What is Authority?

“Let every soul be submitting to higher [or, governing] authorities, for [there] is no authority except from God, but the existing authorities have been appointed by God.” Romans 13:1(ALT)

From our opening scripture, it is obvious to us that the authorities that be are appointed by God. In other words, God is the source of authority.

Therefore, what is authority? Authority is delegated influence or power. Authority is the right to command and enforce obedience. From our definition of authority as delegated influence or power, it becomes obvious to us that authority comes from one person to another.

An example of delegated influence is found in Matthew 28:18 where Jesus said, “… All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” It is important you know that the word power in that verse is from the Greek word 'exousia,' it means authority, jurisdiction, rights, privilege, magistrate, etc.

Therefore, from the understanding of the word power above, it means that Jesus is saying, all rights, all authority, all jurisdiction, is given unto me in heaven and on earth. Notice that Jesus said that it was given unto Him. If the authority was given unto Jesus, and from our opening scripture, we learn that all authorities have been appointed by God, it means that the rights, authority and jurisdiction that Jesus has in heaven and on earth was given to Him by God because God is the source of all authority.

CONFESSION
I declare Jesus as the Lord of my life because all power, authority, jurisdiction, rights, privilege, magistrate in heaven and on earth have been given unto Him. I submit myself under His authority and lordship to do His will always. Amen.

For further study read: 
1 Corinthians 16:16, Ephesians 5:22, Hebrews 13:17,
1 Peter 5:5.

Doing the Word
“So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.”
James 4:7(GW)