Question Authority

By Laura Ottaviano

I want to encourage you to question authority.  Not in the rebellious way that my title initially implies.

But question it nonetheless, and in the context of your spiritual life.

What is biblical authority? Who has it? How do we get it? And most importantly, how do we wield it?

True Spiritual Authority

The definition of authority is: The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

As a young person, before I came to Christ, I questioned authority constantly.

In childhood, I had some not-so-pleasant experiences with my teachers in Catholic school.

Their behavior was often harsh and unfair, and yet they demanded obedience simply because they said so.

This led me to distrust authorities, leaving me asking, “What gives you the right to be the boss of me?”

My parents, too, at times demanded obedience without first giving understanding – necessary, of course, at times, especially for young children, but not at all helpful to my natural bent to rebel.

Later, when I was fresh out of college, I began working for a federally funded research center that performed analytical research for the Navy and the Marines.

And as you might guess, there were bound to be some issues.

In the military, everyone stands when the highest-ranking officer enters the room.

As analysts working closely with the military personnel, it was expected that we would do the same.

I remember “standing” on the outside, but on the inside, I was asking, “Why should I stand for you? Aren’t you just another human being, just like me?” 

Yes, I was questioning authority. 

“Why should I respect you? I don’t even know you or what you are like. Who says you get to have the final say?”

Needless to say, I was incredibly prideful and ignorant of all that it takes for our military leaders to make those higher ranks.

And I have since learned to respect the experience and hard work of our military leaders.

But in a theoretical way, young me wasn’t wrong. Did the uniform alone demand respect?

Didn’t it matter what you were like to earn that authority? Who gave you that authority, and what does it mean to have that backing?

Does character have anything to do with authority?

It wasn’t until I came into the Kingdom of God that I understood authority, its original source, and why it is so important to understand delegated authority and how to wield it properly.

In the military, all soldiers must understand the chain of command, or chaos ensues. 

In every organization, from a multi-national corporation to a family home, these lines of authority create order, stability, and peace.

The Bible tells us that when a righteous person is in authority, the citizens are blessed and the land is prosperous. But when a wicked person rules, the people moan.

The most that citizens can hope for with imperfect humans is some moral backbone in their leaders, or at least an eventual change when a wicked leader rises to power.

I’m not only interested in questioning man-made authorities but also spiritual authority.

In the Kingdom of Heaven, only one authority is absolute and unchanging. God.

God is the supreme authority, and He is Good. He deserves all respect, both by His status as Creator and His pure and Holy character.

As Creator and Owner of the universe and everything and person in it, His power and rights are of the highest rank.

As the unchangeable, loving, and just God of all, He is a good leader and reigns without corruption.

Because God is the supreme authority, what He says goes.  In particular, if God delegates authority, all other beings must acknowledge it.

Delegated Spiritual Authority

Let’s dive into God’s delegated authority in the spirit realm, how it plays out on earth, and specifically how it affects us as believers.

When Jesus came to the earth, He claimed to come in the authority of God as the One delegated to do works that glorified God.

It caused quite a stir for a man to say such things. He debated extensively with the religious leaders who questioned him about authority.

They asked in Mark 11:28, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you the right to do them?” (ESV/2008)

That sounds a lot like college-rebel me.

In response, Jesus asked them a question about authority.

He asked, “John’s baptism – was it from heaven or of human origin?” (ESV/2008)

They were afraid to answer either way because it would expose them as hypocrites who had no intention of following God’s appointed agents.

Jesus was trying to get them to think.

Scripture also says that one day every knee, including those of the religious leaders, shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD. 

That’s the end goal and result of the spiritual authority Jesus has entrusted us with.

In the throne room of God, the Word tells us that Jesus is seated at the “right hand of God.” 

The right side of the throne is a seat of authority. We often use the term “right-hand man,” meaning the person closest to the leader who has the leader’s total trust in carrying out His orders.

Paul tells us what Jesus’s right-hand authority includes in Ephesians 1:21-22: 

“He is seated in heavenly places far above all principalities, and powers, and rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church.” (ESV/2008)

This language speaks of layers and rankings.

