Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
Did anyone actually think about whether power = authority? It is obvious that there are too many examples of authority with no power, and power with no authority to accept that as true. But he then rephrased several verses, including "for Thine is the kingdom and the authority and the glory forever, amen."
I would not deny that His is the authority. But it does not say authority there. It says power and they are not the same.
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Mt 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Power in this verse is dynamis; that is force, or strength of force.
Ephesians 6:12 ... powers... " exousia is used. It is the power of position; that is authority to command or direct force.
A human illustration is a general has exousia. His army has dynamis.
God possesses both. As Creator He has the right of authoritative position over His creation. As Omnipotent God he is the source of all dynamis.
The use of the Englishman's Greek concordance would help you see all of the verses that use each of these words so that you can adjust your thinking to match the Scripture.
You can also use the Blue Letter Bible app. Click on a verse, and select "inter linear/concordance, select the particular English/Greek word, then scroll down to see all of the verses where that Greek word is used and how it is alternatively translated. To avoid isogesis, you would want to open a Bible and prayerfully read the entire passage each verse occurs in to capture the context.
This will give enough of God's perspective so you can confidently receive that which is insightful and true from any preacher/author and reject that which is other than God's truth.
Focusing on whether Lee or Nee is right or wrong here or there is a losing battle (IMHO). It sounds like an emotional negative reaction, which never leads positively to the truth of God.
I empathize because I've been injured in the name of Christ, but I know that I am not healthy and free until my thoughts are predominantly on what God wants to say and do in my life today, rather than on yesterday's injuries. The same is true of an past hurtful event, regardless of the source.