“ALL AUTHORITY” DOESN’T MEAN “EQUAL AUTHORITY”

Luke 7:1-10

1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue." 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

 The spiritual world is a world of Divine order. Whether that is the “dark side” consisting of principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, etc. (Eph 6:12 – Col. 1:16), or, the “Light side”, consisting of Archangels, watchers (Daniel 4:17), seraphim, cherubim, living creatures, etc. They all follow a legal system of Divine order. There is no insubordination within the spirit world. Each class follows explicit orders of the superiors over them without question.  

While All May Have Authority, “ALL AUTHORITY” Isn’t Equal.

 Jesus praised the centurion’s faith because he understood authority and order. Few in the church today understand Divine order and authority, or at best, are willing to follow it. Biblical examples of Divine order and authority are as follows: 

Divine Order and Authority in the home. Eph 5:22-24 

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. 

Nevertheless, we don’t always find it this way. In many homes the husband isn’t committed to Christ, or, he isn’t there at all. That leaves the wife to become the spiritual head, (out of Divine order) though necessitated to be so.

 Divine Order and Authority in the Church. 1 Cor. 12:28

 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers...

 However if an individual church, denomination, or movement doesn’t embrace the fact that apostles and prophets still exist, does that excuse them from following Divine order? NO!

 2 “Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

 The Jerusalem apostles set what we’ve come to know as deacons over the task of “serving tables”. Yet, many independent and denominational churches put these “servants” over pastors and 5-fold ministries as a greater authority. Again, not Biblical, and not Divine order. Is it any wonder why there are such divisions and church splits over decisions being made by those who have no Biblical authority to do so? 

Paul also recognized Divine authority and order. He was first submitted to the Antioch Church (Acts 13:1-3), as well as the mother church at Jerusalem. (Galatians 3:18-19, Acts 9:26-30) When a crisis arose regarding circumcision and grace, the issue was presented to the Jerusalem apostles. In their final summation of the case, James the leader of the Jerusalem church and the half brother of Jesus, made this statement: “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden that these necessary things:” Acts 15:28

 The final authority always resting upon the Holy Spirit. “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us…” God Himself is in charge of His church! Not a committee, nor a named group of men or women. Authority always flows from the head down, not from the feet up. A servant in the church does not have the authority to correct, or tell the man of God what to do, or even how to do it.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 

You cannot give a superior a command. That is called insubordination, to reject authority. This is why Jesus marveled over the centurion’s faith. “But say the word and my servant will be healed.”  

Respect The Office and the Man 

A major problem with the Western church is there is little respect for the office of a man of God. The early church, as well as, many parts of the world today indeed shows honor to the man of God. Sometimes even to an extreme. Nevertheless, many in the American church only see the man of God as someone they hired. They hired him they can fire him. To them his message consist of entertainment and opinion, not a message from God. The true man of God can only submit to those over him in biblical order and position by relationship, not by rules of decorum. 

Different Levels of Authority:

 Some 5-fold ministers (apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastor, teachers) authority may only reside within their local class, church, or cell group. Others are given opportunity to serve regions, territories, or nations. Just as there are different levels of law enforcement, i.e. authorities, who operate at a regional, state, national, or international level, equally so, men of God are given a level of authority.  John 15:16 says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you…” It is Gods sovereign choice as to who does what, where. 

Authority can be promoted or demoted: 

In Jesus parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) faithfulness was the determining issue regarding promotion and demotion.  “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” Matthew 25:29 

All Authority 

Only One has “all authority”, that is, Jesus. 

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18 

20 “ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all”. Ephesians 1:20-23 

Nevertheless, while Jesus has “all authority” it doesn’t mean we each have “all authority”. In fact Hebrews tell us all things are waiting to be put under subjection to Him through His church. 

6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor,  And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet."  For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus,” Hebrews 2:6-10

 In other words we see Jesus who has all authority and all things put under Him and we, the church, are learning our place and position to cooperate with Heaven in bringing His Kingdom come.  The final authority is and always will be God! 

21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 1 Corinthians 15:21-25

 Note that even in the resurrection there is a Divine order. 

What authority do I have? 

Finally, regardless of my position, whether it be pastor, or a member in the pew, if I am living in obedience to the perfect will of God, then I have authority over every thing I face within my jurisdiction granted me. To make this perfectly clear: If you are living in sin and disobedience don’t expect demons and disease to be subject to you. You are already living under their control and not Holy Spirit control. 

Rules of engagement: 

I have no authority over a person, place, or territory that has not first been given, or released to me. This would explain why some men of God have awesome miracles, healings, and deliverances on their home “turf”. Yet, when traveling elsewhere the results are minimal. Authority can be released from one man of God to another. Still one of the determining factors of the level of anointing to operate in, is in the reception of the people before you. The higher the hunger and respect of the man of God, the greater the anointing. Doubt and disrespect produces lower levels of anointing. 

If I am attacked spiritually in a place where I have not been given authority to minister, then, because the rules of engagement have been broken, I now have authority to respond victoriously. 

Conclusion: 

There will always be those who despise authority and refuse to follow Divine order. There will always be those who ignorantly think they can correct a man of God, (whether he is right or wrong is irrelevant,) and tell him how to do it. In a military command there is what is known as: “on a need to know basis”. That is, IF you need to know, you will be told. If not, you follow the orders of your superiors without question. The Generals give the orders and the lower ranking officers carry it out all the way down to the enlisted men. So, tell me, why are the “enlisted men” within the Church going from place to place correcting the Generals? 

2 Peter 2:9-10 “then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.

Often the bottom line for these who “despise authority” is: “If we don’t correct the man of God, who will?”

 Jesus!