Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Authority of the Believer! In this first episode we will be laying a foundation, by examining the origins of the authority that God had given to mankind from the beginning.
 

1. The Origin of Mankind

Mankind was created in the image of God; the first man Adam was created as a physically mature adult. We did not evolve from comic goo. Nor are we an accident of nature, but were originally created as the crowning jewel of God’s re-creation of the earth- Acts 17:26.

2. Human Beings Consists of Three Parts

We are not just a physical body; we are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body- 1 Th. 5:23. With our spirit we contact the spirit realm; conscience is the voice of the human spirit. With our soul (mind, will and emotions) we contact the intellectual realm; reason is the voice of our soul. Finally with our physical body (5 physical senses) we make contact with the material world; feelings is the voice of the body. We are three dimensional beings. 

3. God Gave Mankind Dominion

Yet as soon as He finished restoring the earth to a habitable state, He turned it over to Adam on a lease, to be a steward and caretaker of it- Genesis 1:26-28. God created us for His glory (Isaiah 43:7) to have a relationship with Him- what an amazing honor! As a result, God made us a little lower than Himself (Psalm 8:3-9), “You made mankind a little lower than God (Hebrew word “elohiym”- for God).” The most High God made humanity the “gods” of this earth- Psalms 82:6; John 10:34-35.

4. The Probation of Mankind

In Genesis 2:15, concerning the Garden of Eden, God told Adam to “take care of it or to keep it.” Obviously that implied to guard and protect it from intruders. This is the first reference to man’s adversary- the devil. Why put that tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden in the first place anyway? To have an opportunity to make a choice. 

5. The Fall of Mankind

Just as Satan enticed 1/3 of the angels to rebel, here he is tempting Adam and Eve. The goal, was to usurp Adam’s God given authority by enticing them to commit high treason. If Satan could get Adam and Eve to obey his words and do what he says, they would then become his slave and Satan would gain Adam’s dominion by forfeit- Romans 6:16.

6. The Origin of Satan

There was an Arch-Angel at one time named Lucifer- an Arch-Angel is a high ranking angel. Isaiah 14:12-17 (KJV), “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” Before Adam and Eve were created, which we call the Pre-Adamite age, spanning millions of years- the time before Genesis 1:2. Lucifer had authority given to him upon this earth, a throne over the nations of that time- Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19. 

7. The Kingdom of Darkness

The Lord does not want us ignorant, unaware or afraid of Satan’s devices- 2 Cor. 2:11. Being informed and equipped keeps us from being taken advantage of. Satan prefers anonymity, if people think he does not exist- no one will oppose him. It is vital that we understand that Satan incarnates all that is evil and wicked in this world. 

8. Trials, Tests & Temptations

It is critical for the believer to know the source of Good and Evil. Jesus made it plain in John 10:10; Good God vs Bad devil, simple theology- please don’t mix this up. A person can have 10 miles of trials and not grow an inch unless they stand on God’s Word in the midst of those trials, otherwise they become another victim or statistic. Let’s not get ripped off in life by the lies of the enemy (religious traditions), know your enemy and defeat him with the Word of God in Jesus’ Nam

Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Authority of the Believer! Any authority is only as good as the power that backs it up. In this second episode we will explore the fundamentals of what backs our authority in Jesus Christ. What Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, resurrection paid the price for our glorious redemption from sin and death. Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, victorious and triumphant over the kingdom of darkness.  

1. Blood Covenant

We need to briefly lay a foundation concerning blood covenant. The basis by which God and the ancient civilizations entered into agreement with one another. I am absolutely convinced that the subject of blood covenant is one of the most important and misunderstood subjects in the Bible. When the child of God fully grasps in his/her spirit the ramifications of these powerful truths, all things truly become possible to them who believe as Jesus said in Mark 9:23. 

2. Authority Given to Human Beings on this Earth

Remember back in Genesis, it was to mankind that God had given dominion to rule over His creation. In order for God or the devil to exert influence upon the earth, it must be done through people.  

