MEN AND WOMEN OF AUTHORITY 
By Charles Neiman

In Genesis 1:26-29, we discover that the first gift that God gave mankind was dominion. The dictionary tells us that dominion is “the power and the right to govern and control.” God has given us the ability and the responsibility to exercise authority in the earth. This authority belongs to us as individuals, and to the local church. If we do not use the authority God has given us, then things will continue to go on in our lives and in our cities that should not be happening.

Matthew 16:18-19 teaches us that Jesus has given us the keys of the kingdom of heaven. As you know, keys always represent authority. You have authority. I have authority. We must use it.

In Matthew 8:5-13, Jesus reveals a great truth to us about authority that many of God’s children never see or understand. It is a truth that must be comprehended or we will never see the true impact of God’s dominion work in our lives. After pastoring for more than twenty-five years, I have seen people come to church, hear the Word, and get excited about exercising their God-given dominion; but, because they have never understood these verses, they end up doing, saying, and acting in ways that God cannot honor. Let’s look at these verses:

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; ….”

When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

What did the centurion understand about authority that amazed Jesus? He understood that you cannot be a man or woman of authority unless you are a man or woman under authority. A lot of believers want to be men or women of authority, but they don’t want to be under authority.

The centurion knew his authority came from being under the authority of Caesar. The reason that the men under him obeyed was because he was under the authority of those above him. We must understand this truth, or we will fail to see the full manifestation of God’s power in our lives.

There are three main areas where all of us must be under authority. If we refuse, we will not be men or women of authority.

1)	You must be under the lordship of Jesus. A lot of people confess Jesus as Lord of their lives, but in truth, He is not Lord of their life. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus remarks that there are people who are doing things in His name but He will say to them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. The literal Greek text reads, “You are not what you profess to be because you violate divinely instituted law.” It is possible to act like a Christian and do Christian things, but not be in right relationship with the Master. Are you under His lordship? Will you do what He says? Will you go where He says to go? Will you give what He says to give?
2)	You must be under the authority of the Word. Remember the ten lepers. Jesus told them to go show themselves to a priest, and as they went, they were healed. The centurion acted on the Word of Jesus only. If the Word says to believe, will you? If it says to forgive, will you? To stand? To pray? Will you?
3)	You must be under the authority of a pastor. This is one a lot of Christians don’t want to hear. A lot of churches aren’t under their pastor’s authority. I don’t mean your pastor controls your life, but can he or she speak correction into your life? Can your pastor rebuke you, or challenge you? Will you receive it? If not, why not? Do you think you don’t need a pastor? Then why did Jesus put them into the church? Every believer needs a pastor, including pastors themselves. A good pastor can keep you on track and out of trouble.