The Authority Starting Point: Luke 4:31-32
“31) And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; 32) and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.” Luke 4:31-32
We are now introduced to the authority of Jesus Christ. His teaching was with authority. (See Matthew 7:28-29) From this point forward, everything in His ministry was based on authority.
He taught with authority. He cast out unclean spirits with authority. He healed with authority. He performed many signs and wonders with authority.
Soon, both Matthew and Luke connected authority and power to the overall ministry of Jesus Christ. (See Luke 4:36) This comes out strongly as you read Matthew 8-9 in context. You will discover that Jesus had authority over sickness, diseases, demons, death, the wind, waves, storms, water, multiplying food and His ability to forgive sin.
The story of His authority and power expanded as His ministry increased and gained momentum. Take a highlighter and mark every time the words “authority” and “power” appear in the next several chapters of both Matthew and Luke. God is trying to tell us something!
This was the distinguishing characteristic of the ministry of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of the Kingdom. It was accompanied by miraculous signs and wonders. But that’s not the end of the story.
Then in Mathew 10:1, Jesus called the twelve and gave them this same authority. Take special note of what He told them in Matthew 10:7-8; ““7) And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” For years I subconsciously skipped over those verses.
Then in Luke 10:1-20, He appointed 70 others and gave them the same authority and power in His Name. As they ministered in His Name, they had the same results.
Frankly, this bothered me because my church tradition and theological background was powerless. Over time, I came to a biblical crisis. Something was wrong. Something was missing. None of these things were happening in my ministry or Christian circles.
Fortunately, I came to the realization that the problem was within me and not with God. The more I studied the Bible, the more it screamed at me that the early church operated with authority and power. It was connected to both the Name of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8)
Paul taught extensively on this theme in his writings. Don’t take my word on this matter, take time and study texts like Galatians 3:2-5; 1 Corinthians 2; Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21, and 2 Peter 1:2-4) Caution: you may experience a “crisis of faith” or the realization of your own “pathetic lack of faith!”
Over time, I began to discover the root problem. The western church has been indoctrinated with the secular philosophies of naturalism. As you read the book, “Return of the God Hypothesis” by Stephen Meyer, the mask comes off and the hypnosis of the western church becomes obvious.
We say we believe in God but we deny His power. We reject the biblical premise of “supernaturalism” and grasp instead for a “natural” answer for everything. The end result is the rational but extremely unbiblical notion that “God does not do miracles today!”
The exposing of my root problem and the renewing of my mind has taken decades. I’m actually ashamed to admit my own deep seated unbelief in God’s power that consumed my early years in ministry. Thousands of hours studying the Scriptures and ministering on the front lines of missions around the world has transformed me into a radically different man.
I am now a biblically convinced supernaturalist who believes in the authority of Jesus Christ and lives and operates in the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. I am not an Evangelical, Pentecostal or Charismatic. Actually, I don’t like those terms because I see strengths and weaknesses in every camp.
I am a Bible believing, Father revering, Jesus glorifying and Holy Spirit filled follower of Jesus Christ. I live and surf on the wake of the Supernatural. I have a very small view of myself but a very big view of God! I have growing faith that God “is” and that He “can” and “does” do everything the Bible teaches about Him.
I also accept the premise that if there is a disconnect between my faith experience and the promises of Gods Word, the problem is within me and not with God! My faith is growing, my biblical theology is deepening, my learning curve is expanding and my love for Jesus Christ is going off the charts.
So what does this have to do with Luke 4:31-32? Wrestling with the existence of God, identity and authority of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit is a necessary and progressive journey of faith. Don’t let anyone or anything stop your progress!
Enjoy the journey. The same man who wrote the Gospel of Luke also wrote the book of Acts! His chronological journey of faith into the mysteries and power of God was amazing. God wants every one of us to embark on this same journey in our deepening relationship with Jesus Christ and ever increasing faith!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“31) And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; 32) and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.” Luke 4:31-32
We are now introduced to the authority of Jesus Christ. His teaching was with authority. (See Matthew 7:28-29) From this point forward, everything in His ministry was based on authority.
He taught with authority. He cast out unclean spirits with authority. He healed with authority. He performed many signs and wonders with authority.
Soon, both Matthew and Luke connected authority and power to the overall ministry of Jesus Christ. (See Luke 4:36) This comes out strongly as you read Matthew 8-9 in context. You will discover that Jesus had authority over sickness, diseases, demons, death, the wind, waves, storms, water, multiplying food and His ability to forgive sin.
The story of His authority and power expanded as His ministry increased and gained momentum. Take a highlighter and mark every time the words “authority” and “power” appear in the next several chapters of both Matthew and Luke. God is trying to tell us something!
This was the distinguishing characteristic of the ministry of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of the Kingdom. It was accompanied by miraculous signs and wonders. But that’s not the end of the story.
Then in Mathew 10:1, Jesus called the twelve and gave them this same authority. Take special note of what He told them in Matthew 10:7-8; ““7) And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” For years I subconsciously skipped over those verses.
Then in Luke 10:1-20, He appointed 70 others and gave them the same authority and power in His Name. As they ministered in His Name, they had the same results.
Frankly, this bothered me because my church tradition and theological background was powerless. Over time, I came to a biblical crisis. Something was wrong. Something was missing. None of these things were happening in my ministry or Christian circles.
Fortunately, I came to the realization that the problem was within me and not with God. The more I studied the Bible, the more it screamed at me that the early church operated with authority and power. It was connected to both the Name of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8)
Paul taught extensively on this theme in his writings. Don’t take my word on this matter, take time and study texts like Galatians 3:2-5; 1 Corinthians 2; Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21, and 2 Peter 1:2-4) Caution: you may experience a “crisis of faith” or the realization of your own “pathetic lack of faith!”
Over time, I began to discover the root problem. The western church has been indoctrinated with the secular philosophies of naturalism. As you read the book, “Return of the God Hypothesis” by Stephen Meyer, the mask comes off and the hypnosis of the western church becomes obvious.
We say we believe in God but we deny His power. We reject the biblical premise of “supernaturalism” and grasp instead for a “natural” answer for everything. The end result is the rational but extremely unbiblical notion that “God does not do miracles today!”
The exposing of my root problem and the renewing of my mind has taken decades. I’m actually ashamed to admit my own deep seated unbelief in God’s power that consumed my early years in ministry. Thousands of hours studying the Scriptures and ministering on the front lines of missions around the world has transformed me into a radically different man.
I am now a biblically convinced supernaturalist who believes in the authority of Jesus Christ and lives and operates in the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. I am not an Evangelical, Pentecostal or Charismatic. Actually, I don’t like those terms because I see strengths and weaknesses in every camp.
I am a Bible believing, Father revering, Jesus glorifying and Holy Spirit filled follower of Jesus Christ. I live and surf on the wake of the Supernatural. I have a very small view of myself but a very big view of God! I have growing faith that God “is” and that He “can” and “does” do everything the Bible teaches about Him.
I also accept the premise that if there is a disconnect between my faith experience and the promises of Gods Word, the problem is within me and not with God! My faith is growing, my biblical theology is deepening, my learning curve is expanding and my love for Jesus Christ is going off the charts.
So what does this have to do with Luke 4:31-32? Wrestling with the existence of God, identity and authority of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit is a necessary and progressive journey of faith. Don’t let anyone or anything stop your progress!
Enjoy the journey. The same man who wrote the Gospel of Luke also wrote the book of Acts! His chronological journey of faith into the mysteries and power of God was amazing. God wants every one of us to embark on this same journey in our deepening relationship with Jesus Christ and ever increasing faith!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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