✝️ The Believer’s Authority and Responsibility in the Church -

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✝️ The Believer’s Authority and Responsibility in the Church
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas

Every born-again Christian is not only redeemed by Christ but also commissioned with spiritual and ecclesiastical authority and sacred responsibilities within the Body of Christ—the Church.

Scripture reveals that believers are not passive spectators but active participants in God’s kingdom. Let us explore this divine calling with the unchanging truth found in the King James Bible.

🛡️ 1. Authority Given Through Christ
Luke 10:19 (KJV):
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

The word “Power” in the original Greek literally means authority:
Exousia: Authority, power, right, jurisdiction authority
Greek: ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun – Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong’s Greek 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

When Jesus was ministering on earth during His earthly ministry he came with such great “power and authority” that it left everyone wondering who he really was, even the religious rulers began to ask Jesus by what “authority” was he doing the great things?

Mark 11:27-33
27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. 31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The religious people that should have known who Jesus was were the ones who did not believe Jesus, so the Lord kept them wondering and trying to figure out by what “AUTHORITY” he was preforming great signs and wonders of healing and deliverance’s. Jesus knew his authority and who it was that gave him the authority to preform signs and wonders – His Father God!

Jesus grants every believer the same authority over the enemy’s works. This is not for boastfulness, but for boldness in ministry—casting out devils, healing the sick, and proclaiming the gospel with the power of the Holy Spirit working with them and through them.

In this next verse of scripture we can clearly see that Jesus is commissioning the ones who believe to go and preach the gospel and certain signs (miracles) would follow the ones who actually believe the gospel of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Mark 16:17-18 (KJV):
“And “these signs” shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

The authority is tied to the name of Jesus and activated by faith believing the words of Jesus. It is a sign of authentic belief and obedience to Christ’s mission, and it was Jesus who gave everyone who believes the delegated authority — (POWER) to preform such signs which by the way are a manifest token of a true follower of Jesus, in other words if a person who claims to follow Jesus does not believe what we just read in Mark 16:17-18, the scripture is teaching they are really not following Jesus because Jesus said that the signs work follow THEM THAT BELIEVE.

Sad truth s that many including church leaders today either don’t believe the words of Jesus in Mark 16:17-18, or these signs would be following their ministry. Many today behind pulpits are ignoring the teachings of Jesus and preaching what they call “Christian psychology” and many are deceived by believing them.

The truth is God wants to minister to people by the power of His Holy Spirit to bring salvation, healing, and deliverance to peoples lives just as Jesus said in Mark 16 as we’ve just read. Many are being deceived and receiving a false message when they could be hearing the truth found in the word of God and get free from sickness, disease caused by the devil who is a master deceiver.

Jesus never sent the disciples out to preach physiology or anything else, Jesus sent them out to preach the gospel with power which includes casting out devils.

As the disciples obeyed and went out to preach “The Gospel” that Jesus said to preach, we find the Lord backed up what they were doing and confirmed his word with those signs he said would follow a believer.

Mark 16
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

⚙️ 2. Responsibility to Build the Church
Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV):
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

Believers are equipped through leadership gifts not to spectate but to engage in ministry and begin doing what the Lord taught. Each has a role to play in strengthening the Body of Christ, contributing to unity and maturity.

1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (KJV):
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

Every believer has a unique function. Whether seen or unseen, each is essential and accountable for contributing to the harmony and mission of the church when the body of Christ gathers.

Look at what Jesus said about his “church”…

Matthew 16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

God has a church, and God wants every believer engaged and focused on what He wants to do in all of our lives, our community, the work place, and the church.

Many today who know the Lord are saying “I don’t need to go to church.” But what do not realize is that Jesus is building a church and the church is comprised of believers or why would the bible teach that “God set some in the church to preach, teach, etc?”

1 Corinthians 12
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

🤝 3. Every Believers Responsibility to Love and Serve
Galatians 5:13 (KJV):
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

Liberty in Christ is not a license for laziness or division. It is a calling to sacrificial love, to serve others willingly and joyfully.

John 13:14-15 (KJV):
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

Jesus modeled servant leadership. Believers are called to humble acts of kindness and reconciliation, proving their faith by their works.

📣 4. Responsibility to Preach the Gospel
Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV):
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”

This Great Commission is not reserved for apostles alone but for all disciples of Christ. It is a charge to make Him known across every culture and generation.

2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV):
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” – (doctrine means teaching)

Believers must be ready at all times, not relying on feelings but faith, proclaiming the truth with clarity and compassion—even when it is unpopular.

🤲 5. Responsibility to Restore and Encourage Others
Galatians 6:1 (KJV):
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Authority includes the duty of restoration, not condemnation. The spiritually mature must help the weak, correcting in love, extorting, rebuking only when necessary, and guarding their own heart in the process.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV):
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Why does the bible tell believers to gather if it were not important to God?

