The Authority of the Believer

Purpose is to answer the questions, What is the authority and power that we as believers are called to walk in? And how does it apply to us today?

What is authority

Who has authority

How do we get authority

How do walk in authority

1. What is Authority?

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church Authority

The power or right to persuade individuals or groups to obey precepts or recommendations.

Luke 4:36 KJV 1900

36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

1st word power is Exousia -means delegated influence, authority & power

2nd word power is Dunamis -means ability, might or power, often supernatural power

What does it mean to have authority? It means that we have delegated power. We aren’t representing ourselves or operating on our own. When we are under authority, we have authority.

There are two main Greek words used for power & authority, however, it is not always translated using the same word

We see this in...

Luke 10:19 KJV 1900

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

2. Who has authority?

Matthew 28:18 KJV 1900

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

This is the word Exousia

Matthew 28:19–20 KJV 1900

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus has the authority and all power -and he has delegated this to his disciples. Does this apply only to the apostles?

Mark 16:15-20 records Jesus saying what will follow those who believe

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

As believers, we also have been sent to go in Jesus’ name, we are not powerless we are called to minister in the full power of the name of Jesus

Acts 6:8 KJV 1900

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Stephen was not an apostle or prophet, but he was a believer

3. How do we get authority?

How not to:

Acts 8:18–19 KJV 1900

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

It isn’t by our own ability or holiness

Acts 3:12 KJV 1900

12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

It is by faith in the name of Jesus

Acts 3:16 KJV 1900

16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Authority is received by revelation of truth in our hearts -through prayer

Eph 1:15-23 -read

Only God can give us the revelation of our authority in him, it is only by the infilling of the Spirit that we walk in all that God has for us.

4. How does it look to walk in authority today?

One key word -Believe

Believe God’s Word is true for you and that you aren’t an exception

Believe that God’s work for you is so important that you must walk in spiritual authority

Matt 14:22-32 -read

Fear, doubt, worry, wrong thoughts, bad attitudes

Cast out a devil, heal the sick, receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit

It is walking in peace, walking in boldness, walking in faith

Walking in spiritual authority is hearing, believing, and then obeying

Believe that you are loved and valued

This power is only for those who believe, only for those who seek