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Jun 02

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THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST (3)

As we continue to look at the nature of “The Kingdom of Christ,” we will be studying the second point: “the authority of the king.” It would be unthinkable to conclude that the king, who has a kingdom; 1) would be without authority and 2) that the king would be without a written law! Otherwise, how would those who are members of the kingdom know what they: 1) had to do, 2) what they were not to do, and 3) what they were free to do. These are the first three areas of authority which would be revealed to those under the king.
First, we shall seek out who gave the authority to the king. The king may receive his authority in more than one way. It might be inherited from his father, who was king before him; he might be elected to serve as king; and he might receive his authority from his father, as the father bestows on him. As we look at Jesus, the Christ, we will learn that he was given his authority by his Father. Matthew reveals this truth in the words Jesus spoke to the eleven after his resurrection: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). The word “power” is the Greek “exousia” and it means: “the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed);” though Thayer gives over uses, this one is the best that describes the authority which Jesus received. Therefore, all those in the kingdom, are under this type of authority. However, the question remains, who gave Jesus, the Christ, this authority? Paul will answer our question: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (1 Cor. 15:24). First, from this verse let us notice that two words are used: “authority” and “power.” The word “authority” is the same as used by Jesus in Matthew 28:18; while the second word, “power” comes from a different Greek word. This Greek word is: “dunamis” and means: “1) strength power, ability 1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth.” Now there is a third word that should be looked at; this is the word “rule,” which is the Greek word, “arche” and means, “1) beginning, origin.” This is a little confusing to the reader, therefore, it needs attention. There was a beginning to the “rule” of Christ; thus, there was an “origin” to the rule of Christ. Let us move down to Thayer’s third point: “3) that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause.” The “active cause” in the “rule” of Christ is God, the Father, who gave it to Christ. Remember Jesus’ words: “All power is given to me.” He came to this earth to be King, and after his death and resurrection, and at his ascension he “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” Heb. 1:3). Thus, the beginning of his “authority” and “power.” However, “Then cometh the end,” at which time Jesus shall return “all authority” to God, the Father.”
Now, going back to the thought, who gave the “authority” to Jesus? It is he who was never under the “authority” of Christ, even God, the Father! Paul put it this way: “For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him” (1Cor. 15:27). You see, there is one who is not subject to the “all authority” of Jesus and it is he who gave Jesus “all authority,” “God, the Father.”
In conclusion, we have learned that God, the Father, gave to Jesus “all authority” at a certain point in time or when a certain event took place in heaven; thus, it had a “beginning” and that point was when Jesus “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high!” It is through this “all authority” that Jesus governs his kingdom! The rules of his kingdom are called by different terms and phrases; such as the gospel of Christ, as it relates to entering the kingdom, the New Testament as it to identifies that the Old Testament has ended and there is now a New Testament which sets the limits by which all citizens must live; and finally, “the teaching of Christ” which reveals what the citizens must do, what they may do, and what they must not do.

–Frank R. Williams

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