THE AUTHORITY OF THE BELIEVER.
What authority does a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ have? The dictionary defines the word "authority" as follows: “Legal power or right. Delegated power. Influence. Permission. A body in control.” The word stems from the word "author", which is defined as an originator. Authority is the right or power to require obedience. God has that supreme right as He has revealed through the Scriptures.
Romans ch 13 v 1 says that there is no authority except from God and those that exist who have been instituted by God. God originated everything and every human institution, which is in control of the affairs of men. In Acts ch 1 v 7 Jesus answered the Disciples: "It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father has fixed by His own authority." If God chooses to tell man something, that is His decision. He is not obliged to any human being, unless He has specifically promised to do something. At His trial Pilate said to Jesus: "Do you not know that I have power to release you and power to crucify you?" Jesus replied to Pilate: "You would have no power over me, unless it had been given to you from above." Jesus knew that all civil authorities owed their position and authority from God the Father. That is one reason why believers ought to obey the Government of the land, because they are exercising the law of God by His authority and with His permission. The only exception to that requirement is where the law passed by the Government conflicts with the moral law of God. Then believers must obey the moral law of God and not the law of the land.
One of the most telling aspects of the life of Jesus was the authority with which He spoke and acted. It was more than confidence in His own ability. He had a power, which led Him to make such statements as this: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but through me." "He who has seen me has seen the Father." "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. I have come to fulfil them." The Scriptures are full of such authoritative statements by Jesus.
It was a constant cry from those who witnessed the miracles of Jesus - "By what authority do you do these things?" Mat ch 23 v 23. When Jesus entered the Temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to Jesus as He was teaching and said: "By what authority are you doing these things and who gave you this authority?" Mat ch 7 v 29. "When Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teachings, for He taught them as one who had authority and not as the scribes." It was the response of Jesus to say that He had come to do the will of His Father. "I only do what I see my Father doing." Those who witnessed the miracles never doubted what they had seen. All they asked was, by what authority He had done it. It is people 2,000 years later and thousands of miles from the event, who question the facts of the miracles. Those who were present had no doubts. Clearly Jesus was in touch with a higher authority. When He taught, Jesus taught as one who had authority. The normal method of teaching by Rabbis was to quote other Rabbis. Jesus did not say: "Rabbi so and so says this, but I say unto you." Jesus said that all authority in Heaven and Earth was given to Him. Mat ch 28 v 18.
From the Scriptures Jesus knew that Eliakim mentioned in Isaiah ch 22 v 15-25 was a type of Christ. He would be given the key of the House of David. He shall open and none shall shut. He shall shut and none shall open. The keys of the kingdom of God shall belong to Jesus and He shall give them to whom He will. Mat ch 16 v 19. Peter answered on behalf of all the Disciples. Jesus built His Church on the rock of faith by the Disciples in Jesus. The keys of the Kingdom were not given to Peter alone. They were given to all the Disciples and to all who are disciples for evermore. The key is a symbol of the position of authority. It was the badge of office of Eliakim. It was placed on his shoulder.
What was so astonishing about Jesus creating a few sandwiches out of a loaf of bread? The same Jesus was involved with His Father in creating the whole Universe out of nothing. Heb ch 1 v 2. Speaking of Jesus, the passage says that it was through Jesus that God created the World. A few sandwiches was easy by comparison. God created woman out of the rib of a man. It was the first case of genetic engineering. Healing a cripple is routine after that. Jesus could do anything His Father wanted Him to do, because all authority was vested in Him. John ch 13 v 3. Jesus, knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God. No wonder Jesus spoke with such authority. It was not just that He spoke with authority, Jesus also acted with authority. Mark ch 1 v 27. When Jesus cast out a demon, the people said: "With authority He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him."
If someone comes to the door, it is prudent to ask on what authority he is calling. He may show a document, which gives him authority to read the electric meter or, if it is a policeman, he may have a warrant from the Court to enter the house and search it for something. Jesus believed in the Word of God as authoritative and entirely reliable. Jesus said in John ch 5 v 27: "The Father has given the Son authority to execute judgement, because He is the Son of Man." Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing. If the Father said: "Do it," then Jesus knew that He had all the authority He needed to act and speak. Jesus had learned from the Scriptures. Moses went to Pharaoh on the authority of the Word of God - by faith in the Word of God. Exodus ch 3 v 10. David was king because he was appointed by the Word of God. 1 Kings ch 12 v 12. Elisha was passed the mantle by Elijah as a sign of his authority. 2 Kings ch 2 v 13-14.
