The Authority of Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit Explained

Sanctification is often thought of only in terms of avoiding sin and striving for holiness, but it is also about stepping into the fullness of what Jesus has already entrusted to us. As believers grow in their journey of sanctification, they are called to recognize and exercise the authority and power Christ gives His people. This means that the Christian life is not intended to be marked by weakness or defeat, but by a Spirit-empowered walk that reflects our identity in Christ. Living sanctified lives involves more than personal purity; it is living as people who understand who they are in Jesus, walking in His authority, and depending on the Spirit’s power to carry out His mission in the world.

Authority Given to the Twelve Disciples

In Matthew 10, we read that Jesus, after preaching, healing, and casting out demons Himself, called His twelve disciples and gave them authority to drive out demons and to heal every disease and sickness. This moment was a pivotal shift in His ministry. By empowering the disciples, Jesus multiplied His work so the Kingdom message could spread faster and reach farther. It was also a form of hands-on training, preparing the disciples for future leadership in the Church. They were not just observers but apprentices, learning to minister in the authority of Christ. This move surely stirred the anger of the Pharisees, yet it provided undeniable evidence that this authority was not unique to Jesus alone but was given to His followers as well. Their ability to heal and deliver demonstrated that believers could indeed walk in the same authority given by Christ.

Authority Given to the Seventy-Two

In Luke 10, Jesus expanded this authority further by appointing seventy-two others and sending them out two by two into every town. They were tasked with healing the sick and proclaiming the Kingdom. When they returned, they were amazed, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Jesus responded with a profound statement: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” He affirmed that they had been given authority to overcome the power of the enemy and promised that nothing would harm them. Yet, He quickly redirected their focus, reminding them not to rejoice merely in the power they wielded but in the eternal reality that their names were written in heaven. This distinction was crucial—spiritual authority is real and vital, but it is temporary compared to the eternal gift of salvation. Jesus also warned them against pride, teaching that joy must be rooted in God’s grace, not in their ability or authority.

Authority Rooted in the Great Commission

After His resurrection, Jesus declared His universal authority: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). On this foundation, He commissioned His followers to go into all the world, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey His commands. This passage, often called the Great Commission, anchors the believer’s authority in the supreme authority of Christ Himself. Our mission is not carried out in our own strength but in the power and authority of the risen Lord who is always with us. In this commission, the authority of Jesus is both the source and the assurance—He authorizes the mission and guarantees His presence as we carry it out to the very end of the age.

Were Miracles Limited to That Time?

Some may question whether miracles were only for the time of Jesus and His first disciples, pointing to the Great Commission where Matthew emphasizes baptizing and discipling nations without explicitly mentioning miracles. Yet, when we look to Mark 16:15–18, Jesus makes it clear that miraculous signs would continue to follow those who believe. He promises that in His name believers will cast out demons, speak in new tongues, overcome deadly dangers, and heal the sick. These signs were not reserved for the Twelve but were meant to accompany faith wherever the gospel is preached.

History and testimony confirm this truth. For example, in parts of Africa, even witch doctors have surrendered to Christ after witnessing God’s power firsthand. In some cases, ministers were deliberately poisoned, yet miraculously remained unharmed. Their survival opened the eyes of onlookers to the reality and authority of Jesus, leading many—including former enemies—to conversion.

The book of Acts gives us further confirmation. Philip, who was not one of the twelve apostles, ministered in Samaria, driving out demons and healing the sick through the power of Christ (Acts 8:6–7). Later, when Saul was blinded on the road to Damascus, it was not one of the original disciples but an ordinary believer, Ananias, who laid hands on him and restored his sight (Acts 9:17–18). These accounts highlight that miracles extended beyond the Twelve, showing that God’s power works through all who are willing to walk in faith.

Paul also clarifies this in 1 Corinthians 12, teaching that the gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, and others are distributed by the Holy Spirit to the church as He wills. These gifts were never meant to disappear but to continue as part of the Spirit’s work in building up the body of Christ and advancing the gospel. Miracles are not confined to the first century—they remain a living testimony of Jesus’ authority and the Spirit’s presence among His people today.

