Authority is one of the benefits that relationship with Jesus Christ and commissioning by him gives to his people.  Authority is the right to do something. In Acts 3, Peter had the right to invoke the name of Jesus Christ in order to bring healing to the lame man. Peter was an apostle or “sent one” whom Christ directly commissioned to ministry. As an apostle, Peter was delegated authority by Jesus Christ to minister effectively. Matthew 10:1 tells us that “when [Jesus] had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them [authority] over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” God also delegates to us the authority or the right to do all kinds of things for the advance of his kingdom.

• He has given us authority to act as stewards over the earth.
• He has given us authority to preach the Gospel.
• He has given us authority to dedicate our lives to him.
• He has given us authority to submit to God and resist the enemy.
• He has given us authority to pronounce blessings.
• He has given us the authority to flow in Spiritual Gifts.
• He has given us authority to cast out demons and
• He has given us authority to minister healing to the sick.

In essence, God has given us the authority to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ until his return. God not only gives us the authority to minister, but he also gives us the power to minister as well. Authority is the right to do something. Power is the ability to do it. Jesus promised his followers in Acts 1:8 that we would receive power after that Holy Spirit has come upon us. The power of the Holy Spirit is directly related to the authority delegated to us by Jesus Christ. In fact, it is the authority of Jesus Christ that allows the power of the Holy Spirit to operate through us in specific ways.

Therefore, we need to learn how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in order to be successful in ministry. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is simply to be controlled by him and guided by him. The Holy Spirit teaches us; he leads us; he strengthens us; and he empowers us. He also applies to us the full benefit of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we cannot properly operate in the authority of Jesus Christ without the help of the Holy Spirit.  Let us surrender to him today!

Blessings,
Wilfred Graves Jr.
www.wilfredgraves.org

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