The Ambassador & Kingdom Authority

[Martin Schmaltz]

 When we are born again, we change our citizenship: from a kingdom of darkness to a kingdom of light. Paul tells us "our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20 ESV). It is from this new kingdom that we are sent as representatives, or ambassadors if you will, to the micro-cultures where we find our selves living.

 

A quick glance at some of the facts about ambassadors will give us some insights regarding how we are to live as representatives of our King. According to Merriam Webster, an ambassador is defined as: "an official envoy; especially: a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign; an authorized representative or messenger." (Merriam Webster)

 

From this, we could say, an ambassador is an official representative, sent to a particular nation or culture to speak with authority for the sovereign. As I will reveal, the same applies to you and I as Kingdom representatives.

 

Ambassadors Are Sent Representatives

While the ambassador’s citizenship is in one country, most live outside of their home nations as sent representatives to another country. This is crucial to their responsibilities; it is by living in the culture they are sent to that they gain an understanding of the cultural story. This increases their ability to communicate their government’s messages in a context that will be understood.

 

As Jesus representatives, we are sent to the micro-cultures of our world. In John 17:18, He tells us "As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world" (ESV).  This is our commissioning: just as Jesus was sent to this world, we have been authorized and sent. (For more info about being sent see "What Is Apostolic.") In this sending, Jesus came to earth, walking among the confused and hurting masses of mankind. He lived and ministered in the midst of those who needed him the most. In fact, He was so involved with the outcast and marginalized that the religious called him a drunkard, glutton and a friend of sinners!

 

As his representatives or ambassadors, it is our responsibility to GO; we are get involved in the lives of those we are sent TO. We cannot wait within the confines of our religious boxes for them to come to us. Further, it is this involvement that will allow us to grasp the story of our cultures and present to them our Kings message of good news in a contextually relevant way.

 

Ambassadors Represent Their Sovereign

In our modern world, it is understood that an ambassador is the representative of the government that sent them. This was not always the case. In the early European model, the ambassador was "was historically deemed the personal representative of the Sovereign, and the custom of dispatching ambassadors to the head of state rather than the government." (Wikipedia) In short, the ambassador was the personal representative of the king, not a governmental organization.

 

For the Kingdom representative, or ambassador, this is a crucial point of faith: we are the personal representatives of Jesus Christ! We are not representatives of an organization, denomination or particular flavor of church: we are His representatives! This is important for us to grasp for two reasons.

 

First, It is His person we are to declare! I am not trying to convert anyone to a particular group or religion: I am trying to get them to become like Jesus ~ Kingdom discipleship!

 

Second, It is His power we are authorized to use for HIS purpose! There is no denomination or organization that has the power to perform the miraculous: only our King Jesus!

 

Ambassadors Are Authorized To Speak With Authority

As the sent representative, the ambassador is authorized to speak the mind or will of the sovereign. This empowerment is called  plenipotentiary authority. Wikipedia says  "The word plenipotentiary (from the Latin, plenus + potens, full + power) ....it refers to a person who has "full powers." In particular, the term commonly refers to a diplomat fully authorized to represent his government." (Wikipedia) When the ambassador declared the message they were sent to deliver, it is as if their sovereign was present and speaking for themselves.

 

Being sent and going as the personal representative of our King authorizes us to speak with authority for Him. Just as the man Jesus spoke what was revealed to him; our job is to declare what is revealed to us.  This means that we must have an intimate relationship with our Sovereign. This goes beyond church attendance, program involvement, routine prayer and bible reading to learn about him; but coming to a place we know him. It is spending time with Him in such a way that his thoughts, will and desires become mine! It is from this place we will be authorized to declare His will and the result will be a demonstration of his miraculous power. (Space truly prohibits elaborating on speaking with authority. For more info, visit chapter 5 of our book Apostolic Authority, Every Believer's Privilege.)

 

Summary

To summarize, we are the sent representatives (ambassadors) of the Kingdom. We have been sent to individually unique cultures as personal representatives of our King, Jesus. It is our privilege and responsibility to speak, with full authority, declaring His will to this world.  When we do so, we can expect the miraculous demonstration of the power of His Kingdom!

[Martin Schmaltz]

James, thanks for the comment and recommending the blog. I truly believe in the power of words, especially His word. There is much I could say about expressing authority and His kingdom. Your comments regarding Adam are similar to what I have seen. In fact, the first couple chapters of my book, I reveal what it means to be in His image and likeness. It is the basis of our sentness to fulfill the great commission, demonstrating Kingdom authority. Thanks again.

[James Nored]

Thank you for sharing, Martin! I read chapter 5 from your book. (Sorry for the delay in response--it has been quite a week.) I think that postmodernism, with its emphasis upon language, has made us more aware of the expressed power of words in the creation account. God says, "Let there be light" and there was light! And Adam's being made in God's image means that he is able to much of what God is able to do in the creation account--think, speak, create, rule, etc. Adam's naming of the animals is a God type of act--an exertion of authority, as you say.

The ability to name, categorize, and the like is indeed an exertion of power, as any postmodern language theorist will tell you. It is why there is such a sensitivity today to how people or things or described. Flight attendant instead of stewardess, African-American instead of black, etc. 

I do not think that we have adequately explored the concept of authority and its link to the Great Commission. Thank you for bringing this out. I will be interested in exploring it further.