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NASB | Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 28:18 Jesus came up and said to them, "All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. |
Subject: Does Matt 28: 18 infer to do what Europe |
Bible Note: Jesusman, Can I get clarification from something you wrote? In your previous post you wrote: "Now .. notice he didn't give them any "authority" .. just "power". He told them what to do. Go and teach, and he gave them the ability to do so." My understanding is that when Christ commissioned the disciples it was in fact with "authority" that He did so. It's not possible to separate out the authority by which He gave from the authority by which they proceded. Otherwise, it would be by their (and our) own authority that the good news was/is preached. Your reference to Acts was a good one. It shows in fact that it is the Holy Spirit from whom the "power" is received. The Scripture is clear that the "authority" was and is given and from Christ who had received in Heaven and on earth from the Father. It's the reason why Christ clearly established that the "authority" was the foundation for going out. "Go therefore..." vs. 19. Therefore referring back to "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" vs 18. As I understand it, the disciples were absolutely given the authority to go out and as we see from the appropriately referenced passage in Acts, it is the "power" given by the Holy Spirit that enabled them (and us) to do so. So the disciples were sent out with the authority given by Christ and accomplished their work through the power given by the Holy Spirit. You wrote that He gave them the "...ability to accomplish what He wants them to." My point is that the ability was a result of having been given both the authority and the power. Illustration: When I was a soldier I was sent on countless missions. In each case, as with the disciples, I was given clear orders. In each case I went out (by virtue of my orders) with the authority of my government and my commanders. I was able to accomplish those missions as a result of the training and equipment (power if you will) I had also been provided with. Mine was simply to be obedient in fulfilling my mission. The authority and power had been given. Was this helpful? Jeff |