Meaning of AUTHORITY

Power to direct or order, inherent or delegated. All authority belongs to God (Rom. 13:1). All established authorities have been established by God (Rom. 13:2).

There are multiple spheres in which authority is exercised, and all those who hold it have a deep responsibility before God for the way it is exercised (cf. Jn. 19:11).

In the OT we first find the authority of God given to Adam for the dominion of the world (Gen. 1:28; Ps. 8:4-8; Heb. 2:6-8); later this authority passes to Noah (Gen. 9:2-6) in government, and passes to the patriarchs.

The heads of families, the heads of tribes, exercise authority. Leaders especially called by God for times of crisis also emerge, such as Moses, Joshua, the judges.

Authority is institutionalized in Israel with the priesthood (cf. Deut. 17:8-13), although there were lower levels, such as the council of elders of the cities.

Later, in the monarchical regime, divine authority is delegated to the king (1 Sam. 10:1; 12:1, 13), who is a type of the Messiah, the King that God is to impose on this earth (Is. 9:6, 7).

The Lord Jesus clearly states that all authority is given to Him (Mt. 28:18). This authority had been evidenced in his teaching (Mt. 7:29), and in his dominion over creation (cf. Mr. 1: 23-27; 4: 35-41); and morally, to forgive sins, like true God (Mark 2:1-12).

The Lord delegated his authority to his apostles and church. (See BINDING AND LOOSING). He also commands his people to be subject to authorities and magistrates (Rom. 13:1, 2; Tit. 3:1; 1 Pet. 3:22) out of conscience, not out of fear (Rom. 13:5). ), with the express limitation that in case of open conflict between the authority subject to God and the direct authority of God, the believer is subject to obey God rather than men (Acts 4:18-20).

This can never justify rebellion against authority or violence (cf. Rom. 13:2; 1 Pet. 3:8-17).

The day of the direct kingdom of the Lord Jesus will come (Rev. 10:10; 1 Cor. 15:24).
Within the church it has its exercise and leadership in the fear of the Lord (cp. 2 Cor. 10:18; 13:10; Tit. 2:15; 1 Cor. 11:10); It should not be exercised in the manner of the Gentiles (Lk. 22:25), but according to the example of the Lord, serving others (Mt. 20:25-28).

After the departure of the apostles, the believer has as his ultimate authority that of God expressed in his word (Acts 20:32; 1 Pet. 1: 13-21; Jn. 20:31).