The Authority of Jesus and the Church

The question of whether Jesus gives authority to the church is a deep and often debated topic within Christian theology. To understand this, we need to first recognize the unique nature of Jesus' authority and how it is differently distributed to His followers.

Understanding Jesus' Authority

Jesus is not an authoritarian figure; He is a teacher of righteousness. Righteousness, as a free will exercise, cannot be compulsorily imposed upon individuals. Rather, it is something that must be willingly embraced. Therefore, while Jesus has the ultimate authority over all creation, He does not delegate this authority to anyone in the same authoritative sense as a king or a ruler.

Jesus' Teaching and Authority

This is clearly illustrated in several teachings of Jesus, such as Matthew 23:10: "Do not be called master, for you have one master, the Messiah." This statement emphasizes that only Jesus holds the title of the master as the Messiah. Further, Matthew 24:45-46 reinforces this idea, highlighting the need for faithful and sensible servants who will be rewarded for their service. Here, the master is Jesus, and the faithful servants are those who follow Him and are entrusted to carry out His mission.

God's Authority and the Church

God, Himself, has given authority to His representatives, beginning with Adam and Eve, and extending to kings and leaders who are chosen by Him. However, human nature often leads individuals to worship false idols and follow the devil. This results in the devolution of authority to the devil, which continues in the modern world through false churches and false teachers.

In contrast, God gave all power and authority to Himself as the Messiah. This authority is then transferred to those who truly believe and follow Him. Prophets like Win Worry, Derek Prince, John Eckhardt, and others highlight this through their teachings, such as those from the Bible Camp video series.

Jesus' Mission and the Church

While Jesus does not give His authority in the same way as an authoritarian ruler, He still sends His followers on the same path He walked, with the promise of support as their Master. However, the ultimate authority over the church is given to those true believers who walk in righteousness. These believers are equipped to cast out demons and bring people back to Jesus, representing His authority in the world.

As Jesus will return to rule as the King of kings, He will reestablish His rightful authority over the earth. Until then, the devil remains the ruler of this world, except for those who have renounced false gods and have submitted to the true authority of God.

The Significance of the Authority of the Church

The authority of the church is not to be confused with the typical political or religious authority. Instead, it is a spiritual authority given to those who believe and follow Jesus. The Letters to the 7 Churches (Rev. 2-3) in the Book of Revelation serve as a symbol for the end times but also emphasize that the true church is separate from false churches.

The true believers, who are a spirit of a true Jesus and not a false one, have the authority to resist the devil and establish Jesus' kingdom. This authority is evident in their ability to perform miracles and transform lives, marking them as the true representatives of Jesus on earth.

In conclusion, while Jesus Himself does not give His authority to anyone in the same sense as a conventional ruler, He empowers His true believers through the authority He has been given by God. This authority is the driving force behind the church's mission and its ability to fulfill God's plan in this world.