Authority of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s authority underlines his divine status

John 8:28 NRSV

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed 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 NRSV

The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in 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 NRSV

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 NRSV

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.” He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to 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 NRSV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,

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 NRSV

Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught 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 NRSV

The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all 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 NRSV

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

He is feared

Luke 8:37 NRSV

Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.

His disciples are opposed

Acts 16:16–24 NRSV

One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.” She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell 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 NRSV

for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself 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