Today’s Bible Study, Authored by Arthur
Cincotti. 07/16/2023
Listen to our Bible
Study Discussion at: Authority and Jurisdiction Podcast
Or watch the Video Zoom Session of our Study on YouTube:
Authority and Jurisdiction
“For the word of God is
living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the
division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Heb. 4:12
Before we get anywhere today
we’ll have to invest some time to establish the tri-une nature of man. Created
in God’s likeness and image, we likewise have a tri-une dimension to who we
are; spirit, soul, and body. This is very controversial in ecclesiastical
camps. Let us also peek at I Thes. 5:23 “Now may the God of peace himself
sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It gets confusing because the
words “spirit” and “soul” are often used interchangeably and many dictionary
definitions use one to describe the other.
Spirit:
Spirit is the most controversial. Some would say that,
before conversion the spirit is dormant. Others would say that the spirit is
absent, liken to an animal. Still others would say that the spirit in a man is
the spirit of Antichrist as in I Jn. 4:3. (read)
I would submit that at the
point of conversion the “spirit man” awakens
to life in Christ. This is the “new creation” spoken of by Paul in II
Cor. 5:17 and the “one new man” spoken of by Paul in Eph. 2:15
If all is working
righteously, the new creation man has taken authority over the soul and the
body (flesh). Only the spirit man can communicate with God: I Cor. 2:6-16 (read)
It is out of order, when the
“old woman” (the soul) feeds, that is to say, “instructs” the “new creation
man” (the spirit man), at such times the flesh does whatever it pleases.
It’s an issue of authority!
Satan has no authority over
the “new creation man”
see II Cor. 1:20-22 and Eph. 1:13
If such is the case then why
does Satan still rage? What can he accomplish?
I like Michael Heiser’s
explanation that demons are battling for continued existence in this
dispensation. They are defeated but they still have some jurisdiction.
Corruption and entropy are their playground.
Jn. 10-10 says, “The thief
does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that
they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
I would submit that there are
three spheres identified in this verse, that are susceptible to corruption:
“steal” speaks to prosperity, finances or, what the
Scripture calls “increase”.
“kill” speaks physical health, death being the ultimate consequence.
“destroy” speaks to personal relationships.
As long as corruption and entropy continue (this
dispensation) Satan has jurisdiction to use this back drop to try to shift
authority. The only authority that Satan has is what we give him with our confession.
In contrast, God likewise
gives us authority to declare His word.
This folds back on “who is driving the train” (authority) in
our own little triune being; the spirit man who is in communion with God and
hears from God, or the soul who is trying to figure things out on its own? We
still have that option.
To return to today’s opening verse, “The word of God…”
is authoritative, and should be our sole source of authority. It is not subject
to interpretation; II Pe. 1:20, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of
Scripture is of any private interpretation.” And, Jn. 16:13, “when He,
the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” This part
is not as much of a mystery as we make it.
Listen to the Holy Spirit and
give the word of God authority in your life to lead your soul and body into
paths of righteousness and don’t worry about Satan’s temporary jurisdiction.
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For those who require the
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Encouragement
for the Path of Christian Discipleship
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