The Source of Our Authority

The Source of Our Authority

In a recent school session, Rebekah Bartels shared the power and imagery of a King’s seal. A King would impress the signet, leaving an impression on an object that would be held by someone as a symbol of the authority bestowed, signifying authority granted by the king himself.

Whoever held the king’s seal operated with the king’s authority within the context of their mission. A seal was granted for a purpose: that a representative could act as a proxy for the king, and their decisions would be final and carry the weight of the king himself. Thus, where the King’s presence was needed in many places, a King could nominate a like-minded, trustworthy nominee and trust the nominee to serve the kingdom and not their own interests or grievances.

Like the Kings of old, Jesus granted His authority to his followers, sending them out on mission in pairs to put their own hands to the ministry they had seen Jesus do. Jesus did not give his disciples physical seals when he sent them out; instead, he sealed them in Spirit, bestowing upon them the power and authority to preach the Kingdom of Heaven, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons (Matthew 10:7-8). Jesus gave his disciples the authority to preach and carry out these works, knowing that he himself was coming in the name of another, the Father.  (John 5:18-19), (John 5:43).

Before the Resurrection, Jesus showed that it was not just for himself to be an agent and representative of the Father (John 5:43), acting as a “sent out” one on the Father’s behalf (John 5:19, Hebrews 3:1-2). Likewise, Jesus sent out his disciples after giving them power to perform miracles, stating it “For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you”. Matthew 10. Jesus also said that whatever you bind/loose on earth will be bound/loosed on heaven, signifying that our actions on earth will carry the weight of God, while we are acting in His name. (Matthew 18:18). Jesus, although entirely God, was also entirely man and under every limitation of man, albeit empowered by the Father in the Holy Spirit to do His work; the same Holy Spirit we have too, that we can continue to carry out His mission.

The mission of God continues. After the Cross and onward until the end of all things, the work of the Father (Trinity) continues through us. We are His agents and have within us the same Holy Spirit. Such authority is not for our own kingdom, but for God’s. The Holy Spirit is a comforter, but it is not just for our comfort, but for the blessing and restoration of many, that many more would know Him. To pray in Jesus’ name is to carry His authority as His delegate, surrendered to His heart and desires on a matter, knowing that Jesus makes intercessions with us (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34). People seek power, but in the Kingdom the power is not for our benefit or glory and is best known by those who are surrendered to Him.

From the time of Jesus, the Kingdom of God has been modelled on delegated authority. We carry the authority of God, for the sake of His work and the scope of the work we are called to. Those whom I know spend a long time in prayer are generally the ones who know their mission and what God is calling them to do. Nonetheless – know that all God has given you is for what He is calling you to be and do; may it be done with all the authority that He has given you.