Authority of the believer

[Mark2010]

This may well be a controversial topic, but here goes....

What sort of authority has God given to Christians?

Is this given to ALL Christians or only certain persons?

Does it come at salvation or sometime later?

How does one exercise this authority?

Feel free to post your experiences, things you have read in the Bible or elsewhere, but please refrain from name-calling and sarcasm.

 

[tturt]

Good topic -

This is definitely an area where WOFers are criticized by some others. Some view Christians who believe in having spiritual authority as putting ourselves a lot higher than we should - that we should be servants and they see those two perspectives as opposite. However, to me only being a servant to Christ Jesus do we have any authority.

Just one area where we have spiritual authority is stated in Luk 9:2 "And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." Again some don't believe that we're to have faith that God heals the sick yet they would never say He doesn't want us to do the first part of this verse - "preach the kingdom of God."

 

[JustAFadedMemory]

Ephesians 1:17-23
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

 

[spiritfilledwoman]

One of the basic foundational scriptures for the authority of the believer is found in John 14:12, where Jesus says, “…if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.” (Amplified Bible) This is really what the Great Commission is about: continuing on earth the work that Jesus started (preaching the Good News, getting people delivered from the bondage of Satan in their physical bodies, etc). That’s why the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is so important to the believer, to empower them to continue on in the work of the Lord.

 

[CindyisHis]

Luke 10:18 And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.
19 "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.
20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

According to this, it is to the ones whose "names are written in heaven". I like this scripture because it helps us to keep our perspective. Although I can't imagine getting more excited about having authority over the enemy than having my name written in the Lamb's Book of Life, apparently, there must be some danger of that happening.

Another good point in this passage of scripture, satan is fallen. Satan was once in heaven, now cast out. He held a very high place at one time in heaven, but no more. Now he is under our feet.

Eph. 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

No matter who you are in the body of Christ, if Christ is the head, and He is, satan is under our feet, for all things are under Christ's feet. The one who just this second made Jesus the Lord of his life, actually has authority over satan, whether he knows it or not, and satan will do his best to keep him from finding out.

 

[Nobel22]

Go to this website http://studytheword.net/ and download Mike's teachings on it. He is one of the best teachers I've heard on the subject. Sat through the entire series atleast 5 times lol.. It hoenstly changed the way I think and how I look at myself. I realised the power I have as a Son of God and the rights to have and do things by faith because it is the way God intended for things to be. Check the teachings out mate as I am 100% sure you will not be dissatisfied.

-Nobel

 

[psalms 91]

We as believers have all power and authority based upon the word and the name of Jesus. We are hiers and sons of God and Christ is our big brother. We are kings and priests, we are the bride of Christ. Our power and authority are through the name of Jesus and having Him as lord of all in us and by doing this knowing the will of God and using our opower accordingly but it has to be more than head knowledge, it has to be heart knowledge because satan will try to move you off of your power by circumstances in your life, whatever it takes. Only those who stand firm upon the Wored will realize the power in their lives

 

[J4Jesus]

Hi Mark

Have you read my thread on our authority?


http://www.christianforums.com/t3270289-you-have-all-authority.html

 

[CindyisHis]

Authority was first instituted in the garden. In fact, they were the very first words God spoke to man.

Here is where authority should have first been exercised.

Genesis 3 records the account of Adam and Eve’s transgression. We see a dialogue between the evil serpent and Eve, in which he twists the commandment of God. “Did God really say….”

Gen. 3:1 …..And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?"

This same evil serpent is still around, still twisting what God has said. He confronts us continually with thoughts of doubt regarding God’s Word. We must first know what the Word of the Lord is, what His commands are, and what His promises are if we are to stand against the trickery of the enemy.

Ps. 119
10 .…..do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

We must give attention to the Word of God. The more attention we give, the more we will delight in it, for His ways are good and the Word of the Lord is right. If we keep His commands we are kept safe from the evil sin produces. The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 If we keep, or guard, the garden of our hearts the wicked one touches us not. 1 John 5:18

God had given them authority over that garden, over every beast and every living thing. Genesis 1:26 In the same way, God has given us authority over the garden of our hearts and of our lives, to keep out the wicked one. Every thought that comes that is in opposition to the Word, which should be hidden in our hearts, we are to cast down. 2 Corinthians 10:4,5 May we know God’s Word, and may it be hidden in our hearts so that we will not be beguiled of the enemy.

 

[dhtwelve]

Ephesians 1:17-23
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Amen to your signature.

God bless you!

dhtwelve

 

[HephzibahBenJudah]

Luk 9:1Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jhn 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Jhn 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Eph 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],

Eph 2:6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:


Does that give you a hint?