In our study of Mark we are in Mark 1:21-22; Where we see that Jesus used the synagogues as a platform for the presentation of the Gospel to the people. In his presentation he spoke with authority unlike the scribes so we are now engaged in a study on the doctrine of authority.
Last time we left off when we were looking at some passages where God delegated authority through the mandates in his Word: In the Old Testament: Deut 11:27; 1Sam 15:22; Jer 7:25, Jer 11:4,7; Zech 6:15;
God delegated authority in the military. Neh 4:13-15.
Solomon describes respect and obedience to God as the source of all legitimate authority as the whole duty of man. Eccles 12:13-14; NET
In the New Testament we see that God has authority over the creation, and that the creation obeys God, Matt 8:27; Mark 4:41; Luke 8:25; Rom 8:20-22.
Angels are subject to divine authority, Mark 1:27; 1Pet 3:22;
The pastor-teacher and church officers have authority over the congregation in the local church, 1Cor 16:15-16; 2Cor 10:8; 1Thes 5:12; Heb 13:7, 17; Isa 54:17.
The husband has authority over the wife. Eph 5:22; Col 3:18;
Parents have authority over children, Eph 6:1; Col 3:20.
Management has authority over labor. Eph 6:5; Col 3:22; and under the same principle teachers have authority over students, coaches have authority over the athletes on the team, and band directors have authority over the musicians in the band.
Government has authority over the citizens to protect the sanctity of their freedom, property, and human life. Rom 13:1-7;
We see from this that proper function under legitimate authority is very important. Freedom and authority must coexist. You cannot have freedom without authority. Freedom without authority is anarchy. Authority without freedom is tyranny.
Freedom includes the right of privacy, the right of self-determination, the right to hold your own opinions, and the sacredness of property and life. Establishment freedom is from God and is the heritage of physical birth.
In the devil's world it is inevitable that arrogance will challenge all forms of legitimate authority. This is Satanic (Isa 14:13-14;) and when it occurs chaos and tyranny results.
Satan as the ruler of this world constantly seeks to do everything possible to overthrow the legitimate authority that God has delegated that brings freedom and blessing to individuals and nations. Isa 14:12d;
Authority has been an issue since God created creatures. The fall of the angels and the fall of man was the result of the rejection of authority. The woman rejected the authority of God and Bible doctrine and accepted the authority of Satan.
She also rejected the delegated authority of her husband in the marriage. Adam permitted her to usurp his legitimate authority and accepted her illegitimate authority when he obeyed her but God held him responsible because he was still God's delegated legitimate authority.
In the final analysis every problem in life is created by failure to properly relate to and obey legitimate authority.
This means that those who usurp authority and those who allow others to usurp the legitimate authority God has delegated to them will be held responsible. This is true in all areas of life. God will bring everyone into account for the way they function under authority.
At any given time our attitude toward legitimate authority will be one of response where we choose to accept God's delegated authority or reaction where we choose to reject God's delegated authority.
Legitimate authority is designed to protect human freedom starting with human life. Man must possess human life to exercise his rights and functions under the concept of freedom. Murder is among the seven worst sins because it destroys human life. Prov 6:17b;
God has delegated authority to the four divine institutions. Self-determination is the authority of your own soul with emphasis on your volition but along with the freedom to make decisions comes the responsibility to make good decisions.
Orientation to truth as represented by legitimate authority enables us to make good decisions from a position of strength. Orientation to the lie as represented by illegitimate authority causes us to make bad decisions from a position of weakness. Deut 30:19-20;