What Is Authority?
Introduction:
Read
Jude
24-25.
It informs us that God has had dominion and authority from the
beginning. But what does having authority really mean?
Body:
I.
Exousia
-
Vine’s
– From the meaning of “leave or permission”, or liberty of doing
as one pleases, it passed to that of “the ability or strength
with which one is endued”, then to that of “the power of
authority”, the right to exercise power. This is the Greek word
used in
Jude, verse 25.
A.
God
-
Luke 12:5
Authority to cast into hell
-
Acts 1:7
Over times and seasons
-
Romans 9:20-21
Power over the day
B.
Secular Rulers –
Romans 13:1-3
C.
Believers
-
John 1:12
To become children of God
-
Revelation 22:14
To the tree of life
D. Christ
-
Matthew 21:23
Vine’s – the power of one whose will and commands must
be obeyed by others Also
Matthew 28:18
-
John 5:27
To execute judgment
-
Mark 2:10-11
To forgive sins
-
John 17:2
To
give eternal life
II.
Epitage
-
Vine’s
– An injunction Verb – “to command”
Titus 2:15
-
Romans 16:25-26
God commands
III.
Dunastes
-
Vine’s
- Akin to dunamis, “power” (English dynasty) signifies a
potentate, a high officer
-
Acts 8:27
Eunuch
-
I
Timothy 6:15
Describes God
IV.
Onama
-
Vine’s
– “In recognition of the authority of”
-
Colossians 3:17
Invitation:
Since God’s
Word says Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, He and
only He has the right to command and set the conditions for
salvation.
Bobby Stafford
May 13, 2012
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