Lets look at the classic in scripture of someone who fully understood authority. The Centurian in Mt 8
First of all authority is given when one knows ones position.
Jesus knew His position by His Fathers words – ‘This is my son in whom I am well pleased’. Jesus knew His position first then went into wilderness to challenge Satan.
For us the ecclesia, He Jesus is seated at the right – hand of the Father in heaven and says to us – ‘all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth, therefore go …”
Authority comes because of position Position releases authority. Power comes from authority.
Authority gave centurian power to do what is to be done. Authority also has boundaries of delegation, sphere of operation. There are arena of authority. Jesus had His as He said He ‘was sent to lost sheep of house of Israel.’ Likewise the Centurion had his arena in the sphere of Caesars rule.
The centurion knew this fully when he said to Jesus Mt 8:9 “For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” His arena was military.
He knew exactly how Jesus operated ‘under heavenly’ authority. As he said “For I am also am a man under authority”, and he describes how it worked. Jesus called that great faith.
Look at ‘Under’ Authority’ in different translations:
Lk 7:8 Centurian said: “I am an ordinary man. Yet I understand the power of authority, and I see that authority operating through you. I have soldiers ‘under’ me who obey everything I command. I also have authorities over me whom I likewise obey. So Master, just speak the word and healing will flow.”
TPT The centurion said, “I am a man under authority, and when I say something, people do what I say.”
MSG “Now catch this, the centurion’s understanding and implication was since Jesus was also under authority, if He said it, it would be done. What amazed Jesus was his use of the word “under”.
Everyone else who had seen Jesus minister said Jesus ‘spoke with authority’, but this man said Jesus spoke ‘as one under authority’. The centurion understood what so many others had not grasped—the living reality that the authority in which Jesus moved was being given to Him by a greater authority (the Father). No one else had recognized this! A primary key in receiving and operating in the Lord’s authority. It is impossible to operate rightly and do things with the Lord’s authority without first abiding under His rule.
Authority comes out of union with the Lord. Authority will not be available unless He decides to impart it.
Jn 3:27 (AMP) John replied, “A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing at all] unless it has been granted to him from heaven [for there is no other source than the sovereign will of God]. NLT John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. VB Apart from the gifts that come from heaven, no one can receive anything at all. TPT: John replied, “A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing at all] unless it has been granted to him from heaven [for there is no other source than the sovereign will of God].
Sent ones normally have an explicit commission – given authority to speak.
‘With authority’ what I say proves I am sent and authorised to serve in that capacity.
How was Jesus under authority and how did He minister in that capacity? In showing this it helps us to do what He has done and operate in the same way.
JESUS under AUTHORITY.
Mat 15:24 Jesus said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Jn 16:5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me”
Jn 7:29 “I do know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”
Lk 10:16 “The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; but the one who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
Jn 12:44 Now Jesus cried out and said, “The one who believes in Me, does not believe only in Me, but also in Him who sent Me.” Jn 13:20 “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who receives anyone I send, receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
Jn 13:20, “He that receives whomever I send receives Me.”
Jn 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Jn 5:30 “I can do nothing on My own. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Jn 7:18 “The one who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
Jn 12:49 “For I did not speak on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.”
Jn 5:19 “The truth is that the Son does nothing on His own; all these actions are led by the Father. The Son watches the Father closely and then mimics the work of the Father.”
Jn 12:49
For I did not speak on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what/how to say it..
Position releases Authority which gives power to be & do.
When Jesus took His position in heaven then the power from on High came ac 2 to the ecclesia.
Position releases power. Position is authority to release the power.
I hope the ecclesia which has the ability to influence cities be the same as what was read in Act 17:6 “These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
Church – move in new power revelation of your authority and position!