APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY

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The preeminent source of all authority is the WORD of GOD, inspired by God Himself (Mt. 22;29, Mk. 12:24, 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21) and therefore is our authority. The apostle Paul set forth the principle that the authority of the Word of God is binding as long as this earth remains (Mat. 24:25).

The authority of Scripture is derived from its intrinsic nature as a communication from God to man - it is an authority independent of the translators and people’s opinions.
“Forever, O Lord, Thy WORD is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89).

The authority of God and the authority of the Bible are inseparable. Paul clearly told us, “Every scripture inspired of God... that the person of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

On many issues, the Scriptures are silent. But we must realize that silence does not authorize permissive or deviant behavior. The question is not “where does the Scripture prohibit an action?” But rather, “does the Scripture authorize an action?”

Jesus Has All Authority
It was revolutionary! Jesus stated that ALL authority (exousia – the ability and the right to exercise power) in heaven and on earth was given to Him (Matt. 28:18-20).
There’s no limitation to the authority of Jesus.

The inspired apostle Paul declared, “And whatsoever you do, in word or deed, DO ALL in the name of the Lord” (Col.3:17). The do(ing) “all in the name of the Lord” SHOWS that we respect His authority.

Jesus spoke with AUTHORITY, and not as the scribes (Mat. 7:27). A scribe’s work was highly respected and required rigourous accuracy. Being a scribe was an exacting, time-consuming, and painstakingly job. No mistakes were allowed. Mainly, they were in charge of copying the precious Torah. The difference is huge. Jesus initiated the spoken message from God; scribes just wrote it down and copied it.

Colossians 1:16-17 says that ALL THINGS are made by Jesus – the structure of the powers and AUTHORITIES in both heaven and earth were created by and for Jesus. And in Him ALL THINGS consist (meaning are glued together). Without Him, everything would fly apart. Nothing exists by its own design. Jesus created a superlative and complex infrastructure of “thrones and dominions and principalities and authorities.” NOTHING exists without Him -- to this day, the moon still shines at night and the tides still respond to schedule, all because of His authority.

Jesus had the authority to give eternal life (Jn. 17:2).

The winds and the sea obeyed His voice (Mat. 8:26, 27).

He had authority over the Sabbath (Mt. 12:8).

He had authority over temporal matter – He could multiply loaves and fish (Mt. 15:34-38).

Jesus had authority over the creation (like when the fig tree withered away, Mt. 21:19).

Jesus had authority over devils and with authority he commanded even the unclean spirits, and they obeyed him (Mk. 1:27; Lk. 4:36; Mk. 5:7).

He had the authority to forgive sin (Mk. 2:10-12).

He had authority over sickness and death (Mk. 5:41, 42; Jn. 11:43,44; Acts 2:24). As many as touched Him were made whole (Mk. 6:56).

Majesty, power, and authority is through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore (Jude 25).

Jesus had authority over gravity and walked on the water (Mk. 6:49).  He was carried up into heaven (Mk. 16:19). He walked through walls.

Jesus had authority to execute judgment (Jn. 5:27).

He taught as one having authority (Mat. 7:29, Mk. 1:22).

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ’” (Rev. 12:10).

At His name everything must bow (Phil. 2:9-11).

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16, NKJV).

Jesus will RETURN this authority BACK to the Father.

WHY JESUS HAD AUTHORITY
1. His Father delegated authority to Him (Mk. 1:11).
2. He lived under an open heaven (Mk. 1:10).
3. He never “tried” to make things happen.
4. He prepared thirty years for three years of ministry
5. He overcame the wilderness test with the devil (Mk. 1:12-13) and never allowed demons to hinder his assignment (Mk. 1:33).
6. He knew His timing and SEASON (Mk. 1:15).
7. He preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and nurtured new believers (Mk. 1:16-20).
8. He spent “alone time” with His Father (Mk. 1:35).
9. Compassion filled His motivations (Mk. 1:41). He focused on the down-and-out and the sick.
10. He stayed within His geographic assignment (Mk. 1:38).

THE AUTHOR (SOURCE)
The Greek word for authority is “exousia” which comes from the preposition “ex” that means “out of” and the verb “ousia” which is a form of the verb “to be.” Literally, exousia means, OUT OF THE “I AM.”

All legitimate spiritual authority stems from the great I AM (the name of God given to Moses, YHWH, I AM who I AM). God is the I AM and the SOURCE of authority. Spiritual authority refers to “essence” or PRESENCE that comes from God.

Jesus (the issue of the Great I AM) had ALL authority (Mat. 10:1). He gathered together twelve disciples and gave them His (I AM) authority (Mark 3:14).

God set up the church system to have leadership and “authority” in Biblical matters.
Not only does the word “authority” comprise this meaning of “out of the I AM,” it is also understood to come “from one who originates or authors, the one who stands before others with dignity and provides an example.”

An “author” is the one that originates or creates: the SOURCE, or the original designer of a project. Our AUTHOR-ity comes out of The SOURCE of all things.

An “author” or SOURCE gives His authority to do what He says.

Those in “authority” were understood in the Hebrew language to be: “The author, maker, creator, nourisher, teacher, the one who carries a weight of dignity.”
God is the SOURCE of all authority which is unconditional and absolute                  (Ps. 29:10; Isa. 40:1).

We see this “source” concept illustrated in Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus, the AUTHOR (#747 chief leader, from #756 the beginning (originator, source) and finisher of our faith…” (NKJV). Jesus is the AUTHOR. He started it and He will end it all. Jesus is the chief leader and the SOURCE of all.

We must migrate to where our governmental church authority ONLY comes from God – our SOURCE. It seems Biblically clear that the Lord allows us to become under-shepherds and to minister WITH Him. He allows us to replicate His authority. Any rights we have to represent the “government of God here on earth” must be carefully and respectfully handled.

THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS WAS QUESTIONED

Many challenged the authority of Jesus. “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what AUTHORITY do you do these things? AND WHO GAVE THEE THIS AUTHORITY?’” (Mat. 21:23 KJV).
It was an issue of authority when Jesus was accused of blasphemies (Mk 2:6,7), and when His own family said HE was “out of His mind” (Mk. 3:21).

The Pharisees made lying accusations, calling him a gluttonous man and a winebibber (Lk. 7:33-34). The authority of Jesus was often challenged (Lk. 6:6-7). The scribes and pharisees provoked Him to speak of many things (Lk. 11:53-54). They laid in wait for Him, “seeking to catch something out of His mouth that they might accuse and discredit Him” (see also Lk. 7:39). They were angry that He healed on the Sabbath (Lk. 13:14) and that he ate with sinners (Lk. 15:2). They derided (sneered at) Him (Lk. 16:14).

The unrighteous scoffed. They “hoped to catch Jesus in something He said so that they might hand Him over to the governor…” (Lk. 20:20). They condemned Him because they “did not understand the authority that He held” (Lk. 23:2).

JESUS ANSWERED these accusations simply, “If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me…” (Jn. 8:53, 54). And, He explained, even if I told you (the source of my authority), you would not believe (Lk. 22:67).

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