Authority and Ability

Last week we heard about the “spirit of Elijah” and how it was passed on to Elisha in a double measure. After tearing apart his own cloths in grief, Elisha returned to the east bank of the Jordan, struck the water with Elijah’s mantle, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” The prophet’s mantle was a symbol of the authority he had been given by God. Therefore, the first thing Elisha did was ‘he tested it’! He proceeded to perform the exact same miracle that he had witnessed with Elijah. How many of you have looked at the life of our Lord Jesus, and in all sincerity declared, “Father, let the same divine power that was in Your precious Son be in me?”

The truth is, exactly the same divine power/ability that was in Jesus abides in you and me. And as with Elisha and Elijah, it was passed on to be used in a greater measure. In John 14:12 the Lord says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” Please understand, the “same divine power/ability” is not without measure, but it is without prejudice! Through the nine “Gifts” of the Holy Spirit there is always enough divine power/ability to meet any given need at any given time! It is the degree of the need that determines the measure of God’s power. But the “spirit of Elijah” did not come upon Elisha without authority being bestowed first. God-given authority is always accompanied by an equipping – the divine power/ability to exercise that authority.

Often the two are bestowed together! When a king was chosen he was given ‘ruling authority’ and ‘anointed’ at the same time. To ‘anoint’ is; to set apart or authorise a person for a particular work, function or service; to consecrate or dedicate a vessel for God’s use. God separates each of us for a particular work, function or service and then He equips us with sufficient power and ability to fulfil our God-given destiny. Note, God never provides authority without power/ability. It would be counter productive if He did.

There are two Greek words translated “power” that illustrate this nicely. The first and most common word is “dinamis” and has to do with ‘ability’ or ‘might’ (power or dynamism held within). The second word is “exousia” and this verb means ‘to exercise ruling authority’ (which refers to the power to prevail, govern or preside over). Both “dinamis” and “exousia” are necessary if you are to do the ‘greater works’ Jesus intended.

What’s interesting to note is that “exousia” is also used for angelic beings and translated “principalities.” If you are going to be truly effective for God you must have the ability or power to destroy with the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), but you also need the authority to disarm the evil forces that rule and reign (Colossians 2:15). And in both instances you must possess a “greater” measure. The power in you must be greater than the devil’s power (1 John 4:4), and the authority you have must be greater than that of the principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness of this age (Ephesians 1:21).

So how exactly do we acquire the power and authority necessary to do the “greater works” that Jesus referred to? Let’s look at the power first… Acts 1:8. “But you shall receive power (dinami) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” The distinctive purpose of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is to enable the church to do the miraculous deeds of power that Jesus Himself had performed (and even more). This is fully in line with the way Jesus operated here on earth.

The Holy Spirit equipped Jesus for ministry. Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, for the Lord has anointed (empowered) Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Since the Day of Pentecost the Spirit of God has been poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28). This means that the Holy Spirit can come upon any believer and empower him the same way that He empowered Jesus. The only difference is that Jesus had the Spirit without measure. But we have the Spirit without prejudice – which means that there is always sufficient power to meet any particular need at any given time. The Holy Spirit, working in and through you, is never void of power!

Now what about authority? How do we rightfully attain the authority needed to disarm and incapacitate the principalities and the rulers of the darkness of this age? Again, we acquire this ‘ruling authority’ the same way Jesus did.

Looking back at the story of Elijah and Elisha, we see clearly that Elisha wanted to get what he felt was his legitimate inheritance. Hebrew tradition had it that when a person was dying he often pronounced a blessing on those around him, so Elisha wanted Elijah to pass on his mantle (authority), as well as his divine ability. Likewise, Jesus received his authority by inheritance and passed it on to His ‘joint-heirs’ – those who were to inherit His Kingdom. However, to fully understand this principle, one needs to join two New Testament scriptures together....

Ephesians 1:18-22: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power (dinameos) toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (the might of His strength) 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 and power (exousia) and might (dinamis) and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church…” “…That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). Notice, we have received our authority by inheritance, which is grace in action, but this divine authority is demonstrated through the use of the name of Jesus.

In Mark 16:17 Jesus states, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues.” Luke 10:17, “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

We should fully understand this process and appreciate the importance of been given the name of Jesus. In John 17:11 Jesus prays to the Father and says this, “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name – the name You gave Me – so that they may be one as We are one.” Jesus received His glorious name directly from the Father, and the same power and authority that God has invested in His own name is also present in the name of Jesus. And we have received it the very same way Jesus did – by inheritance! In Hebrews 1:4, when referring to the angels, it says this about Jesus; “So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs.” Note, authority is always given by inheritance, as this is the legal process and lawful requirement of God’s Kingdom. However, ability is given through empowerment!

The good news for you and for me is that as ‘joint-heirs’, we have the legal right to use the name of Jesus, And because of that, we can exercise our authority over every name that is named! Why? Because, Jesus rose and was exalted to the highest place, and He was given (by inheritance) a name that is superior to and above every other name.

Like Elisha you must now take this mantle and test it, and thereafter, use it to good effect. Remembering this incredible truth – any God-given authority is always accompanied by an equipping (the divine power and ability to exercise that authority). Therefore, anything you do in the name of Jesus is guaranteed to succeed! The victory is yours - to the glory of God the Father!

Chris Demetriou, 11/01/2009