The Bible teaches that authority and power are divine gifts given by God to accomplish His purposes. Scripture reminds us that true authority flows from submission to God’s will, and power is displayed in humble service to others. These verses reveal how believers should understand and exercise authority in their personal lives, communities, and relationship with God. Do read on!
Also Read: Bible Verses About Submitting to Authority
The Source of Authority
All authority comes from God, and He appoints leaders and rulers to govern according to His purposes. These verses emphasize that earthly power ultimately reflects God’s divine sovereignty.
Romans 13:1
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”
Proverbs 8:15-16
“Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.”
Daniel 2:21
“He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.”
Colossians 1:16
“For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything was created through him and for him.”
John 19:11
“Then Jesus said, ‘You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.'”
Christ’s Authority and Power
Jesus demonstrated unparalleled authority throughout His ministry, calming storms, healing the sick, and forgiving sins. His divine authority reveals His identity as the Son of God.
Matthew 28:18
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.'”
Luke 4:36
“Amazed, the people exclaimed, ‘What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!'”
Mark 2:10
“So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!'”
Colossians 2:10
“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”
John 10:18
“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live out God’s will with courage, boldness, and authority. Through the Spirit, we receive the strength needed for ministry and service.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Romans 8:11
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Galatians 5:16
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
Ephesians 3:20
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Authority to Overcome Evil
God gives believers the authority to resist evil and stand firm against spiritual attacks. Through faith, we overcome the forces of darkness by God’s power.
James 4:7
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Ephesians 6:11
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
Luke 10:19
“Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”
1 John 4:4
“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
2 Corinthians 10:4
“We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.”
Authority in Leadership
Biblical leadership emphasizes humility, service, and stewardship. Leaders are called to exercise authority with love, reflecting the heart of Christ in their actions.
Mark 10:43-44
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.”
1 Peter 5:2-3
“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.”
Proverbs 29:2
“When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.”
Titus 1:7
“A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.”
Hebrews 13:17
“Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.”
Authority Through Faith
Faith in God grants believers access to divine authority and power. These verses highlight how trust in God activates His promises, enabling us to overcome challenges and witness His power at work.
Matthew 17:20
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
Mark 11:24
“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Hebrews 11:33-34
“By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.”
1 John 5:4
“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by believing and not by seeing.”
Authority Over Nature
The Bible shows that God exercises control over nature, and at times, He grants His people authority to impact natural elements. These examples demonstrate the power of God’s authority over creation.
Matthew 8:26
“Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”
Joshua 10:13
“So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day.”
Exodus 14:21
“Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.”
1 Kings 17:1
“Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, ‘As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!'”
Revelation 11:6
“They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.”
Authority to Heal and Deliver
Throughout the Bible, God’s power brings healing and deliverance. Jesus and His followers demonstrated authority over sickness and evil spirits, showing the compassionate heart of God.
Matthew 10:1
“Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.”
Acts 3:6
“But Peter said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!'”
Mark 16:17-18
“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
Luke 9:1
“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.”
James 5:14-15
“Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.”
Authority in Prayer
Prayer unlocks God’s power in our lives, allowing us to align with His will and exercise spiritual authority. These verses highlight the effectiveness of prayer as a tool for change and divine intervention.
John 14:13-14
“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
Matthew 18:18-19
“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.”
1 John 3:22
“And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.”
Philippians 4:6-7
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Power of the Tongue
What Does the Bible Say About Authority and Power
The Bible teaches that all authority and power come from God, and He is the one who gives it to people for His purposes. In Romans 13:1, the Bible says that everyone should respect the authorities because no one can have power unless God allows it, and the ones who are in charge are placed there by Him. This means that whether it is in the government, the church, or the family, God is the one who gives people their position and power, and we are told to honor them as part of following Him.
However, the Bible also shows that authority must be used with love and care, not in a way that harms others. Jesus taught His disciples that the greatest leaders are those who serve others, not those who try to control them. In Mark 10:42-45, He said that even though rulers in the world like to show off their power, His followers must be different by leading with humility and love, just like He did. Jesus, who had the greatest power, still chose to wash the feet of His disciples and die on the cross for us, showing that real authority is about serving others.
The Bible warns that abusing power is sinful, and God holds people accountable for how they use their authority. In the Old Testament, kings like Saul and Pharaoh lost their power because they disobeyed God and used their authority selfishly. God wants those with power to act justly and care for the weak, as Micah 6:8 says. In the same way, when people in authority ask us to do things that go against God’s Word, we should obey God rather than men, as shown in Acts 5:29.
God gives power to bless others and carry out His will, not for selfish gain. So, the Bible teaches us to respect authority, but we must always remember that God’s authority is the highest.