Lesson 58 – Where Authority Comes From

Text: Romans 13:1-2 NIV  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  (2)  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Intro:

The most important, yet least understood, doctrine in contemporary times is that everything operates under authority.  All authority comes from God. He instituted authority in both the celestial and the physical. It is by “His Word” that all things are upheld and He is the supreme authority over everything and everyone. 

Colossians 1:16-18 NIV  For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  (17)  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  (18)  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

The entire universe operates on the principle of authority. Before God created man, He created the angelic host. When they were created, He established their rank and dominion. 

Jude 1:6 NIV  And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

Satan’s Authority:

Satan’s kingdom also has authority.^[1] Again, every time the word “power” appears, it is the Greek word “exousia.” Satan has authority that is subject to God’s authority. When Satan desired to attack Job, he first needed to get permission from God.^[2] Jesus specifically stated that those who were taking Him in the garden were operating under the “authority of darkness.”

Luke 22:53 KJV When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 

Paul stated that we were “delivered from the authority of darkness.^[3]” God’s Kingdom is built upon submission, Satan’s kingdom is built upon just the opposite, iniquity!^[4] The idea and concept behind “iniquity” (in fact, the very definition of the Greek word) is “without law” – i.e., REBELLION! Consider that Satan offered Jesus power/authority while he was tempting Jesus in the wilderness.^[5] Whenever we refuse to submit to God’s authority, we are automatically operating under the realm of Satan’s authority. It is possible to do God’s work while actually being lost and operating under the authority of Satan; consider the following.

Matthew 7:22 KJV Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 

Were these people doing the work of God? Yes. Were they doing what God wanted to be done? Of course. Yet the reason they were condemned was not what they did, but the realm in which they did it!

Matthew 7:23 KJV And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Jesus began this passage by letting us know that some who call him Lord would not be saved.^[6] Satan had so blinded their minds that they were working for him while believing they were exercising God’s authority.

God’s Authority:

Matthew 28:18 KJV  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

ALL authority comes from God and is dispensed down from Him through the structure of spiritual authority.

He alone possesses SOLE authority within Himself. Every other created being has authority over them.  Ephesians 1:21 KJV Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 

Jude 1:25 KJV To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power….

Colossians 2:10 KJV And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:  While He has authority over all nonliving objects and all Spiritual beings, He has established His authority in humanity through our willing submission. Though He has authority over us, He only exercises that authority when we voluntarily come under His authority. He does not exercise His authority over us forcefully.  Acts 5:32 KJV And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 

1 Peter 1:22 KJV Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit…..

God’s supremacy over all other things means that every sickness, sin, and every attack of hell must bow to His authority. There is no demon of hell nor Satan himself who can overpower our God. When God decrees, every other thing must agree! “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”^[7][8]

Delegated Authority:

Luke 10:19-20 ESV  Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.  (20)  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Delegated authority is authority granted lawfully by one who has authority. No authority originates within humanity. When we are completely surrendered and submitted to God’s authority, He can delegate authority to us when His will requires it.⁸ This is seen through the acts of the Apostles. When miracles were performed by their hands, it was not by their authority or power. God delegated that to them so He might receive the glory. When the seven sons of Sceva attempted to unlawfully exercise the authority they did not possess, they were defeated by Satan.^[9] When the Centurion desired a miracle from Jesus, he demonstrated such an understanding of delegated authority that Jesus attributed it to him as faith.^[10] 

Since the time of the ORIGINAL twelve apostles, spiritual authority has been delegated through the man to whom we are submitted. Every one of us must be a “man under Apostolic authority.”  

Conclusion:

Romans 6:16 KJV  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Satan’s authority and God’s authority are in direct opposition. When we refuse to submit to God’s authority structure, we align ourselves with Satan’s authority. Submission to God’s man and His Word aligns us with God’s authority. His authority provides clear instructions that will accomplish His desire in our lives and in His church. It is up to us whether we will see those desires fulfilled.