The Authority of The Divine Power for Miraculous Works

Published on June 7, 2024

The authority given to Jesus' disciples to cast out demons, raise the dead, heal the sick, and perform other miraculous works is a profound aspect of their mission. This authority is rooted in Jesus' own divine power and His commissioning of the disciples. Understanding how this authority operates involves exploring its theological basis and practical implications as described in the New Testament.

The Theological Basis of Authority

1. **Divine Mandate**:

   The authority given to the disciples is not of human origin but comes directly from Jesus, who has been given all authority by God the Father. This divine mandate is essential for understanding the nature of their power. Jesus explicitly states in Matthew 28:18 that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." By extension, the authority He imparts to His disciples is an extension of His own divine authority.

2. **Empowerment by the Holy Spirit**:

   The New Testament frequently links the disciples' ability to perform miracles with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2) empowers the disciples to carry out their mission with divine power.

3. **Faith and Obedience**:

   Faith and obedience to Jesus' commandments are crucial for exercising this authority. Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith in performing miracles, as seen in passages like Matthew 17:20, where He says, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Practical Implications of the Disciples' Authority

1. **Casting Out Demons**:

   The authority to cast out demons is prominently featured in Jesus' ministry and is directly transferred to His disciples. In Matthew 10:1, it is written, "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." This authority over unclean spirits demonstrates Jesus' dominion over the spiritual realm and His power to liberate individuals from demonic oppression.

2. **Healing the Sick**:

   Healing the sick is a tangible expression of the coming of God's kingdom. Jesus' healing miracles serve as signs of God's compassion and power, and He commissions His disciples to continue this work. The authority to heal is a manifestation of the in-breaking of God's kingdom, which brings restoration and wholeness. This healing is often accompanied by the proclamation of the Gospel, as seen in Luke 9:2, where Jesus sends the disciples to "proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

3. **Raising the Dead**:

   The authority to raise the dead is perhaps the most dramatic demonstration of divine power, signifying victory over death itself. Instances such as the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:21-43) and Lazarus (John 11) highlight the power of Jesus' authority over life and death. When the disciples are given this authority, it underscores the transformative power of the Gospel and the hope of resurrection and eternal life.

4. **Freely Received, Freely Given**:

   The directive "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8) emphasizes that the authority and power bestowed upon the disciples are gifts of grace. They are to use this authority selflessly and generously, mirroring Jesus' own ministry. This principle ensures that their actions are motivated by love and service, not personal gain or ambition.

Conclusion

The authority given to Jesus' disciples to cast out demons, raise the dead, and heal the sick is a profound testament to the divine nature of their mission. Rooted in Jesus' own authority and empowered by the Holy Spirit, this miraculous power serves to advance the kingdom of God on earth. Through faith, obedience, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the disciples are able to perform works that testify to the reality of God's kingdom and the transformative power of the Gospel. This authority is both a responsibility and a privilege, calling the disciples to continue Jesus' mission with the assurance of His presence and power.

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The Sermons of Jesus Christ

1. Sermon on the Mount:

   - *Explanation:* Jesus delivered this sermon to His disciples, teaching them about the principles of the Kingdom of God.

   - *Bible Verses:* Matthew 5:1-12

   - *Key Points:* 

     - The Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.

2. Sermon on the Plain:

   - *Explanation:* Similar to the Sermon on the Mount, this sermon is also about the principles of the Kingdom of God, but it was delivered on a plain rather than a mount.

   - *Bible Verses:* Luke 6:17-49

   - *Key Points:* 

     - Blessings and woes: Jesus blesses the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the persecuted but warns of woe to the rich, the full, those who laugh now, and those spoken well of by others.

     - Love for enemies: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

3. Parables of Jesus:

   - *Explanation:* Jesus often taught using parables, which are earthly stories with heavenly meanings.

   - *Bible Verses:* Matthew 13:1-52, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:4-18

   - *Key Points:* 

     - Parable of the Sower: Explains how different people respond to the message of the Kingdom of God.

     - Parable of the Prodigal Son: Teaches about God's forgiveness and love for his children.

     - Parable of the Good Samaritan: Teaches about loving your neighbor as yourself.

4. The Great Commission:

   - *Explanation:* Jesus gave his disciples the command to make disciples of all nations.

   - *Bible Verses:* Matthew 28:16-20

   - *Key Points:* 

     - Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

5. The Two Greatest Commandments:

   - *Explanation:* Jesus summarizes the entire law into two commandments: love God and love your neighbor.

   - *Bible Verses:* Matthew 22:34-40

   - *Key Points:* 

     - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

These are just a few of the sermons and teachings of Jesus from the Bible. There are many more throughout the New Testament.

Good News !

Published on May, 2024

The Good News, is that Jesus Christ came to earth to save us from our sins and to give us eternal life. The Bible tells us in John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Through Jesus Christ, we can find victory over sin. Romans 6:23 explains:

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We are all sinners, and the penalty for our sin is death. However, Jesus paid the price for our sin by dying on the cross. Through faith in Him, we can be forgiven and receive eternal life. Romans 5:8 says:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

When we believe in Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, our sins are forgiven, and we are made righteous in God's sight. Romans 10:9-10 explains:

"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Faith in Jesus Christ brings us peace with God. Romans 5:1 says:

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

And this peace surpasses all understanding, as Philippians 4:7 tells us:

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Finally, through faith in Jesus Christ, we have the hope of eternal life in heaven. John 14:2-3 says:

"My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

In summary, faith in Jesus Christ gives us victory over sin, brings us salvation and eternal life, gives us peace with God, and offers us the hope of living with Him in heaven for eternity.

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