D201 Lesson 8: Authority and Submission

Authority and Submission

Key Verse: Romans 13:1 (NKJV) “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to help the disciple realize that all authority comes from God and that submission is the proper response toward authority.

The greatest STRUGGLE we face is the issue of AUTHORITY.

There are two PRINCIPLES in the universe, God’s authority and Satan’s REBELLION.

Lucifer (Satan) is the original rebel against God’s authority.

Isaiah 14:12–15 (NKJV) “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.”

Question: “Have I rebelled against God’s authority in my life?”

The root of Satan’s rebellion and all rebellion is PRIDE.

Question: “Have I exalted myself in pride above God’s authority through willful disobedience?”

Rebellion is as the sin of WITCHCRAFT and stubbornness is as INIQUITY and IDOLATRY.

1 Samuel 15:23 (NKJV) “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”

Rebellion is revealed through SIN and DISOBEDIENCE.

Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s authority by disobeying His command.

Genesis 2:16–17 (NKJV) “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 3:6 (NKJV) “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

God alone has all INHERENT authority.

Romans 13:1 (NKJV) “…For there is no authority except from God…”

God possesses all authority and is the source of all authority.

All earthly authorities are ORDAINED by God with DELEGATED authority.

Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

Romans 13:1 (NKJV) “…and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

God has unlimited authority. Delegated authorities have limited authority.

God appoints earthly authorities as His MINISTERS to REWARD good and to PUNISH evil.

Romans 13:3–4 (NKJV) “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”

1 Peter 2:13–14 (NKJV) “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.”

There are DEGREES or SPHERES of delegated authority and submission.

Luke 7:8 (NKJV) “For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

1 Corinthians 15:9 (NKJV) “ For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”

2 Corinthians 10:13–16 (NKJV) “We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.”

Divinely delegated authority is found EVERYWHERE.

Husbands over their wives. (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22-24; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1; Colossians 3:18)

Parents over their children. (Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20)

Pastors and Elders over the local church. (Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-5)

Employers over employees. (Colossians 3:2)

Masters over servants. (Romans 14:4; Colossians 3:22; 1 Peter 2:18)

Government leaders over citizens (Romans 13:1-6; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Exodus 22:28)

Law enforcement over the public. (Romans 13:1-6)

Military leaders over military personnel. (Matthew 8:9; Luke 7:8)

One proper response toward delegated authority is SUBMISSION.

Submission is first an ATTITUDE of honor and recognition of God’s order.

Submission does not imply INFERIORITY but CONFORMITY to God’s order.

Jesus, in His Incarnation, is our supreme EXAMPLE of submission to divine authority.

Luke 22:41–42 (NKJV) “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’”

Philippians 2:5–8 (NKJV) “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Hebrews 5:8 (NKJV) “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

Submission to authority allows us to experience needed BLESSINGS:

Authority (Lordship)

Covering (Protection)

Connection (Relationship)

Purpose (Divine Intention)

Accountability (Responsibility)

God works His will and plan for our lives within the CONTEXT of the authorities He has placed in our lives.

Luke 2:49–52 (NKJV) “And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

God respects the DECISIONS made by those in position of authority.

The vow made by a wife may be annulled by her husband upon hearing of it (Numbers 30:3-15)

Those who RESIST authority resist the ORDINANCE of God and bring JUDGMENT on themselves.

Romans 13:2 (NKJV) “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

An “ordinance” is a statute enacted by a governing authority. God has ordained that His authority be delegated to those He has appointed and to be recognized and honored by those under their authority.

Since all authorities have been instituted by God, God is above all authorities and all authorities are under Him. By tracing all authorities back to the Source, we find that we are ultimately accountable to God.

Delegated authorities are ACCOUNTABLE to God for the proper exercise of delegated authority.

Psalm 2:10–12 (NKJV) “Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”

Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV) “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

God tests those under authority by the degree of their SUBMISSION to Him.

Delegated authorities are responsible to understand three REQUIREMENTS for the proper use of their authority.

They must know that all authority comes from God. They are there by the appointment of God and will give account to Him.

They must deny himself. They are not appointed to represent their own opinion, lord their authority over others, or use their position to serve their own agenda.

They must maintain regular fellowship with the Lord. Delegated leaders are representatives of God to the people. As such, they must stay in continual communication and fellowship with the Lord to properly represent Him.

God has the sovereign right and power to RAISE UP and REMOVE those in positions of delegated authority to accomplish His purpose.

Psalm 75:7 (NKJV) “But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.”

Jeremiah 27:5 (NKJV) “I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me.”

Daniel 2:21 (NKJV) “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

Exodus 9:16 (NKJV) (Regarding Pharaoh) “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”

Submission to human authority does not demand absolute OBEDIENCE.

Acts 4:18–20 (NKJV) “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’”

Acts 5:29 (NKJV) “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

Frances Schaeffer: “The civil government, as all of life, stands under the law of God. In this fallen world God has given us certain offices to protect us from the chaos which is the natural result of that fallenness. But when any office commands that which is contrary to the Word of God, those who hold that office nullify their authority and the Christian must obey God rather than men.”