Much like our military is broken down into branches and chains of command, the Word of God indicates that there are structures of authority as well.

Jesus is clearly above all other spirits. He is completely obedient as the Son of God to the ultimate authority of the Father.

Like any good right-hand man, when Jesus speaks, He unquestionably represents the Father’s Will and Word.

Ok, Jesus and God are in charge. But I’m still questioning.

Where do I come in?

To understand if and how man has any authority to wield, we have to consider Genesis, the Book of Beginnings.

When God first created the earth, He retained the title of Maker and Owner, but He created humans to govern the Earth, to take dominion, and to fill the earth.

Man didn’t stay in charge for long. Created in the image of God, they used their free will to rebel against God.

In following the deception of Lucifer, they essentially handed over the keys of Earth to Satan. 

God, always the just and unchanging being that He is, could not just take back the Earth.

He had given it to man, and the authority was His to choose how Earth would be ruled.

Many people recoil at this thought. They see God as Sovereign, which He ultimately is.

However, they also blame God for everything they see going on in the earth.

But at this point in the story, God, in His integrity, has no choice but to follow man’s wishes in the matter.

To do otherwise would upend the entire universe. No hyperbole. 

The integrity of God’s Word literally holds the universe together. Through the Word of God, all things consist – or hold together.

And thus we see the necessity of God, specifically the Son of God - Jesus - coming AS a man.

The Bible calls Him the second Adam.

God literally took on flesh and blood so that a MAN with authority on the Earth could live a righteous life and claim the earth back from Satan.

Jesus did just that! Legally, as a man.

The Bible details for us that Jesus stripped Satan of all the authority he stole from fallen man through their sin of allegiance with him.

Jesus now quite literally became the Master of Earth.

God was no longer on the outside looking in.

He had come into the earth and conquered it with His loving sacrifice.

Jesus then did something astounding. 

He turned around and delegated that authority to those who are reborn through faith in His substitutionary work. 

Before ascending to the right hand of God, where He ever lives to intercede with us, He gave believers the authority he had won back.

Let’s look at that monumental moment, detailed in the Great Commission - the final instructions that Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-19:

​​“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (ESV/2008)

Here, in Jesus’s own words, we have confirmation that He has indeed been given all authority in both the earthly and heavenly realms. 

However, just as exciting is the fact that he now chooses to delegate that authority to men - specifically, as needed to go, preach, and disciple others.

He promises to be present with them through His name and to essentially “back up” that authority.

In Mark’s account of this commissioning in Chapter 16, verses 15-18, we see even more detail about what Jesus expects believers to do, backed by the authority of His name:

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” (ESV/2008)

Clearly, Jesus is speaking primarily of spiritual authority.

By this command given by King of Kings and Lord of Lords, believers are granted the right to preach the Word.

This authority is what gives believers the RIGHT to preach even when governments, fueled by ignorance, hatred for God, or demonic influence, dictate otherwise.

Now let’s look at seven key principles about this delegated believers’ authority.

Seven Principles of Delegated Spiritual Authority

• Delegated authority is only as powerful as the legal entity behind it.

In our case, God Himself backs up our authority.  We can be sure that when we speak and act properly as God ordains, using the Name of Jesus, that all of God’s power is behind that name.

• Authority must be exercised.  

Although we have been granted authority to preach and to cast out devils, etc., we must still act.

Our authority is wielded through words. So our primary action is to speak - whether in sharing the Word, in prayer, or in commanding devils out in Jesus name.

Jesus taught us that faith speaks. That even if we have a grain of mustard seed of faith, we can say to the mountains, be removed and be cast into the sea.

Mountains are often used symbolically to refer to leadership positions. 

The sea often references the masses of people.

God’s Word says that God lifts one person up to leadership and puts another down, back into the sea. 

Amazingly, He does that through the prayers of saints who understand and wield their authority on the earth in prayer.

• Authority is rooted in identity. 

