The Authority and Power of Christ

The Authority and Power of Christ

Today, I read this description of first century Christianity as detailed in the Book of Acts.

“Acts is a record of practicing Christianity under the power of the Holy Spirit. It teaches believers how to live together in meaningful Christian fellowship, sharing freely with one another. Conversely Acts also shows that Christians inevitably will have disagreements, but that God gives wisdom and grace to settle differences. Even though the early church had its share of strong personalities, there was still a willingness to listen and submit to one another. Probably the most prominent characteristic of the early Christians was their spiritual power. They fasted and prayed fervently and their faith released the miracle working power of God. Acts is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Signs followed those who believed!” NKJV Study Bible.

Just wondering if we can still learn a thing or two from them?

First we need to understand our authority in Jesus – something rarely taught. Jesus authority is probably first mentioned in Genesis 1:1 As the Son of God, and with the Holy Spirit, He has the same authority and power that God the Father used when He created everything – and, incredibly, Jesus passed that same power and authority on to us!! Is that not amazing?

Next, having once understood our authority, we need to practice our authority in Jesus.  Matthew 28:18-19 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” In this very short passage, Jesus send us out with His own authority and in His own Name. We have the authority of Christ, the mind of Christ, and the power of Christ through Holy Spirit a;; at our disposal. No wonder Paul says we are “more than conquerors”. We should be a rampaging unstoppable force.

As if this were not enough, we are told that wisdom and discernment are our weapons too. James 1 5-7 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;”

Yes – all we need is faith; belief in that which we do not see (Hebrews 11:1) With faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains. That is what Jesus told us. Is God a liar? Does He promise and not deliver?

Oh Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

Is this not what the first church was like? Is this not the power in which they moved? Were these things taken away from us when the last of the apostles died?

If the church today walked in the same faith, authority, and power as the first church . . . . . Can you even begin to imagine the difference?