Where does true authority originate from?

Tom Ascol discusses the nature and source of authority, emphasizing that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus Christ. Human authorities, such as presidents, congressional leaders, and judges, exercise delegated authority, which is ultimately vested by Christ. Recognizing this helps Christians understand that governmental authority is not the final authority. Instead, these authorities have a specific role ordained by Christ, and when they step outside of their ordained lane, they are violating the very source of their delegated authority.

Christians are called to remind these authorities of their accountability to God. When faced with commands that contradict Christian teachings, believers must respectfully affirm their allegiance to God's authority above all. Examples from the Bible, like Daniel and his friends, show that even in the face of persecution, obedience to God takes precedence over human mandates. This principle extends beyond government to other areas of human authority, such as within families and churches, where authority must be exercised within the boundaries set by Christ.

Acts 5:29 (NKJV): "But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We ought to obey God rather than men.'"