Authority of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s authority underlines his divine status

John 8:28 ESV

28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just 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 (ESV)

35 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 ESV

40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, 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 ESV

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, 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 ESV

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty 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 ESV

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had 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 ESV

22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever 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 ESV

14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

He is feared

Luke 8:37 ESV

37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.

His disciples are opposed

Acts 16:16–24 ESV

16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. 19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put 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 ESV

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And 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