A Time to Obey God Rather than Men

Is there ever justification to disobey those in positions of delegated authority? In general, Christians are to obey those possessing civil authority because they are appointed by God (Romans 13:1-3). Scripture teaches submission not just to those who are good and gentle, but to those who are harsh. (1 Peter 2:18) Such are appointed by God for the common good of society; to reward those who do good and to punish those who do evil. (Romans 13:3-4) Resistance to civil authority who are rightly working to establish good and punish evil is itself evil and will bring judgment upon those who resist. (Romans 13:2) Believers are to obey civil authority because the fear of God and purity of conscience requires it. (Romans 13:5) The principle of submission, however, also extends to those in authority. Such have no authority except it be given to them by God (John 19:11) Thus, they are accountable to God who gave them authority and who can remove it from them (Daniel 2:21). Therefore, such understanding demands that they operate in the fear of God knowing that they will give account to Him for how they use this authority. (Psalm 2) If they use their authority to command disobedience to God’s command or to overthrow God’s commands, then compliance with their command would be disobedience to God. When civil disobedience is deemed necessary, it should be done with an attitude of respect rather than defiance toward those in authority. Non-compliance must be done with a pure conscience toward obeying God rather above all else. Civil disobedience should be carried out through non-violence. Those involved in civil disobedience should expect retribution from the authorities involved. In such cases, they must seek to overcome evil with good (1 Peter 1:15). They should seek to use this opportunity to be a witness for God and for His kingdom. (Luke 21:14; Mark 13:11) If persecution persists, believers may flee to places outside their jurisdiction or submit to their punishment for conscience and witness’s sake while submitting themselves to God who judges righteously. (1 Peter 2:19-20, 23) Christians are to pray for their leaders so that righteous government might prevail that enables believers can live out their faith in peace. (1 Timothy 2:1-3) Even wicked rulers and laws can be overturned by the sovereign intervention of God (Daniel 3:29; 6:25-26). The righteous who take a righteous stand can sometimes find favor and, in some cases, be exalted to positions of authority in secular or pagan governments. (Daniel 3:30; 6:28)

There are many examples in the Bible of righteous CIVIL disobedience.

The Hebrew midwives disobeyed Pharaoh's order to kill newborn Hebrew boys (Exodus 1:20-21)

Obadiah hid the prophets of the LORD contrary to Ahab's command (1 Kings 18)

Rahab disobeyed the command of the leaders of Jericho to report the presence of the Hebrew spies (Joshua 2)

Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar's golden image (Daniel 3)

Daniel disobeyed the king's order to pray only to the king (Daniel 6)

John the Baptist addressed Herod's illegal marriage

Peter and John say they cannot obey the council's command to not speak in Jesus' name (Acts 4:19-20)

Believers refuse to obey the command to take the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:15)

Another proper response toward delegated authority is HONOR.

Romans 13:7 (NKJV) “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

Exodus 22:28 (NKJV) “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.”

Acts 23:3–5 (NKJV) “Then Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?’ 4 And those who stood by said, ‘Do you revile God’s high priest?’ 5 Then Paul said, ‘I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”’”

The Greek word for “honor” refers to the honor which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds. Even if a person in office has bad character, we are to give honor based on the office they hold. Authority is invested in the office and is assumed by the person holding that office until they are replaced.

We are to give unto CAESAR what belongs to him, and to GOD what belongs to Him.

Matthew 22:17–21 (NKJV) “‘Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, ‘Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.’ So they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ 21 They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ And He said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’”

“Caesar” represents civil authority.

We are to give to civil authority what belongs to them and to God what belongs to Him.

It is not “either or” but both God and Caesar.

According to Romans 13:7, we are to give unto earthly authorities what is their DUE.

Taxes to whom taxes are due

Revenue to whom revenue is due

Fear (respect) to whom fear is due

Honor to whom honor is due

Because of His obedience unto death, Jesus was granted all authority in HEAVEN and on EARTH.

Matthew 28:18 (NKJV) “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’”

Authority finds it fullest EXPRESSION in the Body of Christ, i.e., the Church.

Matthew 16:18–19 (NKJV) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

God the Father made Himself Christ’s Head (1 Corinthians 11:3)

God gave all authority in heaven and earth to Christ (Matthew 28:18)

God made Christ the Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18)

Christ has delegated the “keys” of His kingdom authority on earth to the Church (Matthew 16:19)

Christ has delegated the leadership of the church to properly called and appointed Pastors and Elders (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4) As such, these bondservants of Christ, are responsible to represent and oversee the affairs of Christ in His Church.

Pastors and Elders may delegate spheres of authority to others for the sake of fulfilling the mission and ministry of the church (Acts 6:1-6; Acts 13:1-3; 14:23; Titus 1:5; 1 Corinthians 4:1)

All rebellion toward God’s authority will be ultimately and finally SUBDUED under the authority of Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:24–28 (NKJV) “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For ‘He has put all things under His feet.’ But when He says ‘all things are put under Him’” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

Revelation 11:15 (NKJV) “Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’”