Nature of authority

Ultimate authority belongs to God, who does as he pleases

Psalm 115:3 KJV 1900

But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

See also 2 Ch 20:6; Job 9:12; Job 23:13; Job 42:2; Ps 135:6; Is 14:27; Is 43:13; Is 45:9; Is 46:10; Da 4:35 Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God’s authority; Ro 9:19–21; Eph 1:11 God’s authority is demonstrated in election.

Human authority

All human authority is given and established by God

Romans 13:1 KJV 1900

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

See also Da 2:21; Da 4:17; Da 5:18–21; Jn 19:11

It involves the rightful freedom to give orders

Mt 8:9 The centurion to Jesus Christ.

See also Ge 41:35; Nu 27:20; Dt 1:15 Moses delegates authority; Jdg 9:29; Ezr 7:24; Ne 3:7; Es 9:29; Is 22:21; Je 38:10; Mt 25:23 the parable of the talents; Mk 13:34; Lk 20:20; Lk 23:7; Jn 19:10

Paul had the authority of the chief priests to arrest believers:

Ac 9:14; Ac 26:10; Ac 26:12

1 Peter 2:13 KJV 1900

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

It is limited, unlike God’s authority

John 19:10–11 KJV 1900

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Responsibilities of those with authority

They are to act as servants, not lording it over people

Matthew 20:25–28 KJV 1900

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

See also Jn 13:4–15

Their authority is to be used for the benefit of others

2 Corinthians 10:8 KJV 1900

For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

See also 2 Co 13:10

It is sometimes necessary to withhold exercising authority for others’ good

1 Corinthians 9:4–18 KJV 1900

Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

See also 1 Co 6:1–7; 1 Co 8:8–13; 1 Co 10:23–24

Examples of the authority of believers

Authority over possessions

Ac 5:4 Peter to Ananias regarding the land he sold.

Authority over the will

1 Co 7:37 Paul on marriage.

Authority to become children of God

John 1:12 KJV 1900

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

The authority of the law over believers during their lifetime

Romans 7:1 KJV 1900

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?