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Delegated Authority - Christ to Apostles

Dwayne Gandy
05/18/25 - Praise and Preaching Service

Article: Delegated Authority from God

Palm Springs Drive Church of Christ | May 18, 2025 | Sunday AM Sermon

Authority matters. Whether it's a police badge, a parental role, or a presidential oath, we understand in everyday life that authority must come from the right source. The same is true in our spiritual lives. This sermon explores how all legitimate authority—especially in matters of faith—must be delegated from God and clearly traceable back to Him.

🔹 Key Points:

1. Delegated Authority is Powerful—But Must Come from the Right Source
The sermon opened with relatable illustrations of authority—police officers, fire inspectors, and government officials. These roles come with limited and defined authority, often confirmed by a ceremony and symbolized by a badge. Likewise, in Scripture, those who had divine authority (like Moses, Joseph, or Joshua) were publicly confirmed and visibly marked as God's chosen representatives.

2. God Delegated All Authority to Jesus
Multiple Scriptures affirm that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He is the Son of God, declared so by the Father both at His baptism (Matthew 3:17) and at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). His authority was backed by miracles and teachings directly from God. To reject Jesus is to reject God Himself.

3. The Holy Spirit Operated Under Jesus' Authority
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all truth—not to start a new message but to confirm and teach what Jesus had already revealed. The Spirit did not speak on His own authority (John 16:12–15), but worked within the framework established by the Father and the Son.

4. The Apostles Received Limited Delegated Authority
Jesus authorized His apostles to preach, baptize, and teach what He had commanded them. The apostles had real authority, but it was bounded by the message Jesus gave them. They could not change the gospel—they could only teach what was already "bound in heaven" (Matthew 16:19, Galatians 1:6–9). Their authority was confirmed through miracles and public signs (Acts 2; 2 Corinthians 10:8).

🔹 Practical Application:

• Authority must be verified. Just as no one should follow a person claiming to be a police officer without credentials, no Christian should follow a teacher who cannot trace their message back to God’s revealed Word.

• Parents, teach your children about authority—not just by power, but by demonstrating that your authority comes from God and is meant for their good.

• The written Word (Scripture) is the preserved, authoritative message. If it’s not in God’s book, we should not believe or practice it.

🔹 Conclusion:

God doesn’t hide who has His authority. Jesus was confirmed through ceremony, signs, and God’s own voice. The apostles were confirmed by the Holy Spirit and miracles. Today, we recognize legitimate spiritual authority through the written Word. If someone claims to speak for God, they must be able to prove it from Scripture.

If you have not been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of your sins, we invite you to do that—just as the apostles did under the authority of Jesus. And if you're a Christian who has drifted, come back under God's authority. He will receive you.