The characters in the Scriptures were constantly in a state of spiritual battle or conflict. In the Garden of Eden, God declared enmity between the serpent's seed and the seed of woman. The law of strife became the law of life from that day onwards. Where did they get their authority from? From the Word of God. What authority do believers have and where does it come from? From the Word of God.
A. There are certain misconceptions. What authority is not.
1. Some say that it is the fullness of the Holy Spirit. God desires every believer to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day. Acts ch 4 v 8. Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. But the authority of the believer is more than just being filled with the Holy Spirit. Many believers are truly filled with the Holy Spirit but never exercise any authority over spiritual powers.
2. Some say that the authority of the believer is a spiritual gift. “I have the gift of teaching. You have the gift of authority.” There is no reference to the gift of authority in the list of gifts in the Bible. God does give spiritual gifts but the authority of the believer is not a special gift given to some believers and not to all believers. Every believer is entitled to exercise authority over the enemy.
3. Some say that it is as a result of prevailing prayer. If a believer really prays hard, that will give him authority. There is a place for prevailing prayer, but that was not where the authority of Jesus came from. When Jesus cast out a demon, He did not pray a long time over the matter. Indeed sometimes He did not pray at all. Jesus taught His Disciples to speak to the mountain. There was no question of praying to it. It was a case of using authority and speaking to it.
B. Authority is delegated power. There are two words in Greek for power. Luke ch 10 v 19. “I have given you authority over the enemy and power to tread on scorpions.” Just one word is used in English. A believer has authority over Satan but does not have power over Satan. A traffic policeman can stop a huge lorry by raising his hand. It is not by physical force or power that he stops the lorry, but by his authority. He is authorised by the police department to control the traffic. He only has to raise his hand and the traffic stops. The drivers recognise that he has the authority of the police department to control the traffic. A dictator rules by force or power but in a democracy the Government rules by the authority of the people who form the electorate. Authority is delegated power. Its power depends on the power behind the user. Jesus realised that all authority had been given to Him over the enemy of mankind and he used His authority. The authority of a believer is backed up by a greater power or authority. "If you go in my name, I shall be with you." There is authority behind the words of a believer, because he speaks them on behalf of the Lord.
C. What is the source of authority? Eph ch 1 v 19-23. What is the surpassing power of Jesus? He is seated far above every name, which is named. When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was empowered by God the Father. Satan was defeated - not when Jesus was raised from the dead - but when He ascended to the Father and sat down at the right hand of the Father. Sitting down is symbolic of the work having been accomplished. Jesus had finished the work He came to do on Earth. 1 John ch 3 v 8. Jesus came to destroy the work of the Devil. That is just what He did. Then He sat down and then He received all the power and authority from God. Col ch 2 v 12-15. Jesus disarmed the rulers and authorities before He sat down. 1 Peter ch 3 v 22. It is the finished work of Christ. All the powers of Heaven bow before Jesus.
D. How does this power and authority operate in a believer? Eph ch 1 v 19. “Towards us who believe.” That means all who believe - not a select few. Right now all believers have authority over the powers of darkness. The Prince of the power of the air used to control the life of a believer before he was born of the Holy Spirit. At salvation a believer becomes part of the body of Christ. He is raised to new life in Christ. Jesus is the head of the body. Believers are part of the body. Now they are seated with Christ in the Heavenly places. The word baptised means identified with Christ. That is the positional fact. It may not be the experience of a believer because of lack of faith, false teaching or disobedience. God knows the facts. Satan knows the facts. Often the believer is the only one who does not know the facts, because no one has taught him the facts. At the moment of justification a newborn believer is co-resurrected, co-raised - and co-seated with Christ in the Heavenly places. This is why Jesus taught His Disciples that what they bound on Earth was bound in Heaven. But he has to operate in the realm of Heaven before he can work on Earth. The difference between what a believer is and what he experiences is very important. A person may be saved but not behave as if he is saved. This is particularly so in the case of an elderly person, when his mental faculties break down. It often causes distress to family who begin to wonder about the salvation of a member of the family, when they behave as if they were not saved. A backslidden believer may not be living out the Christian life and may not feel that he is saved, but his position is secured in Christ - as long as he is not wilfully rejecting his salvation and his Lord.
