Authority of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s authority underlines his divine status

John 8:28 NASB95

So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.

See also Jn 8:58; Jn 14:6; 1 Co 1:24; Col 2:10

The origin of Jesus Christ’s authority

It is given by God the Father

John 3:35 NASB95

“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

See also Mt 28:18; Lk 10:22; Jn 5:26–27; Jn 7:16; Jn 10:18; Jn 12:49–50; Jn 17:2

It is limited by the Father

Mark 10:40 NASB95

“But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

See also Mt 24:36; Php 2:6–8

It is questioned by others

Matthew 12:24–28 NASB95

But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.” And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? “If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

See also Mt 21:23–27; Jn 2:18

The authority of Jesus Christ is seen in his works

He has authority over nature

Mt 8:23–27; Mt 14:22–33; Mt 21:18–22

He has authority over sin

Mt 9:1–8; Lk 7:37–38; Lk 7:44–50

He has authority over sickness

Mt 8:14–15; Mt 20:29–34; Ac 3:16; Ac 4:30

He has authority over evil

Mk 1:23–27; Lk 10:17

He has authority over death

Mt 9:18–25; Mt 28:1–7; Lk 7:11–16; Jn 11:38–44

The authority of Jesus Christ is seen in his teaching

Jesus Christ claims authority for his own words

Luke 4:18 NASB95

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed,

See also Mt 5:21–22; Mt 5:27–28; Mt 12:41–42; Mt 17:5; Mk 2:5; Mk 2:10; Mk 8:38; Mk 10:15 The use of the phrase “I tell you the truth” emphasises Jesus Christ’s authority; Mk 13:26; Mk 13:31; Jn 4:24–26; Jn 6:63; Jn 7:15–18; Jn 12:48–50; Jn 13:13; Jn 14:6 The “I am” sayings in John’s Gospel emphasise the divine nature of Jesus Christ’s authority; Jn 15:3

His authority is recognised by others

Matthew 7:28–29 NASB95

When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

See also Mt 22:33; Mt 22:46; Mk 1:22; Mk 1:27

His authority is questioned and opposed by others

Mt 26:65–68; Lk 4:28–30

Jesus Christ delegates his authority to others

His followers preach in his name

Mt 10:7; Mt 28:18–20

His followers continue his works

Mt 10:1; Mt 10:8; Mk 3:15; Mk 6:13; Mk 16:17–18; Lk 10:1–12; Jn 14:12; Ac 3:6; Ac 3:16

His followers pronounce his forgiveness and judgment

Mt 18:18; Mk 6:11; Lk 22:28–30; Jn 20:22–23; 1 Co 6:2–3

The results of Jesus Christ’s authority

He receives honour and glory

John 5:22–23 NASB95

“For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

See also Jn 11:4; Jn 17:5

He arouses amazement

Mt 9:33; Mt 12:23

He is opposed

Matthew 12:14 NASB95

But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

He is feared

Luke 8:37 NASB95

And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned.

His disciples are opposed

Acts 16:16–24 NASB95

It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling. Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.” The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The authority of the exalted Christ

He is Lord

Eph 1:20; Php 2:9–11; Col 3:1; 1 Pe 3:22; Re 3:21

He is Lord of creation

Colossians 1:16–17 NASB95

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

He is Lord of the church

Eph 1:22; Eph 5:23; Col 1:18

He is judge

Ac 10:42; Ac 17:31

He is Saviour

Jn 3:15; Jn 14:3; Col 1:19–20; Tt 2:13; Heb 7:24–25; Heb 9:28

He is interceder

Ro 8:34; Heb 7:25; Heb 9:24; 1 Jn 2:1