Authority and Power: Two Sides of the Same Reality

When it comes to the Christian life, two words must be clearly understood: authority and power. Kings rule through authority, but they conquer through power. Authority gives the right to act, while power provides the ability to make things happen. Both are necessary, and both were given to believers through Jesus Christ.

Authority: The Right to Act

Authority is the legitimate right to command, decide, or enforce obedience. It is rooted in law, position, or divine order. Unlike raw strength, authority carries legitimacy—it is the right to act, not merely the ability. In Scripture, the Greek word exousia describes this rightful authority or jurisdiction to act, often understood as delegated rule from God Himself. It carries judicial weight and supersedes all other powers because it is divinely sourced.

To understand authority, consider a traffic officer standing in the middle of a busy intersection. The officer does not have the physical strength to stop cars with their bare hands, but when they raise their hand, traffic halts. Cars stop not because of the officer’s personal power, but because of the recognized authority backing their position. Likewise, authority is not about our strength but about God’s power standing behind us. Another analogy is the wiring in a house connected to a power plant. A switch by itself has no power—it’s just plastic and metal—but when flipped, it releases the flow of electricity. Exercising authority works the same way: it is not generated by us, but it flows through us when we act in alignment with the One who has delegated it.

Power: The Ability to Act

Power, on the other hand, is the ability, strength, or capacity to bring about results. While authority is about legitimacy, power is about force—it is the strength to cause change. In the Bible, the Greek word dunamis is used to describe this inherent power, often referring to the miraculous works of God that actively transform situations. It is the supernatural ability that brings heaven’s reality to earth.

To picture power, think of a weightlifter hoisting a heavy barbell. The weight doesn’t move because of permission but because of raw strength. That’s power—the direct exertion of force that gets things done. Another picture is the charge in a smartphone battery. Apps only run as long as the battery has energy to give; once the charge is gone, nothing functions. In the same way, power fuels the work of authority. It is the divine strength supplied by God, enabling believers to walk out their calling with results that cannot be achieved by human effort alone.

The Combination of Authority and Power

Authority and power are not meant to function in isolation—they work together. Think again of the police officer. With his badge, he has the authority to direct traffic, and cars obey because his position is recognized. But when he is in his patrol car, his authority is now reinforced with the power of the engine, lights, and sirens. He not only has the right to command, but also the means to enforce it.

Another picture is found in a courtroom. A judge has the authority to declare a verdict, yet he may not possess the physical power to remove someone who refuses to comply. That is why the bailiff is present. The judge speaks with rightful authority, and the bailiff enforces it with power. The two roles complement each other—authority declares what is right, and power ensures that authority is carried out.

For believers, this principle is the same. Authority is rooted in legitimacy and permission, while power is about ability and strength. Through Christ, we have been given authority in His name to declare the will of heaven. And through the Holy Spirit, we have been given the power to enforce it. Together, authority and power equip us not only to proclaim the truth of God but also to see His kingdom manifest on earth.

Putting It All Together

Authority and power must go hand in hand. Without authority, a person may have power but no right to use it. For example, a criminal may have the ability to act but no legitimacy behind those actions. On the other hand, without power, one may have authority but no ability to enforce it. A judge may have the legal right to issue a sentence, yet he cannot physically carry it out himself—he relies on others to bring the verdict into effect.

In Christ, however, believers are given both. We have authority—the right to act in Jesus’ name—and we have power—the supernatural ability supplied by the Holy Spirit to carry it out. Scripture affirms that our authority is rooted in Christ’s name, while our effectiveness comes from the Spirit who empowers us. This means we are not only permitted to represent Jesus but also equipped with heaven’s strength to make His will known on earth. Authority grants us legitimacy, and power makes that legitimacy effective. Together, they allow us to live boldly, advancing the Kingdom of God with confidence and impact.