E. The place of authority. Seated with Christ. Eph ch 2 v 4-6. It is like a factory worker getting a place on the board of directors. He is now a party to making decisions, which affect other people. He is given authority as a director. In this way the believer is given authority as a child of God - a brother of Jesus.
"Without me you can do nothing. Abide in me." Jesus only did what the Father was doing. The believer can only do what He is led by the Spirit to do. That is the birthright of every believer. A believer may exercise the authority of the believer over the prince of the power of the air but only to the extent of his spiritual apprehension. The more he apprehends and understands the authority he has, the more he may be able to exercise it. “You will do what I have done.” John ch 12 v 14. As Jesus cast out demons, so shall a believer cast out demons, if he believes - if he exercises faith. A believer can order an angel to minister, if he believes in angels and believes that he has authority over them.
There are certain qualifications for exercising the authority of the believer. Heb ch 12 v 2. Col ch 3 v 1.
"If then" is a conditional clause in Greek. There are 3 such clauses. If, and it might be true. If, and it is not true. And if, and it is true. It is used for emphasis. If then - and it is a fact that a believer has been raised up with Christ – he should keep seeking the things of God and fix his eyes on Jesus. Where is Jesus? Seated at the right hand of God. Seated is also in the present tense continuing. It is not that Jesus once sat down, but rather He is continuing there seated beside the Father. Jesus is constantly active.
What are the qualifications for exercising the authority of the believer?
1. One thing is certain. Before a believer is going to be any Earthly use, he must be Heavenly minded. He must know and understand his position in Christ. Knowledge of the Scriptures is essential.
2. Humility. Only by humility will a believer make sure that he retains his position in Christ. Although by declaring Himself as God, Jesus made Himself equal with God, Jesus did not snatch at equality with God. Phil ch 2 v 6. He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. Humility is not a believer belittling himself saying: "I am nothing." Humility is knowing who he is, who made him what he is and giving God the glory for it. He is a child of God. That is someone - not a nobody. He may not be all he should be, but he is more than he used to be and, by the grace of God, he will be perfect one day. John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness, wearing a garment of camel's hair and leather girdle. When people came and asked him who he was - was he Elijah? - was he the prophet? – John did not say; "I am no one really. He said: “I am the one spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. I am a voice crying in the wilderness, making straight the path for the Lord." John knew who he was and who had made him and who had called him to preach that the Messiah was coming. He knew his position. "He who is coming after me is mightier than I am. I am not worthy to carry His sandals." John knew his position but he also knew the authority he had from the Scriptures to preach the Word of God. A believer must know his position as a servant of the Lord, confidant in the calling of God to serve Him.
3. Boldness. Boldness involves faith. Faith involves knowledge. When God has spoken, to hold back is sin and not faith. A believer is told to approach the throne of grace as a child of God. Children are confident when they approach their father for help.
4. Awareness. As soon as a believer realises what he is called to do, Satan will be upset. The believer will be a marked man. Satan does not really mind a spirit-filled believer. But when a spirit-filled believer, who knows his position in Christ, who knows what he is entitled to do, who knows that he can do what Jesus did, and who starts exercising authority over his demons, it is bad news for the Kingdom of darkness. That one must be stopped at all costs. Every wile and deception will be brought into play to put an end to this one.
5. The right to exercise authority is conditional on using it in a proper fashion. The traffic policeman will have his authority withdrawn, if he is late for work, if he favours one stream of traffic against another one, or if he generally acts in an incompetent manner and causes a traffic jam. A Church will lose its authority to speak due to compromise or sheer disobedience.
6. Authority is delegated power. One who has authority delegates it to another. All authority in Heaven and Earth was given to Jesus. Before He ascended to Heaven Jesus delegated His authority to His disciples. Mat ch 10 v 1. Jesus called to Him His 12 Disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, to heal every disease (EVERY disease - no exception) and EVERY infirmity. The final commission from Jesus in Mat ch 28 v 18. "All authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make Disciples of all nations." John ch 14 v 12. "He who believes in me will also do the works that I do."
How should a believer exercise the authority? He should speak in the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. Mention the shed blood on the cross. There is power in the cross. By the cross, Jesus defeated the last enemy of mankind - death. “Satan, I command you to stop your activity.” There is no power over Satan, but there is authority over him and his demons. Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil. The greatest enemy of mankind was death. Jesus destroyed the power of death. Yet millions of people are still afraid of death. The enemy still exercises power over mankind.