The Ministry of Jesus: Power, Authority & the Great Commission

To understand the ministry Jesus calls us to continue, we first need to look at how He began His own ministry, what He taught, and the authority He gave His disciples.

The Scriptures show us that preaching repentance, healing the sick and casting out demons were central to His ministry.

These were not just works Jesus did Himself; He also empowered His disciples to carry them out in His name.

READ ON TO EXPLORE THE MINISTRY OF JESUS

Jesus' Baptism, Testing and the Beginning of His Ministry

Before beginning His public ministry, Jesus was baptised in water, received the Holy Spirit and was led into the wilderness, fasted for 40 days, tempted by Satan and overcame him. After this, He began preaching the Kingdom of God, calling people to repent and believe the Gospel.

Mark 1:9-15 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. 14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The Power of the Holy Ghost

Jesus promised His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Ghost came upon them. This power to witness and enable them to engage in spiritual warfare be and carry the Gospel throughout the world.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The Call to Preach Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins

Jesus instructed His followers to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations. This means calling people to turn away from sin, turn towards God and receive the forgiveness He offers through Jesus Christ.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus Gave His Disciples Power and Authority

Jesus did not keep this authority to Himself. He gave His twelve disciples, and later the seventy, power and authority over demons and sickness, sending them out to preach the Gospel and heal the sick.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Jesus, the Anointed One

Jesus was anointed by the Spirit of the Lord to begin his ministry that included preaching the Gospel, healing the brokenhearted, proclaiming deliverance to captives and setting the oppressed free.

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Understanding Spiritual Warfare

The Bible teaches that our battle is not against other people, but against spiritual powers of darkness. Paul encourages believers to be strong in the Lord and put on the full armour of God so they can stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Jesus' Ministry of Preaching, Healing and Deliverance

Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated the power of the Kingdom of God through preaching, healing the sick and casting out demons. The following Scriptures show examples of people being healed, delivered from evil spirits and restored through His authority. They also reveal the purpose of His coming: to destroy the works of the devil.

Matthew 4:23-25 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Luke 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

Mark 1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

The Great Commission: Continuing the Work of Jesus

Before ascending into Heaven, Jesus commissioned His followers to take the Gospel into the world. He instructed them to preach, make disciples, heal the sick and cast out demons in His name. The Scriptures below set out the work Jesus entrusted to those who believe and follow Him.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.