Power versus Authority.

This word Power has Greek origin,” dunamis.” However we need to have a context to understand it correctly. This word is not used in the New Testament as the meaning of human strength. It is most frequently used only for the description of miracles and signs, healing supernatural power and love of God.

Power in the Bible has deeper meaning than we can imagine. It means that this person or God has some inner strength that does not depend on outward things.

 When it comes to Bible, “dunamis” distinctly describes the Power of God.

 For example, Christ said in (Matthew 22:29) “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the Power of God.” Then in another place in (Mathew 24:30) “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the people of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with Power and great glory”. To be more precise, God has inborn and essential Power. We can claim that, dunamis is an important part of the Lord. As such, Christians also have dunamis in their re-born souls. However, it’s not their personal merit. God gave them this Power to live devotional, pure and holy lives. In other words, when people give the Lord their lives, He changes their hearts, minds, goals and dreams. According to the Bible people can’t do something good on their own (Romans 3:12). But any Christian feel dunamis of God for good deeds. Due to Christ’s Power we become strong overcomers. In another scripture it says. “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the Power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. “(Luke 1:35). The word of God says that a human can get the Power from Heaven.“His divine Power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3).

However,throughout history, too many leaders have used their Power to subvert justice, engage in corrupt activities and oppress other people.

In terms of Authority, when a man can present himself as a god, or at least as divinity’s chosen servant, and his supporters promote his fantasy, he can wield Authority like no other. A typical example is Emperor Constantine of the fourth century.

The fusion of pagan and Christian elements continued to be a mark of the emperor’s approach.  He took over the leadership of the church and empire because he wanted to unite both Christians and Pagans, he encouraged the Christianization of Pagan festivals. Church and state were united in one man. Religion and politics united to give human leaders tremendous Authority over the people’s religion. A disaster that plunged Christianity into tradition of men.

The Holy Bible, inspired Sacred Scriptures is God’s Only Absolute Authority of Divine Truth to mankind. All teachings of man must rest on the Sole Authority of The Word of God. The Revelation of the Holy writ is of no private interpretation.

Shalom!