LESSON THREE: Our Authority In Christ

What Is Authority

Authority is delegated power. In order to heal the sick and cast out demons you must understand your delegated authority to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.  You must understand our authority in Christ.

Luke 10:19 I have given you authority (power – exousia) to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power (dunamis) of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Exousia: ability; privilege, force, capacity, competency, freedom, mastery, delegated influence:–authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

Dunamis: force, miraculous power, a miracle power, strength, mighty work.

What is the difference between Exousia and Dunamis, and how do we make use of each.? Write the answer in your notebook.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit comes on you.

How can we receive dunamis power today? (See Luke 3:16) Write the answer in your notebook.

Delegated Power

Authority for our purposes here has been defined as delegated power (dunamis and exousia).

WHO’S POWER IS IT?

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (kratos).

Kratos: vigor, mighty power, strength.

Whose power is it? How does kratos exemplify this? Write the answer in your notebook.

The Book of Ephesians deals with the power of Messiah and our delegated authority more than any other book. In Ephesians 1:18-23 Paul clearly shows the power of God, which has been placed under the authority and rule of Messiah, is given as part of the inheritance to “us who believe.” It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and set Him above all things – It is the source of our authority.

Eph 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints
19 and His incomparably great power (dunamis) for us who believe. That power (kratos) is like the working of His mighty strength,
20 which He exerted in Messiah when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,
21 far above all rule and authority, power (exousia) and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come
22 And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

Who has access to the power of God and why? Write the answer in your notebook.

Re-read verses 19 – 21 above.

In your own words, what does it say to you? Write the answer in your notebook.

Re-read verses 22 – 23 above.

God has placed all things under the feet of Jesus and Jesus has given us His authority. Where does that place all things for us? Write the answer in your notebook.

Authority has been delegated to us through Jesus. If we are part of His Body then we have His delegated Authority.

Mat 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority (exousia) in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Whose authority is it? Is it available to you? How? Write the answer in your notebook.

Our Job With His Authority

Jesus gave us a job to do. When He gives us something to do He must also give us the Authority to carry it out. He told us to “Go.” He also said we would not be alone but that He would be with us always.

Consider what would happen on a military base if a corporal walks up to his captain and tells him to be the officer in charge of latrine duty for the day. The captain would probably laugh at the corporal who would then find himself on latrine duty. Now, consider the same situation except this time the corporal tells his captain that the base general sent him with the verbal message and that he also has a written order signed by the general. The corporal now carries the general’s authority and it would be as if the general were there in person with the corporal. The captain may not like it but he obeys immediately.

We see an example of lack of authority in Acts 19:13-16 in which some men were trying to use the authority of Jesus for which they were not delegated. This would be like a civilian trying to give latrine duty to the captain in the general’s name. As a Civilian he would have no authority in the chain of command at all.

Acts 19:13 Some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.
14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled from the house naked and wounded.   

On the other hand, we do see proper use of delegated authority by Peter and John when they healed a paralytic in Acts 3:6.

Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”
7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.
8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk.

When we speak with our Heavenly Authority it is as if Jesus is standing right there with us, and, He has given us our written orders in His written Word, the Bible. Those in covenant with Jesus are part of His army and in the chain of command to properly use His authority.

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

What is the difference the stories in Acts 3 and Acts 19? Why did Peter and John have true authority and the Seven Sons of Sceva did not? Write the answer in your notebook.

A Word of Warning: Does Mark 16:18 mean we are to handle poisonous snakes or drink poison? Absolutely not! Jesus said in Matthew 4:7, and in Luke 4:12: “It is written, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” However, what Mark 16:18 actually refers to is that God will keep you safe if you are in Christ and on a mission for the Lord.

Jesus Commanded Us To Go, Not Sit

Jesus is giving us a command and He expects us to do it. He said, “Go.” He did not say sit. Notice the antonyms (opposite) for the word go: Stop, Sit, Halt, Fail, Die.

James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

How are we able to do the things that Jesus has commanded us (given us written orders) in the above scriptures? Write the answer in your notebook.

The Authority of Heaven stands behind our actions.

Mat 16:19 I will give you the Keys (symbol of Authority) of the Kingdom of Heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

USING THE NAME OF JESUS

There is great power in the name of Jesus.

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Messiah Jesus, of Nazareth, walk.”
7 Taking him by the right hand, He helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.

Phil 2:9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Rom 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Mat 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

Find the scripture above that answers the following questions. Who, or what, is subject to the name of Jesus? Does this include sickness? Write the answer in your notebook.

Here are more verses using the Name of Jesus: Find each verse in your Bible and read it aloud.

• Mat. 18:5
• Luke 9:48
• John 14:14
• John 14:26
• John 15:16
• John 16-23-26

In healing ministry, you cannot use the name of Jesus too much!!! Use your authority with the name of Jesus and command the sickness to depart, command the healing. Use the name of Jesus but be mindful of what you are doing. Just saying it as a mindless formula may not accomplish anything.

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus, the Messiah, of Nazareth, walk.”
7 Taking him by the right hand, He helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.

What did Peter do? Write the answer in your notebook.

Speak to the specific thing you want to change and command it. Don’t ask. Don’t say “Please.” Don’t beg. Don’t say “If it be Your will.” COMMAND! You have the authority, the power, and all of Heaven to back you up.” Even though the word COMMAND here is written in bold capital letters, that does not mean you have to yell. Many think they have to yell and make a lot of noise in order to command sickness or infirmity to go. Remember you have authority and that authority does not need loud demonstrations. It just needs you knowing your authority and then using it.

A person comes to you with a complaint of Asthma and asks for prayer. What will you do and say? How? Write the answer in your notebook.