Hebrews 10
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together , as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching

The Church is strengthened through consistent fellowship and mutual encouragement. Each believer must take part in stirring one another toward righteousness and endurance as the gospel is preached and taught, the result should always be to make disciples of Christ Jesus the Lord!

⚖️ 6. Authority to Judge Righteously Within the Church
1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (KJV):
“Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? … Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”

Believers must practice spiritual discernment and resolve issues within the Church with wisdom and integrity. This spiritual judgment is to be done in righteousness and humility but never denying the truths Jesus taught.

Matthew 18:15-17 (KJV):
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone… but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

This shows the Church has the authority—and responsibility—to confront sin, not with wrath but with restoration in mind if the person is willing and teachable. If they are not willing and teachable and if they want to continue in falsehood and rebellion towards the word of God, we are to depart from them according to the scriptures.

2 Timothy 3
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The Ecclesiastical Authority of a Believer: A New Testament Perspective
The term ecclesiastical authority refers to the spiritual and administrative power granted by God within the Church. Many believe that only ordained leaders hold this authority, but the New Testament paints a broader picture—one where every believer, especially Spirit-filled ones, carries a divine mandate to operate in authority.

1. Jesus Delegates Authority to Believers (Gospels)
From the onset of His ministry, Jesus empowered His followers with real, spiritual authority. In the Gospels, we find multiple instances of Jesus transferring His authority to ordinary men.

Matthew 10:1 (KJV)
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against
unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of
disease.”

This verse demonstrates Christ’s intention to extend His heavenly authority to earthly vessels. Not only apostles but later, even the seventy were commissioned.

Luke 10:19 (KJV)
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Here, Jesus expands authority to seventy other disciples—not just the Twelve—showing that spiritual authority was not limited to a narrow elite.

2. Apostolic Exercise of Authority (Acts and Epistles)
Once Christ ascended, the apostles moved boldly under this divine authority. They didn’t merely preach; they governed, corrected, healed, and established order in the early church.

Acts 5:3–4 – Peter and Ananias
“But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost…?
Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”

This moment reveals Peter’s spiritual discernment and his authoritative role in maintaining church purity. Ecclesiastical authority enabled him to confront sin decisively.

Acts 6:2–4 – Delegating Roles
“Then the twelve called the multitude… and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.”

The apostles exercised administrative authority by appointing deacons, showing the ability to structure and govern the church body.

2 Corinthians 10:8 (KJV)
“For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction…”

Paul here asserts that ecclesiastical authority is for edification, not domination—an important distinction for today’s church leaders and believers alike.

3. Authority Passed to the Church
While apostles played a key role in establishing doctrine and order, the broader body of Christ was not excluded from spiritual responsibility.

Matthew 28:18–20 (The Great Commission to go out into all the world)
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations…”

Jesus declared all power was His—then said go ye. This means every believer is part of the divine authority structure, called to disciple and baptize under Christ’s name.

1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation…”
Peter emphasizes the priesthood of all believers—a concept that shatters the divide between “clergy” and “laity” when it comes to spiritual authority.

4. Practical Implications Today
Today’s believer is not meant to be passive. Through prayer, teaching, intercession, and spiritual discernment, every Christian is called to operate in:
• Spiritual discernment and correction (Galatians 6:1)
• Teaching and admonishing one another (Colossians 3:16)
• Healing and deliverance ministry (Mark 16:17–18)
• Church structure and service (Romans 12:6–8)

👑 Conclusion: Authority and Responsibility Go Hand in Hand
Romans 12:4-5 (KJV):
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

It is time for the body of Christ to awaken to the authority God has given to the church, Let us walk in the authority Christ has given us—boldly, but also humbly. Let us fulfill our responsibilities with joy, diligence, and love. The Church is not built by pastors alone, but by every Spirit-filled believer doing their part as they walk in the authority the Lord has given His body — The Church. May the Lord empower you to take your place in His Body and may the Lord Jesus Christ empower you with his divine purpose and power to do the will of God in you homes, schools, place of employment, and in the church so others may come to the Lord!

Ecclesiastical authority is not confined to titles or pulpits. It is the divine right and responsibility of every believer, given through Christ, modeled by the apostles, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. As members of a royal priesthood, let us walk in that authority—not for control, but for the edification of the body and the glory of God.

Here is your home work verses to memorize and mediate on:
John 1:12 and Acts 1:8

1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)
“Let all things be done decently and in order.”

I hope you have enjoyed this study and I pray the Lord has enlightened your understanding to his word about the spiritual authority, ecclesiastical authority, and how authority that God has given every believer in Christ Jesus and responsibility to execute God-given authority are like a glove in a hand.

Blessings,

Pastor Joel

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