A Closer Look at Authority: Examining Every Greek Word Authority is Translated From

By Ralph Good

A Closer Look at Authority investigates and identifies
God’s true purpose, responsibly and qualifying
characteristics for authority in the Church. As well
as Satan’s abuse and misuse of God’s authority by
false preachers that separate people from God,
enslaving people to follow false teachings, sel

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Mar 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781640882607

Ralph Good

Ralph Good has studied the subject of rights and the Bible for many years, and he turned to the truth of Gods Word for answers. Ralph was saved when he was in his twenties, and in his sixty years he has seen false teachings about rights destroy many lives. Today he lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and he is involved in his community and his church; Ralph has received awards from the governor, the state congress, and the mayor for organizing crime watches in at-risk neighborhoods, and he has also led his church worship team, co-organized a team center, and fulfilled many other church duties.

Book preview

1.png

A Closer Look at Authority

examining every greek word Authority is translated from

Ralph Good

Trilogy Christian Publishers

Tustin, CA

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2019 by Ralph Good

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, contact Trilogy Christian Publishing, Rights Department2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780.

First Trilogy Christian Publishing hardcover edition December 2018

Cover design by Jeff Summers from Toward Something Creative Design Studio ([e-mail])

Trilogy Christian Publishing/ TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 978-1-64088-259-1

eISBN: 978-1-64088-260-7 (eBook)

Foreword

Bewildered by the abuse and misuse of authority in the local church and staggering from the pain, frustration, and incapacitating hopelessness it caused in my life and others’, I spent years studying Scripture to find answers, believing, if God’s word is true, the answers can be found in it.

I was astonished to find that the same Greek word that is used to define the power and authority of God, Jesus Christ, apostles, and believers is also used to define the power and authority of Satan, the devil, the Beast, and the kingdom of darkness.

I simply share from my studies what I have learned about authority, questions I had and explored, and the answers I found that brought healing in my life, freeing me from the condemnation occurring from the abuse and misuse of authority.

Hopefully, this book will help you discover God’s true purpose for authority, enabling you to fully understand how to exercise the Rights, the Power, and the Authority Jesus Christ restored to man on the cross Satan had stolen from Adam, and, educate you with the ability to discern Satan’s perverted use of God’s authority for his own glory that keeps humankind in bondage to false beliefs and traditions of men.

Introduction

In this study on authority, we will look at every Greek word authority is translated from, every English word those words are translated to, and every verse where the word authority appears in the Bible, grouped in common categories.

I compared three translations of the Bible: King James, New King James, and New Living Translation. The argument of what translation to use is mute. What is important is understanding the Word of God, so we can be transformed into the full likeness of Christ, in whom we have been made complete. So we can fully realize how to exercise our rights to the power and authority of the New Covenant believer Jesus Christ established with His own blood. He has freely given this power and authority to all who call on Him without distinction because of His great love for us.

Reviewing and identifying authority brings clarification, dispels myths, exposes lies, and brings confidence in knowing the truth of God’s intended purpose for authority; also, it reveals Satan’s misuse of God’s authority for his own ambitions, which brought bondage, separation, and death to the human race.

Jesus Christ came to give us life, release the captives, heal the brokenhearted, reconcile us to God and proclaim the favor of the Lord. God’s true anointed authorities will always carry out that mission and do even greater things.

Jesus Christ has warned us, See I have told you beforehand, many will come in my Name claiming to be anointed and deceive many, don’t let yourselves to be deceived.

