Pastor Joey and Pastor Rob discuss authority and submission from a biblical perspective found in Ephesians chapter 5.
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY & SUBMISSION
1. There are no distinctions in matters of worth, value and spiritual privilege, all are equal.
Galatians 3:28 (The Message) In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. There are, however, distinctions in matters of function and roles.
A. Authority is a measure of spiritual dominion.
• The purpose of authority is to rule over and to guard over.
Genesis 1:26 (NIV84) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
B. God has given a structure of authority that enables the functions and roles He has assigned.
Romans 13:1 (NIV84) . . . The authorities that exist have been established by God.
C. Spiritual authority is never assumed, it is always delegated from one who already has authority.
• God has all authority. (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:15-20)
Colossians 1:16 (NIV84) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
• God delegated authority to Jesus.
Matthew 28:18–19 (NIV84) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
• Jesus delegated authority to His followers.
Luke 10:19–20 (The Living Bible) And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy, and to walk among serpents and scorpions and to crush them. Nothing shall injure you! However, the important thing is not that demons obey you, but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven.”
o When authority is delegated, there is also accountability to the one who gave it.
o Submission to authority is absolute, but obedience requires alignment with Scripture.
