion in Genesis 1:26, we know however that Adam sinned against
God and lost it to satan. Thank God, He loved us so much that He sent His Son (Jesus)
to redeem us. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus has paid the price in full for
our sins and reconciled us to God the Father. Jesus gave us authority back (Luke 10:
19). In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus sends us out to proclaim the great commission. The
authority has to be applied. Jesus did the legal side, we must do the vital side by
confession (Psalms 68:11, Mark 11:23-24, II Corinthians 4:13). The most powerful force
in the world is the Word of God. The second is prayer with the Word of God. We have
to see ourselves as God sees us. God says we are the head and not the tail, blessed
when we come in and blessed when we go out. Humility is best defined as a willingness
to obey God’s word. Proverb 18:21 tell us that death and life are in the power of the
tongue. We release our authority by words. Using the Words of God produces the best
kind of life. Remember Jesus says He only say what He heard the Father say. The
world has in many occasions changed the meanings of words, example: bad now means
good in the world, today, but in the spiritual realm it still means bad.
The word “authority” as used in the Bible usually means a person’s right to do certain
things. This word emphasizes the legality and right, more than the physical strength
needed to do something.
Self-centered authority – is what happens when people think they know best? The Bible
says “in those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their
own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Self-centered authority defies God. During the time of the
judges, the people of Israel experienced trouble because everyone became his own
authority and acted on his own opinions of right and wrong. This produced horrendous
results. Our world is similar. Individuals, groups, and societies have made themselves
the final authorities without reference to God.
God-centered authority – is how God affirm His authority in people. God’s authority is
absolute. God’s chain of command is based on faith. His view of authority is not based
on age or position. In finding faithful followers, God may use unexpected channels. Be
prepared for the Lord to work at any place, at any time, and through anyone He
chooses.
Jesus Christ has the same intrinsic authority as the Father (John 10:25-30), although
this authority is said to be given to Christ from His Father; just as the authority of the
Holy Spirit is given to Him from the Father and the Son (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-15).
What Jesus did was to pull the stinger out of the bee (satan), he is still buzzing around,
but he can’t hurt you. Your authority is backed up by the One giving you that authority,
and we know that Jesus gave it to us (Luke 10:19).
Jesus is the source of all authority. This is one of the strongest statements about the
divine nature of Christ found anywhere in the Bible. Jesus is not only equal to God
(Philippians 2:6), he is God (John 10:30, 38; 12:45, 14:1.11). He came from heaven,
not from the dust of the ground. (I Corinthians 15:47), and is Lord of all (Romans 9:5;
10:11-13; Revelation 1:5, 17:14). He has authority to judge the world (Romans 2:16; II
Corinthians 5:10, II Timothy 4:1).
One derived authority is above every other kind of derived authority, and that is the
Bible. Because the Bible is inspired by God (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21), it has
divine power and authority. God did not give the Scriptures to be read only, but to be
believed and obeyed.
The Christians who seek to follow Christ’s example will learn to use authority, and
remember we said before you release your authority by words. Check what you have
been saying. Proverb 12:13 says “the wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips,
but the just shall come out of trouble”.
The Bible says in Proverb 29:2 “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked bears rule the people mourn”. Civil authority should be obeyed,
because it is written in Romans 13:1-7 and Titus 3:1, all authority comes from God. Now
when we are under wicked rule, we are to pray for them as it says in I Timothy 2:1-3.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 10, 2006