Contents

Foreword v

Introduction vii

Chapter 1. Authority in the New Testament 1

Chapter 2. Questions About Submitting to Authority? 13

Chapter 3. Watch Out, Be Aware! 26

Chapter 4. Who are the Governing Authorities? 37

Chapter 5. Qualifications for Leadership 53

Chapter 6. The First Commandment 62

Chapter 7. Witchcraft in the Church 69

Chapter 8. Submit to What? 82

Chapter 9. Authority for the Common Good 97

Chapter 10. God’s Justice 111

Appendix

Chapter 1. Authority of This World, as defined by Jesus Christ 127

Chapter 2. Authority, God’s Kingdom of Light, Exousia Identifies 140

The Power and Authority of God

The Power and Authority of Christ/Son of Man

The Power and Authority of Disciples

The Power, Authority and Rights of Servants/Believers

The Power, Authority and Rights of Apostles

The Power and Authority of Angles

The Power of Two Witnesses

Chapter 3. Authority, Civil Authorities, Exousia

Identifies 170

The Power and Authority of Governments, Governor

The Power and Jurisdiction of Herod and Pilate

The Authority of the Centurioin

The Questions Chief Priests and Elders Had About Jesus’ Authority

The Authority Saul Had from the Chief Priests to Kill All Who Call on the Name

Chapter 4. Authority, the Dark Side, Exousia

Identifies 183

The Power and Authority of the Devil, Satan, Darkness and the Kindom of Darkness

The Power and Authority of the Beast and the Dragon

The Power and Authority of the Pale Horse, Locusts, Scorpions and Serpants

Chapter 5. Authority, Remaining Six Words Sometimes Translated to Authority 194

Chapter 6. Authority, Additional Five Words in the New King James 208

Chapter 7. Witchcraft, Divination and Sorcery 221

Chapter 8. The Servants of God 229

• 1 •

Authority in the New Testament

King James Bible

Authority (ies) appears 36 times in 33 verses. It’s translated from seven Greek words.

New King James Bible

Authority (ies) appears 73 times in 67 verses. It’s translated from twelve Greek words.

New Living Translation

Authority (ies) appears 126 times in 113 verses.

The Holy Bible uses the same Greek word to define the power and authority of God, Jesus Christ, apostles, New Covenant believers, Satan, the devil, the Beast, and the kingdom of darkness. This revelation raises some serious questions, ones with possible eternal sequences that need to be resolved.

• Can we confidently say with full conviction that we have the ability to discern, define, and explain the difference between the authority scripture attributes to God’s kingdom, and Satan’s kingdom, today, at this moment as the same Greek word is used to define both kingdoms?

• Can we truly explain what spiritual authority is?

• What God’s purpose for spiritual authority is?

• What God’s ordained responsibilities for spiritual authorities are?

• How to response when these responsibilities are neglected?

• What God’s ordained boundaries for spiritual authorities are?

• How to response when these boundaries are violated?

If we can’t confidently define and explain the true meaning, purpose, responsibilities and boundaries of spiritual authority, how can confidently say, we, and those who represent themselves as authorities in our lives are expressing God’s authority, or authority Scripture attributes to Satan, the devil, the Beast, and the kingdom of darkness in view of this biblical fact: the same exact Greek word is used to define all of them? But sometimes, it’s translated differently.

The Greek word most often translated to authority is exousia (Strong’s number G1849) and appears 103 times in the New Testament . In the King James Version of the Bible, exousia is translated to authority (ies) 29 times. It’s translated to power(s) 69 times. It’s also translated to five additional words we use in English. In the New King James Version of the Bible, exousia is translated to authority (ies) 53 times. It’s translated to power(s) 38 times. It’s also translated to five additional words we use in English.

I present Scripture verses that use the Greek word exousia translated to power and authority used to define both God’s kingdom and Satan’s, in three translations of the Bible for easy comparison as to how it is translated:

Exousia, the power and authority Scripture attributes to God’s kingdom.

Matt. 7:29

(KJV) For he taught them as one having authority (exousia) and not as the scribes.

(NKJV) for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

(NLT) for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

Mark 1:27

(KJV) And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? for with authority (exousia) commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

(NKJV) Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.

(NLT) Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. What sort of new teaching is this? they asked excitedly. It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!

Matthew 10:1

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

(NKJV) And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

(NLT) Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.

John 1:12

(KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power (exousia) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

(NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

(NLT) But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Exousia, the power and authority Scripture attributes to Satan’s kingdom.

Acts 26:18

(KJV) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power (exousia) of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

(NKJV) to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

(NLT) to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

Eph. 2:2

(KJV) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power (exousia) of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

(NKJV) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

(NLT) You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Eph. 6:12

(KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers (exousia), against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

(NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

(NLT) For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Colossians 1:13

(KJV) Who hath delivered us from the power (exousia) of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

(NKJV) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

(NLT) For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

Colossians 2:15

(KJV) And having spoiled principalities and powers (exousia),