It's not all negative, you know. Dominion is a totally Scriptural idea. But because of translation issues, things have gotten a wee bit confused. Dominion has been intertwined with power, and authority, and even more, but sometimes improperly. Let's talk about the word itself.

“Dominion”, “government”, “rule”, “lording over”, these are all proper ways to translate the Greek words of the family “kurios.” Jesus was called Kurios, “Lord” all His days here. He is the Lord, after all. His is the dominion. His the power. His the authority. The question before us is, how much of that authority and rule is passed on to His followers?

A word first about power and authority. Picture the policeman. This is not very original, and I'm sure you've heard it many times, but it works. The policeman shows his authority by his badge and uniform. He shows his power by his weapons. Dominion, in this context, would be pretty hard for him to show, except that he represents the City or County magistrates and carries their ruler-ship.

The analogy breaks down – or rather holds up? – when the said policeman shows up at a Council meeting and tries to run the show. The real dominions present will make short work of him.

Those claiming the authority and power of Jesus have some pretty good legs to stand on. They can take authority over sickness, they can announce forgiveness of sin, they can cast out the devil's own servants, they can call for changes of nature and situation and... you name it. Pretty powerful folks, these believers.

It's when they start acting like they are running the show that Jesus Himself has to say, uh, excuse Me.

He warned His followers that they were in no way to exercise dominion (His very word) over the Gentiles or each other as the people of this world did and do. Verboden! Jude warns us not to despise dominions of any sort. Paul says that the powers that be are of God. Not for us to mess with. Paul also comments to the Corinthians that he in no way had dominion (again, his word!) over their faith.

So except where Jesus shows up in a “dominion” text, where it is all His, it is simply not owned by anyone else.

Dominion is closely related to, even synonymous with, the idea of “reigning.” Here we find another piece of the puzzle for would-be dominion theologians. Reigning for believers is all in the future.

Sorry. There is a move afoot to grab all Millennial passages and bring them into our day. This is robbery of the worst sort. If you've been one to try to steal Christian hope, please stop. Without hope, all we have is the moment.

Would you believe, the full reign of even Jesus is also out there in the future? Hebrews 2:8 indicates that not everything that needs to be conquered has been conquered, as it will be in the Millennial rule of Jesus on earth. Those who want the Kingdom now are way ahead of the King! Some day we shall see all enemies put under his feet (I Corinthians 15:25), but that day is after He comes in judgment and sets up the fullness of the Kingdom that we are to preach.

Romans 5:17, II Timothy 2:12, Revelation 5:10. We shall reign with Christ if we suffer with Him now. The reigning as kings has not begun.

For now, it is that other Jesus we see. The one who bore our sorrows. The crucified but risen Jesus is the one we must preach. Not crucified alone, and left on a cross. Not resurrected alone, as though the cross is of no value or significance now. Indeed, a cross-less Christianity is nothing more than being a nice guy who does cool things.

Paul said to that American-style church in Corinth: You reigned as kings. But we didn't. We're happy for you, but we'll keep our profile low.

As disciples grow, they go lower. They don't try to take over, they try to give away. They don't try to dominate (dominion), they become slaves.

Dominion theology and Book of Acts reality are totally different creatures. Exercise your authority and power, but let Jesus be King!