(Chapter 1 - The Key Of The Authority Of Christ)
THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
1. Was Given By The Father
The Greek exousia means a delegated authority, and that is the word that was used by Jesus in Mathew 28:18: “All authority [exousia] is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
We see that authority exercised by Jesus in His earthly ministry. “But when the multitudes saw this, they were filled with awe, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men” (Matt 9:8). It was the authority with which Jesus spoke and ministered that amazed the people.
Yet Jesus said that both His words and His works were given to Him by the Father (John 14:10,11).
2. Encompasses Heaven And Earth
Having died on the cross and been raised by God to the right hand of His throne, Jesus is given “all authority in both heaven and earth.”
Paul declares in Philippians 2:10 that every knee in Heaven, in earth and under the earth must bow to the Name of Jesus. Every tongue will confess that He is Lord.
He has been eternally the Son by nature. But there has also been vested in the son the authority of the Godhead. “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell” (Col 1:19). “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the godhead bodily” (Col 2:9).
a. Authority Over Angels. In Hebrews Chapter 1, Christ is set forth in His exaltation above the angels by virtue of both His divine nature and His glorious office. Thus we read, “And let all the angels of God worship him.”
To none of the angels has God said at any time, “Sit on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” But Christ will reign until the last enemy is destroyed and all things are brought into subjection unto Him. the angels do His bidding.
b. Authority Over Principalities and Powers. We read in Hebrews 4:14 that Jesus “passed into the heavens.” A more literal translation reads that in His ascension He passed “through all the heavens.”
How many heavens are there above us? some say three, some say seven. However many there may be, Christ has passed through them all to be enthroned in the highest seat of authority in the whole universe
That is why Paul could say that God raised Christ from the dead “and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power [authority], and might, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world [age], but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and have him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph 1:20-23).
Although Satan is the “god of this age” and the “prince of the power of the air,” he is located beneath the feet of Jesus and must submit to the authority of the exalted Christ. Did not Christ, in His atoning death, spoil principalities and powers and make a public victory parade of them (Col 2:15)? Did He not defeat Satan and his hosts by shedding His blood and rising from the domination of death with the keys of authority in His hand?
This same Christ is today seated on the throne of universal dominion with all authority given unto Him.
c. Authority Over the Church. In Colossians 1, Paul sets forth the preeminence of Christ over all Creation. This includes that which is seen and unseen, in Heaven and in earth. He has authority over thrones and dominions and principalities and powers. then Paul boldly declares, “He is the head of the body, the church”
A similar picture is presented to us in the Scripture from which we have already quoted (Ephesians 1), but with one significant difference!
In Ephesians we are told that Christ has been made “the head over all things to the church which is his body. “So we see that Christ is not only the authorized “head of the church,” but that He is also head over all things for the church’s benefit.
Not only is the Church compelled to submit to the authority of Christ; it is also privileged to share the results of Christ’s dominion over all things in Heaven and in earth. Should not the Church on earth mirror (reflect) this supreme authority of Christ?
How tragic to behold a church defeated, ineffective and powerless before the onslaughts of Satan.
The true Church is actually the visible Body of the enthroned Christ Who holds universal authority and dominion!
Should we not accept the challenge to be faithful ambassadors and true representatives of the King of kings?
d. Authority to Save And To Judge. Jesus declared that the Son of Man had authority on earth to forgive sins. Peter proclaimed: “There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Yet this same Christ has authority also to judge all men.
Believers will stand before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Unbelievers will face Him as He sits on the Great White Throne in the final judgment.
“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father” (John 5:22,23).
Again in verse 27, the Father “hath given him [the Son] authority to execute judgment.” Hear Paul preaching at Athens: “Because he [God] hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained [Jesus]; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
What awesome authority has been delegated to the Son of God!