3. Death, Burial & Resurrection

What Jesus did in His death, burial and resurrection was the fulfillment of this Promise of deliverance, freedom, restoration and reconciliation for mankind in Genesis 3:15. To fully appreciate and operate in the authority that we have in Christ Jesus, we must first have a firm foundation and understand the glorious redemption that was bought and paid for on our behalf by Jesus. The subject of redemption covers what we have been redeemed from and what we have been redeemed to.  

4. Seated Together with Jesus at the Right Hand of the Father

We were raised together with Christ. He was raised up by the glory of the Father, when He had satisfied the claims of Justice for our sins, and had met our great enemy Satan and his army in the dark regions of hell and conquered them. He then was made alive in His spirit as the firstborn from among the dead. 

5. Baptized Into the Name of Jesus

The Greek the word “Baptism” means to “Submerge, immerse; to make overwhelmed, fully wet.” We will cover four different kinds of baptisms, but will go into greater detail on the first baptism that Christians undertake- being baptized into Jesus Christ. 

6. The Court Room of Heaven

I’m confident that this segment will really open our eyes to the intricacies and dynamics concerning the court room in heaven. Scripture not only points to a future judgment for all people, but we must realize that there is a spiritual court in session 24/7 today. What we do and say can and will be used for us or against us in this court of law. 

Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Authority of the Believer! In this third episode we will be diving right into the power and use of the Name of Jesus. Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” The Christian experience begins with calling on the person of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The reality of the power in the Name of Jesus continues to resonate throughout this life and for all eternity.
 

1. Mankind and Miracles

When reason takes the place of the miraculous, Christianity loses its vitality, fascination and fruitfulness. Christianity is not a religion, it is the very life of God in human beings. The religion of humanism and secularism leaves people empty, confused and hungry for God. The answer to the universal cravings of mankind for the supernatural is found only in the Lord. Specifically, found in the new birth, being baptized with the Holy Spirit and the Name of Jesus. We crave the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
 

2. How Jesus obtained a more excellent Name

I need to point out that names in the Bible are really significant because they are titles of authority that point to a particular office and represent great achievements or victories- they serve a function. A person’s name represents a person, names have meanings. They shed light as to their character and destiny. When we learn about the Name of Jesus we will come to understand the person of Jesus.

3. The Name of Jesus- what is behind it!

If one is planning to use the Name of Jesus in prayer, praise and power evangelism, one needs to know the power invested in that Name which God esteems above every other name. The Name of Jesus is just as wonderful as Jesus, all His conquests, power and victories are in the Name of Jesus and the Name of Jesus belongs to us, to use in every area of life today!

4. The Great Commission

This concept, “The Power of Attorney” is foundational in understanding the authority of the Believer. Jesus gave us the power of attorney, the legal right to use His Name. Value of the Name of Jesus is based on how much power is backing the Name that it represents. So how much power and authority does Jesus have? We will explore that question in depth together.

5. The Unqualified Use of the Name of Jesus

Authority is delegated power. God Himself is the power behind the authority that was given unto us through the Name of Jesus. Believers that are thoroughly convinced of the divine power that is behind them and of their own authority that has been delegated to them and exercises it, can face the enemy without fear or hesitancy.

6. The Place of Faith in the Use of the Name

Most Christians believe the Name of Jesus belongs to them, but having faith in the Name is not the same. That is why we are not performing the same miracles they had in the early church, because our faith in the Name is not the same. Does not matter what we feel, our strength comes from the Lord and the power of His might- let's get that revelation into our spirit.

7. The Use of the Name

It would behoove us to see in the Scriptures how the Name of Jesus was used as it pertains to the plan of salvation and its relation to the believer in his/her Christian life. Christianity would have a whole new element about it if we taught the people according to the Word what it meant to believe ON the Name as a sinner and then to believe IN the Name as a believer.