Authority: Know Who You Are

By Ank Kleinmeulman

If God is almighty, why is the world in such a mess? Sometimes we blame the Lord and say that He is not doing anything, but could it be our problem because we don’t know the authority we have? Discover the true battleground and learn how to recognize the real enemy. Learn how the devil works and how you can resist him and much more!

This book is about the authority of the believer. In these pages, I explain from the Word what our authority is, how we got it and how to use it; and tell you things that I have studied and come to understand for myself. Do we have authority that we do not know about? If so, then when, how and towards what should it be exercised?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ank Kleinmeulman
• Release date: Feb 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311576392

Ank Kleinmeulman

Ank Kleinmeulman lives with her husband, Wil, in Houten, the Netherlands. They have five children and eight grandchildren, all of them loving and serving the Lord. Ank loves to teach people the Word of God. She attended a Domata Bible School and started a Saturday Bible School in her hometown and has done so for many years. She was also involved with Women Aglow for six years.Ank’s favorite song is “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” The lyrics in that song, “No turning back, no turning back” describe her life. She was saved at an early age and knew from then on she wanted only to serve her Lord. Together she and Wil have served in various capacities in the ministry. In 2004 the Lord connected them to John Fenn and Church Without Walls International (CWOWI). They started a house church which began in their own home, and from there it grew into a network throughout the Netherlands and Europe.Each year they host an international conference for CWOWI leaders and those interested in relationship-based faith. Together they travel throughout Europe, building relationships and helping people and house churches through Godly relationships and the discipleship process.Ank likes decorating her home and has added many unique and classy touches to the décor of their home while Wil is always willing to paint the walls a different color! Her real passion and heart is to teach and see people changed by the power of God’s Word. That, she says, is what her life is all about!

Book preview

Authority

Know Who You Are

Copyright 2015 Ank Kleinmeulman

Published by Docs2eBooks at Smashwords

Cover Design 2015 Melanie Smith

Unless stated otherwise, Scriptures were taken from The Amplified Bible, and The New King James Bible.

The author chose not to acknowledge satan by capitalizing his name; grammatical rules have been violated due to this decision, but she felt it was necessary.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

About the Author

Other Books by Ank Kleinmeulman

Connect with Ank Kleinmeulman

Introduction

This book is about the authority of the believer. In these pages, I explain from the Word what our authority is, how we got it and how to use it; and tell you things that I have studied and come to understand for myself. Do we have authority that we do not know about? If so, then when, how and towards what should it be exercised?

If God is almighty, why is the world in such a mess? Sometimes we blame the Lord and say that He is not doing anything, but could it be our problem because we don’t know the authority we have?

Discover the true battleground and learn how to recognize the real enemy. Learn how the devil works and how you can resist him and much more!

Back to ToC

Chapter One

First, let’s define authority. The dictionary defines authority as legal or rightful power; the right to command or to act. It is power exercised by a person in virtue of his office or trust; and it also means dominion. W. E. Vine in Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says it comes from the word exousia which denotes authority from the meaning of leave or permission or liberty of doing as one pleases; or the ability or strength with which your body is endued; the right to exercise power.

Authority and power are two different things and very often they go together, but you do need some power to enhance that authority. The King James Version translated many words consistently but that was not so for the Greek words for power and authority. For example, let’s go to Luke 10:19. You probably know this verse. Jesus says: "behold I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall by any means hurt you." This is the correct translation from the New King James Version.

However, the King James Version says "behold I give you the power to trample serpents and scorpions." God has given us authority to tread upon all the power of the enemy. You could say that the value of our authority rests on the power that is behind authority. God Himself gave us authority. Jesus gave us that authority. So He is the power behind our authority.

You could also say that authority is delegated power. For example: we know that in the natural world when traffic lights are not functioning, the policeman will raise his hand and the cars and big trucks will stop. He doesn’t have the physical power to stop those cars; but he does have the authority to stop them. Even if he is a small, tiny policeman or policewoman, the cars stop because they recognize the authority he has. Whether it is his uniform or his police cap, they recognize that he is a policeman and know that he has the authority and delegated power. In the Netherlands we know that the Queen stands behind him or her. It is her authority in which he functions.

Parental Authority

Jesus gave us authority. The authority that we have is not something we just invented or wanted to use. He gave us authority. There are different kinds of authority. For instance, in the family, parents have authority over their children. Children have to obey their parents, but sometimes we parents lay down our authority and let things in and our children become subservient to stuff. And it is our fault because we did not use the authority we have. Let’s go to Ephesians 6.

Ephesians 6:1 —children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother this is the first commandment with a promise that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.

Amazing, you know? You will find the same commandment in Exodus 20:12 —Honor your father and mother that our days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God has given you.

Children have to learn to obey their parents because how else can they learn to obey God when they grow up? When they are allowed to do whatever they want and feel like they are in control, it will be very hard for them later on to follow and obey the Lord.

Governmental Authority

There is also authority in the government. Go to Romans 13:1:

Let every soul be subject to governing authorities for there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists the ordinance of God; and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Paul says there is no authority except from God. All authority came from God; God gave authority. When you drive over the speed limit on a highway you will get a ticket. You have to obey that authority and pay that ticket. You could say, I belong to a different kingdom, the kingdom of God, I am not subject to this world or those authorities. But they will bring you to court and you will have to pay that ticket. Even Jesus recognized that.

John 19:10–11 —Then Pilate said to him, why do you not speak? Do you not know that I have power to crucify you and power to release you? Jesus answered, you would have no power at all against me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore, the ones who delivered me to you hath the greater sin!

We know from the Gospels that Jesus obeyed the laws of His nation. He paid the taxes, for instance. He submitted Himself to the authorities. In Luke 20:22, He said render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.

1 Peter 2:13–16 —therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake whether to the king as supreme or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and yet not using your liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

An Employer’s Authority

And then you will have employers or bosses who have authority over you. That authority applies only when you work for them and not at your home.

1 Timothy 6:1 — Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather serve them, because those who are benefit are believers and beloved, teach and exhort those things.

To the bondservants he said you have to count your master as worthy of all honor, but also when you have believing masters, do not despise them or treat them with less respect because they are brethren. Do not think: He is a brother so he is just the same as I am, why should I listen to him since we are equal? But Paul said to serve them because they are brethren and because they are believers and beloved. Sometimes it is difficult for people to honor authorities above them. Even when they are Christians you should do your best and work as unto the Lord.

Spiritual Authority

Isaiah 9:6 talks about spiritual authority: the government will be upon His (Jesus’) shoulders and from there it flows to the body. Ephesians 1:22–23 says, and He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him which fills all in all. God has authority over the church, over every person. He is our boss. God the Father gave Jesus the authority; He is the head over all things.

Hebrews 13:7 says —remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you: whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. And then it says in Hebrews 13:17, obey those who rule over you and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.

When you look up the word obey in the Strong’s Concordance, it is #3982 and it means to be persuaded; or to have trust or confidence in; or give place to those. So it is not that you just listen and obey, but you