Authority and Power
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The biblical definition of the word authority is understood and used to describe the power or ability to do something given by, conferred upon, or derived from a higher authority. It is the warrant, right, power, or ability to do something. In the New Testament there is a clear link between the giving of and use of authority, and the presence of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 4:31).
Luke 24:49 (KJV (WS))
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Wait on the promise of the father
Acts 1:8 (KJV (WS))
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
What should this promise benefit, (the kingdom of God)?
Acts 4:29–31 (KJV (WS))
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
It is the Holy Spirit who is the agent or part of the totality of God’s personhood through whom power is expressed and created things come into being (Genesis 1:1-3).
Genesis 1:1–3 (KJV (WS))
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
While God’s power is manifest through the Holy Spirit, it is the authority of Christ that is the ability and authorization to use it. According to the Scriptures, we have the same power living in us that raised Christ from the dead.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Led by the Spirit
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
It is with Christ’s authority that we release God’s power in order to accomplish the purposes for which it was given to us. It is the faith to express Jesus’ authority that initiates the release of God’s power to carry out His will and fulfill the task of His commission. The Bible says we’ve been given Jesus’ authority to exercise in the following ways.
Perhaps the most notable characteristic of Jesus’ ministry as observed by others was the authority with which He taught and ministered. From the nature of His teaching to the manner in which He drove out evil spirits with a word, Jesus’ use of power and authority is what noticeably set Him apart from other prophets, teachers, and religious leaders of His day.
John 14:11–14 (KJV (WS))
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
We have been given authority in Christ as children of God. According to Jesus and the teaching of the Bible, we have been given authority to carry out the purposes of God in advancing His Kingdom, healing the sick, and defeating the works of Satan and the powers of darkness.
To continue the work of Jesus and to express His will on earth, you must go beyond simply believing to ACTING on the authority you have been given by Jesus.
Authority as characterized in the New Testament and expressed in the ministries of Jesus and His disciples is, the ability, right, or power to do something. This ability or power is derived from another person or source and is given to someone for a particular purpose.
Much like a police officer has been given the right, warrant, and ability to exercise authority as an agent representing an entity with the power to enforce the authority used, we too have the representative authority to establish, enforce and carry out God’s will as King here on earth as it is in Heaven. In essence we, like a peace officer, wear the badge of Christ’s authority and bear the force of His Kingdom as we exercise authority in His Name to establish His peaceful and righteous rule and accomplish His Will. Like and officer’s uniform and protective gear, we bear His image and likeness representing our King and His Kingdom, carry His Spirit within us, and clothe ourselves in His protective armor. We also bear the weapons of His Word and pray in the power of the Holy Spirit while exercising His authority and power to force the opposing powers into compliance with His will so that order is established and His peace and righteousness prevail. This then provides the opportunity for His people and others to experience His presence, peace and love as distinct from the environment created by a fallen world……
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: