Authority of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s authority underlines his divine status

John 8:28 CSB

28 So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own. But just as the Father taught me, I say these things.

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 CSB

35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hands.

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 CSB

40 But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, 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 CSB

24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 If I drive 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 CSB

18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the 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 CSB

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like 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 CSB

22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone 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 CSB

14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might kill him.

He is feared

Luke 8:37 CSB

37 Then all the people of the Gerasene region asked him to leave them, because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, he returned.

His disciples are opposed

Acts 16:16–24 CSB

16 Once, as we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 As she followed Paul and us she cried out, “These men, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation, are the servants of the Most High God.” 18 She did this for many days. Paul was greatly annoyed. Turning to the spirit, he said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out right away. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews 21 and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had severely flogged them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully. 24 Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured 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 CSB

16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and by 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