There are few subjects that have been more misunderstood, neglected, or abused than the authority Jesus Christ has given to His followers.
Some Christians have ignored it altogether, believing the miraculous works of the early church belonged only to the apostles. Others have treated authority as though it were a personal power they possess rather than a privilege they steward. Somewhere between ignorance, fear and pride lies a narrow path... the path of biblical authority.
This article isn't to argue for one tradition over another. Rather, it is to simply ask one question: What did Jesus actually say?
If we are willing to set aside our assumptions and let Scripture speak for itself, I believe we will discover something that is absolutely amazing: Christ has entrusted His people with far more than many of us have ever realized.
Authority Begins with Identity
One of the greatest mistakes we make is trying to understand authority before understanding identity. Authority is never rooted in who we are apart from Christ. It is rooted entirely in who we are because of Christ.
Before Jesus ever sent His disciples to preach, heal the sick, or cast out demons, He first called them to Himself. Their authority flowed from relationship.
Jesus said,
"I am the vine; you are the branches... apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Notice that Jesus did not say, "Apart from Me you can do very little." He said nothing.
Everything we accomplish in the Kingdom flows from abiding in Him.
The enemy would love for us to believe one of two lies: that we are powerless, or we are powerful in ourselves. Both are false.
The truth is far better... we are completely dependent upon Christ, yet completely secure because we belong to Him. Paul reminds us,
"He raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6)
That isn't just random literary writing, it is our position before God.
When we begin to understand who we are in Christ, fear begins to lose its grip.
Jesus Delegated His Authority
The next question is also simple. Did Jesus actually give His followers authority?
The answer throughout the Gospels is yes. He called the twelve and:
"He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction." (Matthew 10:1)
Later, He expanded that authority to the seventy-two.
"I have given you authority... over all the power of the enemy..." (Luke 10:19)
After His resurrection He commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations.
He promised that believers would preach the gospel, lay hands on the sick, and minister in His name (Mark 16:15–18).
The book of Acts is simply believers taking Jesus at His word. Peter healed. Philip cast out demons. Paul commanded spirits to leave.
Ordinary believers prayed with extraordinary confidence because they believed Jesus meant what He said. The question is not whether Jesus possesses authority. He declared,
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." (Matthew 28:18)
The question is whether we believe He has commissioned us to represent Him faithfully.
Authority Is Representation
This may be the most important truth in this entire article: Biblical authority is never independent authority. It is delegated authority.
Imagine a sheriff's deputy. His authority does not come from his personality. It does not come from his confidence. It does not even come from his physical strength. It comes from the badge he wears and the office he represents.
Likewise, the believer has authority because he represents the King.
Jesus never intended us to operate independently of Him. He intended us to act as ambassadors of His Kingdom.
We speak in His name.
We pray in His name.
We minister in His name.
Everything points back to Him.
Jesus Never Ministered from Fear
Let's visit some of the Gospels for a moment. Notice how Jesus spoke.
To sickness: "Be healed."
To storms: "Peace. Be still."
To demons: "Come out."
To death: "Lazarus, come forth."
There was no panic. No uncertainty. No bargaining. Not because Jesus was arrogant. Because He knew the Father's will perfectly. Our confidence should never come from ourselves, it should come from confidence in Christ.
The more we know His heart, the more confidently we can obey Him.
Authority Is Not Presumption
Here is where many people become confused.
Faith is not pretending. Authority is not demanding God perform our wishes.
Presumption says, "God has to do what I say." Faith says, "I will boldly stand on what God has already said." There is a world of difference.
Biblical authority always submits itself to Scripture and it never seeks to replace it.
Why So Many Christians Never Walk in Authority
Many believers genuinely love Christ, yet rarely step into the authority He has entrusted to them. Why?
Sometimes it is fear. Sometimes it is unbelief. Sometimes it is poor teaching.
Sometimes it is simply because no one has shown them what Scripture actually says.
Oftentimes too, I think we are waiting to feel ready. The disciples did not become courageous before they obeyed. They became courageous because they obeyed.
Every act of obedience strengthened their confidence in the One who sent them.
Confidence grows through faithful obedience.
What About When Nothing Happens?
This is a common pitfall, where many believers become discouraged.
We pray. We command. We believe. Nothing seems to happen.
Does that mean Christ's authority failed? Not at all.
The disciples themselves experienced moments when ministry did not produce immediate results. In Matthew 17 they could not cast out a demon. Jesus did not tell them authority had been taken away.
Instead, He instructed them concerning faith, prayer, and dependence upon God.
Authority is never a mechanical formula. It is a relationship with the living Christ.
Sometimes we see immediate breakthrough. Sometimes we persevere.
Sometimes we simply trust God with what we cannot yet understand.
Our responsibility has never been to guarantee outcomes, our responsibility is faithful obedience. The results belong to the Lord.
How Do We Grow in Authority?
The answer is surprisingly simple.
Know Jesus.
Study His Word.
Remain close to Him.
Obey quickly.
Pray constantly.
Walk in humility.
Exercise what He has already entrusted to you.
The authority of the believer is not developed through hype. It is cultivated through intimacy. As your understanding of Christ deepens, your confidence in representing Him grows.
A Challenge
Over the next several weeks, read these four books with one question in mind:
Ephesians
Luke
Acts
Colossians
Each time you read, ask yourself, "What has Jesus already authorized His followers to do?" Write every observation down. Do not build your theology on culture or tradition. Do not build it on past personal experiences.
Build it on the words of Christ.
Final Thoughts
Perhaps the greatest obstacle to walking in the authority of Christ is that we have made it about ourselves. We wonder whether we are spiritual enough.
Whether we have enough faith. Whether we are qualified. Whether we have enough experience.
The early disciples would answer those questions very differently. Their confidence was never in themselves. Their confidence was in the One who sent them.
You will never become powerful by trying to feel powerful. You become courageous by becoming convinced that Jesus truly is who He says He is.
As your confidence in Him grows, fear begins to disappear. Faith begins to rise. Obedience becomes natural. And slowly, almost without realizing it, you stop merely believing that Christ has authority. ..and you begin faithfully walking in it.
I pray that your eyes become opened by this information. And that we never seek power for our own reputation. May we always seek only to glorify the One who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, for without Him, we can do NOTHING.
May these expressions bear witness that Jesus Christ is still Lord, still reigning, still saving, still delivering, still healing, and still building His Church through ordinary men and women who are willing to believe and trust in Him, completely.
~Devin
Devin Osborne
The Early Church
