THE BELIEVER'S AUTHORITY

In the Old Testament we find a few anointed people: kings, prophets and priests. In the New Testament, at the outpouring at Pentecost, we are told, "This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel...In the last days, says God, I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh" Acts 2:17,18. Even the humblest of believers would receive supernatural anointing and power.

 

Jesus came not only to do something for us but in us and through us. He came to give us His Spirit of authority and power. For He said, "He who believes in Me, the works that I do will he do also; and greater works then these will he do, because I go to My Father" John 14:12.

 

Under the Old Testament, God's people went to the priest and to the temple to have sacrifices offered. Under the New Testament the believer IS a priest and a temple and offers sacrifices to God. (See: Rom. 12:1; Heb. 13:15,16)

 

Our Authority Is A Gift

Matt. 10:1 - When He (Jesus) had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease."

 

Luke 9:1 - "Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases".

 

Luke 10:19 - Jesus said to the seventy disciples, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample of serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you".

 

Matt. 28:18, 19 - "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth, Go ye therefore...." This is our power of attorney; power to act in behalf of Another has been given us.

 

Our Authority Is In the Name "Jesus"

The seventy went out in the authority given them, and they made a great discovery. They were ecstatic saying, "Lord even the demons are subject to us in Your name." Luke 10:17.

 

I clearly recall the first time that I commanded demons in Jesus' name. It worked! All believers will find it the same, for "All these signs will follow them who believe. In My name they will cast out demons". Mark 16:17.

 

When you understand the authority of Jesus, you will understand you own authority. Spiritual authority is transferred. The Father gave Jesus authority, and He has given us His authority.

 

In Acts 3 we read of the lame man whom Peter and John healed. The religious authorities asked, "By what power of by what name have you done this?" Acts 4:5-8. Peter replied, "Let it be known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole...nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:10-12.

 

In order to stop any such other miracles, the religious leaders forbade any further use of this Name of authority: "And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus". The religionists soon caught on. Each time there was a miracle, there was a certain name used. The devil wants to intimidate us, but we must not let him take away our boldness to use the name of Jesus.

 

Our Authority in Jesus Is In Our Relationship With Him

As a boy, I could go into our local clothing store and charge things in my father's name. No other boys, except my two brothers, could charge things in my father's name. The clerk knew my relationship with Joseph Carroll Hammond, and the authority vested in his name was honored. Likewise, the devil and his demons know our relationship with Jesus, "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" Phil. 2:9, 10.

 

The sons of Sceva, itinerant Jewish exorcists, thought the name of Jesus was just another formula that they could add to their vocabulary of conjugations, but when they said, "We adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches" it wouldn't work. The demon retorted, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you"? Acts 19:15.

 

The disciples did not beg God for authority. It was freely given by an act of God's grace. Today, any believer can command a short leg to lengthen by saying, "In Jesus' name...", and the two legs will become the same length. I've never seen it fail in thirty years.

 

The disciples did not pray and ask God to cast the demons out or to heal anyone. They simply used the authority given them. You can do it, too! You have the same authority.

 

Act 3:6, 16 - When the lame man was healed "Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk...And in His name, through faith in His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him [Jesus] has given him [the healed man] this perfect soundness in the presence of you all'".

 

So, take a step of faith, and use the authority Jesus has given you.

Use your God-given authority for yourself and for others.