What does it mean to teach with authority?

According to the gospel of Mark, people in the synagogues were impressed with Jesus’ teaching, “for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22).

The word translated here as “authority” is the Greek exousia (Strong’s #1849), which can also mean “power” or “liberty.” Mark wants us to know that Jesus taught with a power and a sense of liberty that the scribes didn’t have.

Mark connects Jesus’ authority for teaching to the casting out of demons (Mark 1:22-28), implying that the other Jewish teachers of the time (the scribes) didn’t have such a power. They had a lot to say, but their words were empty, devoid of any power to change lives.

There’s a challenge here for the church. The question church leaders need to ask themselves is, do we teach with authority?

A church that teaches with authority backs its doctrines up with spiritual power for healing. And while deliverance from demonic possession is still as necessary a ministry as ever, this isn’t the only type of deliverance that’s needed.

Indeed, there are many things that keep people in bondage, including poverty, addiction, bigotry, illness and crippling loneliness – to name just a few. And while many churches have addressed one or more of these needs, far fewer have made such things the focal point of their ministries.

Many people think of church as a place where we’re told what to believe and how to behave, rather than a place where captives are set free; and there are just enough churches like this to justify such a reputation.

The good news is that things don’t have to stay this way. There’s still time for us (both as individuals and as the church) to grow and change. Indeed, a deeper connection to Jesus is possible, as many lives have shown.

When we truly connect to the Spirit of Christ, it changes our thinking (which is what the word “repent” means). We come to see that all things are truly one; and we begin to feel others’ joys and sorrows as if they were our own (and in a very real sense, they are!)

This new understanding, coupled with a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, gives us the power to work for justice and reconciliation in the world – and to a far greater degree than we could using only our own power as individuals!

Though it’s easy to get discouraged sometimes, we need to remember Jesus’ promise that “the gates of Hades will not prevail” against the true church (Matt 16:18); that there will always be a remnant of God’s people in the world, working to free others from bondage of whatever kind.

When people see this faithful remnant at work, they will be astounded; and most truly will they proclaim, “These people teach with authority!”