In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus delivered a powerful message to His disciples, one that still resonates with every believer today. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This passage not only serves as the Great Commission, calling believers to share the Gospel and make disciples, but it also reveals a profound truth: Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. In turn, He has entrusted that authority to His followers to continue His work. But what does it really mean to walk in this authority, and how are we, as believers, called to exercise it in our daily lives?
The Kingdom of God: What Does It Mean?
Before we can understand our role in Kingdom authority, we must first comprehend what the Kingdom of God is. Simply put, the Kingdom of God is where His will is done, both in heaven and on earth. It's a realm in which God's power, righteousness, and love reign supreme. Jesus often spoke of the Kingdom of God during His ministry, proclaiming that it had come near and was within reach (Luke 17:21). Through Christ's death and resurrection, this Kingdom was inaugurated, and believers are now invited to participate in establishing it here on earth.
When Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," He was declaring the supremacy of His reign over every realm, both spiritual and physical. His victory over sin, death, and the forces of darkness was complete. The authority He received from the Father is absolute, and as His disciples, we are called to walk in that same authority to further His Kingdom.
Authority Through Jesus: A Responsibility and Privilege
As believers, we are not mere spectators waiting for God to move. Instead, we are active participants in bringing about His will. Kingdom authority means that we are empowered by Christ to be agents of transformation. Wherever we go, we carry the authority of Jesus, and we are called to release His power into the world.
This authority comes with great responsibility. It requires us to walk in faith, obedience, and alignment with God's Word. In essence, when we exercise Kingdom authority, we are partnering with God to fulfill His purposes on earth. Jesus didn't give us authority just to live a comfortable Christian life. He gave it to us so that we could take action—binding what needs to be bound and loosing what needs to be loosed, as outlined in Matthew 18:18-20.
In this passage, Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Notice the order: what is bound on earth will be bound in heaven, and what is loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven. The initiative lies with us! God has entrusted His authority to us, and it is up to us to act.
Moving in Kingdom Power
Too often, believers wait for God to move, expecting Him to intervene in our circumstances without realizing the authority He has already given us. In truth, God is waiting for us to step into the authority we have in Christ. He has empowered us to bring about change, both in our own lives and in the world around us.
Ephesians 3:20 underscores this point: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." This verse reminds us that God works according to the power that is already within us as believers. His ability to do "immeasurably more" is not based solely on His own power, but also on the power He has deposited in us. We are not powerless; we are filled with His Spirit, equipped to see signs, wonders, and miracles as we step out in faith.
In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus said, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name, they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” These are not just promises for the apostles of old—they are promises for every believer who chooses to walk in Kingdom authority.
Binding and Loosing: Understanding Our Spiritual Authority
One of the most misunderstood concepts in Scripture is the practice of "binding and loosing." Yet, it is central to our understanding of Kingdom authority. When Jesus told His disciples that they could bind and loose on earth and that it would be mirrored in heaven, He was giving them—and by extension, us—spiritual authority over the forces of darkness and the power to release heaven's will on earth.
Binding and loosing refer to the believer's ability to exercise authority over spiritual realities. To bind means to restrict, to forbid, or to declare something unlawful. To loose means to permit, to release, or to declare something lawful. Jesus has given us the authority to bind demonic forces, sickness, oppression, and any other work of the enemy. At the same time, we are called to loose God's healing, freedom, peace, and provision over our lives and the lives of others.
This authority is not just for a select few—it is for every believer. But it must be exercised in faith and alignment with God's Word. We cannot bind or loose according to our own desires; we must be led by the Holy Spirit and the truth of Scripture. When we act in obedience to God's will, heaven backs up our authority, and we see the manifestation of God's Kingdom on earth.
The Power of Agreement in Kingdom Authority
Another key aspect of walking in Kingdom authority is the power of agreement. In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus said, “Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
There is incredible power when believers come together in agreement. This is why corporate prayer, unity in the body of Christ, and shared faith are so important. When we agree in prayer, we are aligning our hearts and minds with the will of God, and heaven responds. Jesus Himself promises to be present when we gather in His name, and His presence brings with it the authority to see breakthrough and victory.
Walking in Confidence and Boldness
Many Christians struggle with stepping into their God-given authority because they lack confidence in who they are in Christ. The enemy often uses fear, doubt, and insecurity to keep believers from walking in the fullness of their calling. However, Scripture reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37) and that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
We must remember that our authority comes from Jesus, not from our own strength or merit. It is not based on how good or perfect we are, but on His finished work on the cross. When we grasp this truth, we can walk in boldness, knowing that we are backed by the power of heaven. This confidence enables us to face every challenge with faith, knowing that we carry the authority to overcome.
The Great Commission: Our Call to Action
Jesus' words in Matthew 28:18-20 were not just a command for the early disciples—they are a command for every believer today. The Great Commission is the ultimate expression of Kingdom authority. We are called to go into all the world, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded. This is not a suggestion; it is a mandate for all who follow Christ.
As we go, we carry the authority of Jesus with us. We are His ambassadors, entrusted with the message of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit. Wherever we go, we have the opportunity to release God's Kingdom—whether it be in our families, workplaces, communities, or nations.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Authority in Christ
Kingdom authority is not just a theological concept; it is a reality that every believer is called to walk in. Jesus has given you His authority, and He is calling you to exercise it in faith. You are a partner in building the Kingdom of God, and He has equipped you with everything you need to see His will done on earth as it is in heaven.
As you embrace your authority in Christ, remember that you are not alone. Jesus promised to be with you always, to the very end of the age. His presence empowers you, and His authority gives you the confidence to step out in boldness. So, rise up in faith, take hold of your Kingdom authority, and watch as God moves mightily through you for His glory.
