“Dominion” means “mastery” and the power “to rule.” The precise nature of the rule or dominion varies with the situation or context. “Dominion” occurs 55 times in the KJVS, and ultimately all dominion belongs to God (Job 25:2; Psalm 72:8; Daniel 4:3, 34; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Peter 4:11). The word can either denote political authority (Numbers 24:19; Daniel 7:6, 12, 14) or the realm in which that authority is exercised (1 Kings 4:24; 9:19).
Dominion may have a positive connotation as when humankind is given dominion over creation (Genesis 1:26, 28; Psalm 8:6) or a negative connotation like the of domination of one person or group of people over another (Genesis 37:8; Judges 14:4; Nehemiah 9:28). The figurative use of “dominion” in the New Testament is more significant for us. “Dominion” is used figuratively for the authority of the law (Romans 7:1) and for the domination of sin and death (Psalm 19:13; Romans 6:9, 14).
There are two changes that occur when we become Christians that intertwine with the idea of “dominion.” The first change is one of allegiance. We change from the dominion of sin to the dominion of Christ. Satan is powerful, but God and His word are more powerful. We change from being friends with the world to acknowledging that Christ is the Son of the living God (James 4:4; Matthew 16:16). Our allegiance changes through the process of confession (Matthew 10:32). Confessing Christ results in salvation (Romans 10:9-10).
The second change is one of citizenship. We are translated in Colossians 1:13-14, and the translation moves us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Christ (Acts 26:15-18; 1 Peter 2:9). At this point, Christ now rules in our hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:17).
Kyle Campbell
