R.C. Sproul

And there are different words for power in the New Testament, but one of the words that is translated by the English word power is the one I just read here, which is also frequently translated by the word authority. It's the word exousia. which etymologically, if you tear the word apart, it means literally out of substance, out of being.

And there are different words for power in the New Testament, but one of the words that is translated by the English word power is the one I just read here, which is also frequently translated by the word authority. It's the word exousia. which etymologically, if you tear the word apart, it means literally out of substance, out of being.

You know, a lot of people give directives that have no substance behind it whatsoever. The directives are frivolous and are based on nothing substantial. But the word exousia, out of being, out of substance, is the word that became used here in the Greek to refer to that which possessed both authority and power.

You know, a lot of people give directives that have no substance behind it whatsoever. The directives are frivolous and are based on nothing substantial. But the word exousia, out of being, out of substance, is the word that became used here in the Greek to refer to that which possessed both authority and power.

And so maybe we could translate that word this way by saying exousia means not just any kind of authority, but a powerful authority. Or we could also turn it around and say that it's not just any kind of power, but it is an authoritative power. Now that's what Jesus bestows upon the 12th. He gave them exousia. And I prefer the translation authority rather than power.

And so maybe we could translate that word this way by saying exousia means not just any kind of authority, but a powerful authority. Or we could also turn it around and say that it's not just any kind of power, but it is an authoritative power. Now that's what Jesus bestows upon the 12th. He gave them exousia. And I prefer the translation authority rather than power.

I'm supposing that the reason why my translator here selected the word power over authority is because of the context. The context here in my text says he gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out. and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

I'm supposing that the reason why my translator here selected the word power over authority is because of the context. The context here in my text says he gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out. and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

In order to heal every sickness and disease imaginable like we've seen Jesus do already in his ministry requires a power that you and I do not possess. It's a supernal power. It is a heavenly power. And it's a power that belongs ultimately to God again alone.

In order to heal every sickness and disease imaginable like we've seen Jesus do already in his ministry requires a power that you and I do not possess. It's a supernal power. It is a heavenly power. And it's a power that belongs ultimately to God again alone.

But now this power that Jesus had manifested to raise people from the dead, to cure lepers, to heal people of all kinds of diseases and infirmities, he's now bestowing that power on the 12th. But then, so then why do I prefer authority? Well, for this reason, two reasons. One, because in this passage, It tells us that Jesus gave them power over unclean spirits.

But now this power that Jesus had manifested to raise people from the dead, to cure lepers, to heal people of all kinds of diseases and infirmities, he's now bestowing that power on the 12th. But then, so then why do I prefer authority? Well, for this reason, two reasons. One, because in this passage, It tells us that Jesus gave them power over unclean spirits.

But the power that he gave them over unclean spirits was the authority to require them to leave the hosts that they were tormenting. They could drive out demons because they had the authority. That was what was the necessary power to get rid of the demons. It had to have divine authority to do it.

But the power that he gave them over unclean spirits was the authority to require them to leave the hosts that they were tormenting. They could drive out demons because they had the authority. That was what was the necessary power to get rid of the demons. It had to have divine authority to do it.

And so since we're talking here not only about healing diseases, but also about casting out demons, I prefer the use of the term authority over power. But there's a second reason. It's an even more compelling one for me. And that is, though this text tells us that in the commissioning of the apostles, Jesus delegated authority and power over demons and over disease.

And so since we're talking here not only about healing diseases, but also about casting out demons, I prefer the use of the term authority over power. But there's a second reason. It's an even more compelling one for me. And that is, though this text tells us that in the commissioning of the apostles, Jesus delegated authority and power over demons and over disease.

That was by no means the extent of authority that Jesus gave them. Nor in my judgment is that the most important authority that he gave to them. I believe the most important authority that he bestowed upon his apostles was the authority of his word.

That was by no means the extent of authority that Jesus gave them. Nor in my judgment is that the most important authority that he gave to them. I believe the most important authority that he bestowed upon his apostles was the authority of his word.

If you have a bulletin in front of you and you look at the cover that you see every Sunday morning, you see the name of our chapel, you see the little cross, the Celtic cross there, which is adorned by several Latin phrases in white. On the left bottom, you have the words sola scriptura, These sayings embodied on the cross are the solas of the Protestant Reformation.

If you have a bulletin in front of you and you look at the cover that you see every Sunday morning, you see the name of our chapel, you see the little cross, the Celtic cross there, which is adorned by several Latin phrases in white. On the left bottom, you have the words sola scriptura, These sayings embodied on the cross are the solas of the Protestant Reformation.