The Authority of the Believer
Bible Study by
Dr. Leif S. Jacobsen
1. The authority of
the Believer
God has in Jesus Christ given his
church all spiritual blessing, the most precious promises and spiritual
authority.
1.1 We need to
see what God has given us
Paul prays
that the believers must see what God has given them.
Eph 1:15-17;
Eph 3:14-17.
In order to
see this, we must read the Word and receive it in our mind and in our
inner man.
God has
given us all that pertains to life and fear of God by the KNOWLEDGE about
him. 2.Pet 1:3.
1.2 All
authority in heaven and earth is given to Jesus
Math 28:18-20; Col
1:15-18.
1.3 We as
church are raised up together with him and have got part in his authority
All spiritual
authority. Eph 1:3.
Seated with him in
heavenly places. Eph 2:4-7.
Everything is under our
feet. Eph 1:20-23.
We are the Body of
Christ. 1.Cor 12:12-14+27.
1.4 What is
authority?
Authority is delegated
power.
In Greek:
power
dynamis
authority exousia.
We have
delegated authority. Delegated authority implies that we don’t have this
authority in our self, but that it is given to us by another. We therefore
don’t stand forth on our own behalf, but on behalf of another.
E.g. the
traffic police that direct the traffic have authority because he
represents those who stand behind him – the government.
1.5 How the
authority of the believer operates
We are
involved in a battle, and should be strong in the Lord.
Eph 6:10-17.
We have
authority over all the power of the enemy.
Luke 10:19;
1.Pet 5:8-9; James 4:7, Eph 4:27.
Behind the
authority of the believer is a greater force than what is behind our
enemy.
1.John 4:4;
Rom 5:17.
1.6 The
authority of rebellious principalities
The enemy
has a certain power, but actually he is disarmed and conquered.
James 4:7;
Col 2:15.
1.7 What we
don’t have authority over
We don’t
have authority over other people’s will.
2. SPIRITUAL
AUTHORITY
Acts 20:28; Hebr 13:17.
God has commissioned pastors to
guard the church, and tells the church to obey them. This implies a
relationship based on authority.
2.1 Two kinds
of authority
2.1.1 The
self-established authority.
Founded on human power. Has to be
secured through human arrangements. Dictatorship, ruling, self-upheaval,
strong men and strong wills.
2.1.2 Spiritual
authority.
Founded on divine anointing,
calling and separation. Characterized by serving, sacrifice, humility and
suffering for others. Secured because God defends it.
• The first authority is human and
leads to fight and strife.
• The other authority is from God,
and gives unity, peace and growth.
2.2 The
problem to subordinate oneself
2.2.1 The
world is characterized by lack of ethical standards, lawlessness,
rebellion against authorities, equality and suppression because the
natural man:
• Cannot subordinate
himself under authority
• Want to rule
2.2.2
Many Christians cannot subordinate themselves because they cannot see the
difference between the two kinds of authority. Therefore democracy is the
governing principle in many churches.
2.2.3 You have to
make Jesus your Lord, before you can be able to subordinate yourself.
2.3 The big
secret of Spiritual Authority
2.3.1 We do not
subordinate ourselves people, but under the anointing God has put on that
person.
2.3.2 We have to be
under somebody in order to have authority ourselves.
Math 8,5-10.
The officer was under superiors, therefore he had authority.
Jesus was
under authority – therefore he had authority. When he fully had done the
Father’s will, he could say: “To me is given all power.”
2.3.3 God works
through chains of authority:
2.3.3.1 God has all
authority.
Rom 13,1
("all authority has its root in God")
2.3.3.2 He delegates
authority to those he calls into ministry.
2.3.3.3 He
who subordinates himself under authority gets part in the authority’s
influence, covering and blessing.
2.Cor 5,20; Luke 10,16; Jer 35,1-2; 5-10; 18-19
2.4
Authorities instituted by God
2.4.1 In
the world.
Rom 13,1-7; 1.Pet 2,13-14.
2.4.2 In
the family.
Eph 5,22-24; 6,1-6.
2.4.3 In the Church.
1.Thess
5,12-13; Acts 20,28; Hebr 13,7.
2.5 How the
authority against the authority is made visible
2.5.1 Through our words. Jud 8-10; James 3,2-8; Eph 5,6; Math
12,34.
Everybody who are
characterized by rebellion, have problems controlling their mouth. E.g.
Cam, the son of Noah Gen. 9, 21-27. Miriam and Aaron: Numbers 12, 1-2.
Slander in the Church is like leprosy.
Criticism and slander is
rebellion disguised as truth.
2.5.2 Through our
reasoning: Rom 9, 11-21. The tree to knowledge about good and evil led man
into slavery under his reasoning. Eph 2, 3. Reason is a life principle
making it difficult for us to subordinate.
If you discuss with God, you have
no God any longer. Discussion and worship cannot be combined.
2.6 Spiritual
Authority – something good
2.6.1 Creates good
order in the Church.
Col 2, 5
2.6.2
Somebody watches over you.
Hebr 13, 17
2.6.3
Somebody will help you to grow and bear fruit.
1.Cor 3, 9
2.6.4 When you are
under authority, you get authority.
Math 8,9
2.6.5 When the
obedience is complete, we can use our weapon of warfare with full effect.
2.Cor 10,3-5
2.7 Obedience
towards the will of God – the Bibles’ most important demand
1.Sam 15,1-22.
2.7.1 Qualifications
to lead (v.17).
2.7.2 Obedience – the
most important (v.22).
The rebellion against authority is visible through:
- our thoughts about the situation (v.21).
- that we fear men more
that God (v.24).
2.8 Obedience
– the principle of the Son
2.8.1 David (1.Sam
24,4-7; 26,9-11).
2.8.2
Jesus (John 5,19+30; Hebr 5,8).
2.8.3
Paul (Acts 22,10).
Satan’s principle is rebellion.
2.8.4 The
obedience of faith – the purpose for the apostle’s ministry (Rom 1,5).
Written
& taken by permission of Dr. Leif S. Jacobsen ,
http://www.theword.no/engelsk/indexE.htm
