Topical Bible: The Power of Christ: Ministers should Make Known

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The power of Christ is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing His divine authority, miraculous works, and transformative influence on believers. Ministers of the Gospel are called to proclaim and make known this power, as it is foundational to the Christian faith and essential for the spiritual growth and edification of the Church.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament is replete with references to the power of Christ, which ministers are tasked to declare. In the Great Commission, Jesus Himself asserts His authority: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me" (Matthew 28:18). This authority underpins the mission of the Church and the message that ministers are to convey.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently emphasizes the power of Christ. In Ephesians 1:19-20, Paul speaks of "the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe," which is "like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead." This passage highlights the resurrection as the ultimate demonstration of Christ's power, a cornerstone of the Gospel message.

Miraculous Works

The Gospels document numerous miracles performed by Christ, each a testament to His divine power. From healing the sick (Matthew 8:16) to calming the storm (Mark 4:39), these acts reveal His authority over both the natural and supernatural realms. Ministers are to recount these miracles, not merely as historical events, but as manifestations of Christ's ongoing power in the lives of believers today.

Transformative Influence

The power of Christ is not limited to physical miracles; it extends to the spiritual transformation of individuals. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul declares, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This transformative power is central to the Christian experience, and ministers are to encourage believers to live in the reality of this new creation.

Empowerment for Ministry

Christ's power is also imparted to His followers for the purpose of ministry. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This empowerment is crucial for the effective proclamation of the Gospel and the advancement of God's kingdom.

The Role of Ministers

Ministers are entrusted with the responsibility of making known the power of Christ through preaching, teaching, and personal example. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, reflects on his own ministry, stating, "My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith would not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." This underscores the importance of relying on Christ's power rather than human eloquence or wisdom.

Encouragement and Hope

The power of Christ offers believers encouragement and hope, particularly in times of trial and suffering. In Philippians 4:13, Paul affirms, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Ministers are to remind their congregations of this truth, encouraging them to depend on Christ's power in every circumstance.

In summary, the power of Christ is a multifaceted concept that encompasses His authority, miraculous works, transformative influence, and empowerment for ministry. Ministers are called to faithfully proclaim this power, ensuring that it remains a vibrant and central aspect of the Christian faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 1:16
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Consecrated Ministry
... the Great Teacher, learn daily in the school of Christ. The power at God's command
is limitless, and the ... all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 34 a consecrated ministry.htm

The Unity of Revelation. 1 "Known unto God are all his Works from ...
... must we interpret the words of Christ recorded by ... apostles is part of the general
power of binding ... here and eternal life hereafter, God's ministers can only ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvi the unity of.htm

Laymen Called to the Field of Missions.
... Holy Ghost was poured out with such power, that three ... by holding up the hands of
Christ's ministers, and by ... the inquiry arises, In what way should laymen go ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter v laymen called to.htm

Christ the Support of the Tempted
... the ignorant, and esteemed to be the true ministers of Jesus ... language will make you
leave your sins and come to Christ? ... And that it lay in my power to give you ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the support of the.htm

Directions How to Hear Sermons
... voice with their outward ears, but do not experience the power of it ... And if we looked
on ministers as we ought, as the sent of Jesus Christ, we should ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/directions how to hear sermons.htm

Salvation to the Jews
... God." "The gospel," he declared, "is the power of God ... fullness to the Jews, many
will accept Christ as the ... Among Christian ministers there are only a few who ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm

The Ministry of the New Covenant
... of holiness, of personal devotion to Christ, of enthusiasm ... in the heart, maintaining,
in Divine power, an unceasing ... The ministers are dependent on the Church. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter xvi the ministry of.htm

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
... on by other godly, discerning persons and ministers, as good ... justice for us, nor
have they any power over our ... the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter iii how christ is.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... but you do not admire that which evangelical ministers have adopted ... may we convince
gainsayers that there is a power in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and make ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

Christ --The Power and Wisdom of God
... the church of God should be alive at all, after the unfaithfulness of her members,
her ministers, and her ... If you want not this power of Christ, and this ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/christthe power and wisdom of.htm