Authority of the believer.
What is the authority of the believer, and why do we need it? Lets us remember that authority is not just what you have but what you are connected to. It is about what sources you to be able to do what you are asked to do.
When Jesus came to earth, God anointed him and gave him authority to complete his assignment – Acts 10:38. We read how the people question Jesus about the authority he had.
Matt. 21:23 And when he came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things and who gave thee this authority?
Even the devils acknowledge that Jesus had authority by asking him not to torment them before their time. They even ask his permission to go into the pigs when he casts them out.
Luke 4:36 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.
After God raised Jesus from the dead, he claims that all authority has been given to Matt 28:18. Imagine Jesus going back to heaven to take his place next to the Father and leaving us as his Church here with no authority at all. He did not even do that while he was on the earth. While Jesus was here, he gave them authority then to cast out devils and heal the sick. This all lines up with the prayer he commanded them to pray. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as is it is heaven. If he has authority in heaven, then he has authority on earth. While he is not here in person, he gave them authority to represent him on earth.
The first reason we need authority is so that we can complete our mission. Jesus said to go into all the world and to make disciples – Matt 28:19-20. He authorized us to bring the Good News to everyone and to disciple them to become citizens of heaven. Everyone that is sent has to be authorized. You cannot represent the one sending you without the proper permission and ability to accomplish the task. Doing this is merely obeying orders, not exercising a right to achieve a mission.
Secondly, we must have authority because we are in a battle against the enemy. We know he is powerful. Jesus gave us power and authority over the power of the enemy – Luke 9:1. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness, and they are not overcome by force alone – Eph 6:12. God has given us weapons to pull down the strongholds the enemy sets up against us like lies and deception, arguments, and every high thing that wants to exalt itself against the knowledge of God 2 Cor 10:4-5.
Thirdly we need authority because we are representing the Kingdom as Ambassadors of Christ. Ambassadors represent their country and the laws of that country. If we are ambassadors for the Kingdom, we represent everything the Kingdom stands for. The Laws, the culture, the monetary system, the worship, the lifestyle, everything. No ambassador goes as a representative to another country without the authority to represent the country he comes from. Ambassadors bring their culture to a different culture.
2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
The fourth reason we need authority is so we can preach the Gospel. Every born-again believer has the authority and responsibility to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ on this earth.
Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Verse 20 says, They went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. God will confirm His Word, but first, it has to be put forth. That is where you and I come in. God does not preach; He has given us the authority to do the preaching. God will not lay hands on the sick. He will bring the healing, but you and I as believers must lay hands on the sick by faith, believing that God will perform His Word. And these signs shall follow them that believe. I want you to notice who is to do all these things: them that believe. The signs will follow the believers who act in faith and boldly speak in Jesus’ name. THEY shall cast out devils; THEY shall speak with new tongues; THEY shall lay hands on the sick, etc. The believer is the one with the power and authority to do these things.
