The Indisputable Authority of Jesus and of Believers
Christians have been given authority by Jesus, who has authority over everything. Although the world is dark and the devil is formidable, Christians should be delivering souls from darkness and Satan’s authority, advancing God’s kingdom, and bringing healing and freedom to humanity.
Jesus
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority [exousia] has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matt 28:18)
“who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities [exousia] and powers [dunamis] having been made subject to Him.” (1Pet 3:22)
“to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion [kratos] and power [exousia], both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:25)
“as You have given Him authority [exousia] over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.” (Jn 17:2)
“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power [exousia] to lay it down, and I have power [exousia] to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (Jn 10:18)
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power [exousia] on earth to forgive sins” (Matt 9:6)
As Adopted Children
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right [exousia] to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Jn 1:12-13)
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right [exousia] to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Rev 22:14)
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father.” (Rom 8:15)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2Tim 1:7)
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1Jn 4:18)
Of the Believer
“Behold, I give you the authority [exousia] to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power [dunamis] of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Lk 10:19)
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power [exousia] over the nations” (Rev 2:26)
“to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power [exousia=authority] of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified [hagiazo] by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:18)
“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power [exousia] over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” (Matt 10:1)
“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power [dunamis] and authority [exousia] over all demons, and to cure diseases.” (Lk 9:1)
“And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power [exousia] over unclean spirits.” (Mk 6:7)
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1Jn 5:4)
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer [tharseo], I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)
“For sin shall not have dominion [kurieuo=lordship over] over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Rom 6:14)
And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” (Rom 6:18)
Authority of Death
“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power [exousia], but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Rev 20:6)
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power [kratos] of death, that is, the devil” (Heb 2:14)
Over Pilate
“Then Pilate said to Him, Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power [exousia] to crucify You, and power [exousia] to release You? Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above [anothen]. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” (Jn 19:10-11)
Over the Spirit World
“which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality [arche] and power [exousia] and might [dunamis] and dominion [kuriotes], and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph 1:20-21)
“having disarmed [apekduomai] principalities [arche] and powers [exousia], He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing [thriambeuo] over them in it.” (Col 2:15)
“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule [arche] and all authority [exousia] and power [dunamis].” (1Cor 15:24)
“to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities [arche] and powers [exousia] in the heavenly places” (Eph 3:10)
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities [arche], against powers [exousia], against the rulers [kosmokrator] of the darkness [skotos] of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness [poneria] in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12)
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones [thronos] or dominions [kuriotes] or principalities [arche] or powers [exousia]. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Col 1:16)
“and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality [arche] and power [exousia].” (Col 2:10)
“to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power [exousia=authority] of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified [hagiazo] by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:18)
“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power [exousia] over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” (Matt 10:1)
“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power [dunamis] and authority [exousia] over all demons, and to cure diseases.” (Lk 9:1)
“And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power [exousia] over unclean spirits.” (Mk 6:7)
“Behold, I give you the authority [exousia] to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power [dunamis] of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Lk 10:19)
Laying on of hands
“saying, Give me this power [exousia] also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 18:9)
Predestination
“Does not the potter have power [exousia] over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?”
Governments
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities [exousia]. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority [exousia] resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority [exousia]? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.” (Rom 13:1-3)
“Remind them to be subject to rulers [arche] and authorities [exousia], to obey [peitharcheo], to be ready for every good work” (Tit 3:1)
“And He said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship [kurieuo] over them, and those who exercise authority [exousiazo] over them are called benefactors.” (Lk 22:25)
Self-Mastery
“But beware lest somehow this liberty [exousia] of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.” (1Cor 8:9)
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful [sumphero]. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power [exousiazo] of any.” (1Cor 6:12)
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful [sumphero]; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify [oikodomeo].” (1Cor 10:23)
Authority of Darkness
“He has delivered us from the power [exousia] of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col 1:13)
Victory of the Believer
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors [hupernikao] through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:37)
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Cor 15:57)
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (2Cor 2:14)
“For whatever is born of God overcomes [nikao] the world. And this is the victory that has overcome [nikao] the world—our faith.” (1Jn 5:4)
“For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb 13:5,6)
“And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.” (2Tim 4:18)
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matt 11:12)
“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30)
“and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” (Matt 28:20)
“that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us” (Lk 1:71)
“The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; from heaven He will thunder against them.” (1Sam 2:10)
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isa 54:17)
“The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies.” (Isa 42:13)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1Pet 5:8,9)
“I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.” (1Jn 2:14)
“You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.” (Ps 115:11)
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield [magen] and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Ps 18:2)
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (Jn 10:28)
“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” (Jn 10:29)
“Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle – my lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge” (Ps 144:1,2)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens [endunamoo] me.” (Phil 4:13)
“You therefore, my son, be strong [endunamoo] in the grace [charis] that is in Christ Jesus.” (2Tim 2:1)
