AUTHORITY'S SOURCE

Jesus did not need to defend His authority, especially to religious elites who could not discern on their own that Jesus' authority was from heaven. From Mark 11:27-33

"And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, and began saying to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?" And Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. "Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me." They began reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' "But shall we say, 'From men'?"—they were afraid of the people, for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet. In answer to Jesus, they said, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things." (Mark 11:27-33)

Authority's Source: God's Anointing

My dear readers, how do you know the source of a man's or a pastor's authority? Is it a stretch to say that people look at schools, degrees, and outward appearance, such as oratory and homiletics (The study of speaking to peak interest)? Recently, "A GREAT AWAKENING" made its appearance in movie theaters, which focused primarily upon George Whitefield. If you've studied his life and ministry, you know he was endowed with extraordinary oratorical abilities and well-taught. Still, these qualities were not the primary reason two continents were moved closer to God. It was the anointing he received from God.

The Apostle John, when writing his first letter, had the same concerns as the other New Testament writers: DECEPTIONS. "These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you."

What Christian is seriously concerned about being deceived? We all naturally follow the crowd, and the crowd goes to church. When a person in earnest comes to Christ, they are no less vulnerable to deception than Adam and Eve. Simply trusting in the man who went to school, everyone else seems to like, does in no way ensure freedom from deception. A multiplicity of divisions within the "Christian" church guarantees that deception is off the charts.

"As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him." (1 John 2:25-27) Satan, by creating the environment of a classroom where one person leads, and all others follow, has been able to put to sleep the priesthood of all believers. Listening to an all-knowing leader silences the inner voice of God who teaches all through the anointing (an unction of God's preferred will and perspective) of the Holy Spirit. John teaches us that all born-again believers are endowed with the unction that teaches them the truth in all matters of life. The endowment of the Holy Spirit is something that remains unless Satanic deception is allowed to replace the truth.

Authority's Source: Heavenly Divine or Earthly Human

The world's system since God's curse upon Babel, when men refused God's will to fill the earth as originally intended, but rebelled against God to build a tower to heaven. God's curse divided the people into languages and nations, kingdoms, kings, and common folk who live for the pleasure of kings who become self-serving, selfish, and destructive by going to war for even greater gain.

In the spiritual realm, which alone can lead the way to truth through unction, there is clearly a significant difference between that which begins in men rather than God. Therefore, when Jesus was questioned about the source of His authority, He turned the tables on the chief priests, scribes, and elders and asked, "Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?" The answer proved the waywardness of priests, scribes, and elders who did not believe in John but who were more than willing to deny Jesus Christ.

Authority's Source: Divine Unction or Satanically Corrupt

Those who repent of their sins in earnest and also place their faith in the risen Christ who died and suffered to justify them before the Father and His Son must walk in the Holy Spirit's unction and avoid any institution that is built to replace the intimacy between Jesus and His people. As I mentioned at the beginning, all of God's people, to one degree or another, should walk in the steps of George Whitefield. He immersed himself in the love of God and the unction of the Holy Spirit. We must rely upon the unction we receive from Jesus through the Spirit and reach out to a world that is dying and lost. Equally, we must avoid deceivers who are sent into our lives to divert us from our calling and ministry.