You can have delegated authority to cast mountains into the sea or to preach boldly with signs following or to cast out devils, but if you don’t KNOW you have that authority as a believer, you won’t use it.

Or if you don’t know who you are in Christ, His ambassador, you will likely shrink back.

In Acts 19:13-15, we read an account of the sons of Sceva who attempted to use the Name of Jesus, without themselves being disciples of Jesus.

“A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!”  Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” (ESV/2008)

The story goes on to tell us that the demon-possessed man stripped those seven men naked and sent them fleeing for their lives. 

This account teaches us that this delegated authority belongs to believers and is best wielded by those who KNOW who they are in Christ.

• To walk in authority, you must respect authority.   

This principle follows after the one above, but expands our understanding.

We must come UNDER the headship of Jesus to qualify to speak in His name.

The Bible is clear that authority matters to God, and keeping lines of authority versus breaking them is a serious matter.

Satan himself broke ranks and tried to usurp God’s authority. Isaiah gives us a glimpse of his prideful disrespect in Isaiah 14:12-14:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.” (ESV/2008)

We must always endeavor to submit ourselves to God’s authority first and foremost.

It is His will, His words, His decrees that we have been equipped with authority to carry out.

• Exercising authority doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic.

When we walk in the delegated authority of Jesus, even a whisper of His name must be obeyed.

Confidence, not decibels, gets the job done. Certainly, we should be emphatic, but we don’t need to be dramatic. 

And we need not go picking fights to prove or abuse that authority.

Satan would love to get us into theatrics and pride instead of remaining humble carriers of God’s anointing.

Jesus Himself gave us our standard to follow.

When the enemy tempted Him to use His authority to command stones to be made into bread, Jesus spoke the Word of God and resisted that temptation to show off His authority or prove His identity. 

He knew that His authority was to be wielded as God commanded for God’s purposes.

• The greatest use of this believer’s authority is to preach the Word of God.

Jesus said GO! And with that commissioning, He transferred the authority we needed to carry it out.

We are free to preach because Jesus said to. 

Even if a government does not tolerate or allow it, Jesus’ authority is higher. 

I rarely advise believers to disobey government rule. 

God says that the leaders are over us for our good, and we should submit to them.

However, I believe there is one exception to this general rule.

If a government enacts a law that tries to supersede this commission, we must bravely obey Jesus first.

Jesus did not promise that obedience to this commission would not result in trial and persecution.

But He did assure us that He would be with us through whatever comes.

• Lastly, authority is up to God to enforce.  

Ultimately, God is the one who promises to confirm the Word we preach and implement the commands we speak in His name.

When we stay humble and obedient, we can wield this delegated authority confidently, knowing that God will back us up. 

Just like a state or federal government backs up a policeman with a badge as he goes out to deal with the public, God will be behind His followers as they GO in His name.

Our job is to exercise His delegated authority and give God the glory.

Peter and John demonstrated the kind of confidence and humility that I have been talking about in wielding the authority of the Name of Jesus to bring about God’s will. 

Shortly after they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they were walking into the temple when a lame man begged them for some money. 

Peter responded in Acts 3: 5-8 by giving him something much more valuable.

“Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”  The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.” (ESV/2008)

And sure enough, they were surrounded by others who began to “question authority”. 

Peter used the opportunity to point people to Jesus and preach the good news.

Even after the local “authorities” arrested them and questioned them, Peter responded with the answer he knew in Acts 4: 9-10:

“Rulers and elders of our people,  are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene.” (ESV/2008)

With these principles in place, we can do just as Peter and John did.

We can go and preach, speak God’s Word, and release His power, commanding healing, binding and loosing on earth what is already bound and loosed in heaven—including commanding angels and binding and casting out demons.

Believers can operate in their authority in faith and spiritual warfare - calling those things that God wants into being, bringing every thought into the obedience of Christ, casting down imaginations, and pulling down strongholds.

Will others question our authority in Christ? Most likely they will. 

But we can be ready to give them answers: that Jesus is Lord and God gets all the glory!

References

English Standard Version Bible. (2008). Crossway Bibles.