Topical Bible: The Power of Christ: Exhibited in Enabling Others to Work Miracles

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The New Testament provides numerous accounts of Jesus Christ empowering His followers to perform miracles, demonstrating His divine authority and the continuation of His work through His disciples. This empowerment is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the active presence of the Holy Spirit in the early Church.

Empowerment of the Disciples

One of the clearest examples of Christ enabling others to work miracles is found in the commissioning of the twelve apostles. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus grants them authority over unclean spirits and the ability to heal every disease and sickness: "Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness" (Matthew 10:1). This empowerment was not limited to the apostles alone but extended to other followers, as seen in the sending of the seventy-two in Luke 10: "He sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit" (Luke 10:1).

The Role of Faith

The power to perform miracles is closely linked to faith in Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus assures His followers that faith in Him will enable them to do even greater works: "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12). This promise underscores the importance of faith as a conduit for divine power, allowing believers to participate in the miraculous.

The Day of Pentecost

The events of Pentecost further illustrate the power of Christ working through His followers. As recorded in the Book of Acts, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in various tongues and perform signs and wonders: "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:4). This outpouring of the Spirit marked the beginning of the apostles' public ministry and the spread of the Gospel with accompanying miracles.

Miracles in the Early Church

The Acts of the Apostles provides numerous accounts of miracles performed by the early Christians, affirming the continued presence of Christ's power. Peter and John, for instance, healed a lame man at the temple gate, leading to widespread amazement and the conversion of many: "Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!'" (Acts 3:6). Similarly, the apostle Paul performed many miracles, including the healing of the sick and the raising of the dead, as seen in Acts 20:9-12.

The Purpose of Miracles

The miracles performed by Christ's followers served multiple purposes. They confirmed the truth of the Gospel message, demonstrated the compassion and power of God, and provided tangible evidence of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world. These acts of divine intervention were not ends in themselves but pointed to the greater reality of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

The power of Christ, as exhibited in enabling others to work miracles, is a profound testament to His divine authority and the active work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Through faith and obedience, the early Church was able to continue the mission of Christ, bearing witness to His resurrection and the transformative power of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 10:1
And when he had called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 16:17,18
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
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Luke 10:17
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name.
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Library

Sight Given to the Blind.
... a field in which the works of God may be exhibited. ... It was this feeling that imparted
to Christ so intense and ... to the world; but it is in our power to turn off ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xx sight given to the.htm

Luther's Separation from Rome.
... relics, which on certain holy days were exhibited to the ... was to be put upon the arrogant
power which denied ... Why were Christ and all the martyrs put to death? ...
/.../7 luthers separation from rome.htm

Luther's Separation from Rome
... relics, which on certain holy days were exhibited to the ... was to be put upon the arrogant
power which denied ... Why were Christ and all the martyrs put to death? ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 7 luthers separation from.htm

The First Galilean Ministry.
... the scroll which Jesus unrolled may have exhibited in close ... [2206] Amidst such ministry
of quiet power,' chiefly alone ... the same as that in the time of Christ. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first galilean.htm

Acts II
... Having exhibited, in the quotation from David, "the determined ... minds in reference
to Jesus Christ, neither did ... conclusively, that there was no power in the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ii.htm

Heaven's Nurse Children
... but a long series of miracles was exhibited before their ... that, like the young church
of Christ in the ... wind, and cloven tongues, and miraculous power, they were ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/heavens nurse children.htm

Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It.
... of the body and blood of the Lord, as exhibited to believers ... of the Supper, in which
God exerts a special power. ... been raised as to the flesh of Christ, and the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 of the lords.htm

His Missionary Travels
... blazed forth with a splendor it has never exhibited elsewhere ... Was the soldier of
Christ going to be driven off ... and proving that the gospel was the power of God ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter vi his missionary travels.htm

Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will, and Miserably Enslaved.
... darkness, he declares them void of all power of spiritual ... that though his image is
so plainly exhibited, we have ... Did not Christ descend into the world that he ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 man now deprived.htm

Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties.
... they properly look, since he is exhibited to their ... is manifested, still their reality
and power are never ... without controversy, God loves no man out of Christ. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 of faith the.htm