What Authority Did Jesus Give the Twelve?
The question of what authority Jesus gave the twelve apostles is one of the most important themes in the New Testament. According to the Gospels, Jesus did not only call His disciples to follow Him—He also empowered them with divine authority to continue His mission on earth. This authority included spiritual power, teaching responsibility, and the ability to perform miracles in His name.
Understanding this authority helps explain how the early Christian movement spread so rapidly and why the apostles were able to perform extraordinary acts recorded in Scripture.
1. Authority to Preach the Kingdom of God
One of the first and most significant authorities Jesus gave the twelve was the authority to preach the message of the Kingdom of God.
What this included:
- Proclaiming repentance for the forgiveness of sins
- Teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven
- Calling people to faith in God
- Spreading Jesus’ message across towns and villages
Jesus sent them out in pairs, instructing them to preach not their own ideas but the message He had given them.
Key idea:
The apostles became official messengers of Christ’s gospel, carrying His teachings with divine permission.
2. Authority Over Demons and Evil Spirits
Jesus also gave the twelve authority over unclean spirits, allowing them to cast out demons.
This included:
- Driving out evil spirits from possessed individuals
- Freeing people from spiritual oppression
- Demonstrating the power of God’s Kingdom over darkness
This authority was a clear sign that the Kingdom of God had arrived through Jesus’ ministry.
Important note:
The apostles did not use their own power—it was authority delegated by Jesus Himself.
3. Authority to Heal the Sick
Another major authority given to the twelve was the ability to heal sickness and disease.
Healing powers included:
- Restoring sight to the blind
- Healing lepers
- Making the lame walk again
- Curing various diseases and physical suffering
This healing ministry showed that Jesus’ message was not only spiritual but also brought restoration to human life.
Purpose of healing:
- To confirm the truth of their message
- To show compassion to suffering people
- To demonstrate God’s power through them
4. Authority to Perform Miracles
Beyond healing and casting out demons, the apostles were also given the authority to perform miracles.
Examples include:
- Raising the dead (as later seen in Acts)
- Multiplying acts of divine power
- Signs and wonders confirming their mission
These miracles were not for personal glory but to confirm the divine authority behind their message.
5. Authority to Proclaim Judgment and Forgiveness
Jesus also gave His apostles authority related to spiritual judgment and forgiveness.
This authority involved:
- Declaring forgiveness of sins in His name
- Warning cities or people who rejected the gospel
- Shaking off the dust from their feet as a testimony against unbelief
This symbolic action showed that rejecting the apostles’ message was the same as rejecting Christ Himself.
6. Authority to Lead and Build the Early Church
The twelve apostles were not only traveling preachers—they became foundational leaders of the early Church.
Their leadership role included:
- Establishing Christian communities
- Teaching believers the words of Jesus
- Setting spiritual foundations for future generations
- Guiding new believers in faith and practice
Jesus gave them a unique leadership role that became the basis of Christian expansion.
7. Authority “To Bind and Loose”
In the Gospels, Jesus gives the apostles authority often described as “binding and loosing.”
Meaning of this authority:
- To declare what is permitted or forbidden in spiritual matters
- To interpret Jesus’ teachings under divine guidance
- To make decisions regarding church discipline and order
This authority symbolized their responsibility to guide the moral and spiritual direction of believers.
8. Authority Given Without Personal Wealth or Power
Interestingly, Jesus gave this authority with strict instructions about humility.
He commanded them:
- Not to take excessive money or possessions
- Not to rely on human security
- To depend fully on God’s provision
- To travel simply and trust in hospitality
This shows that spiritual authority was connected to humility and dependence on God.
9. Authority to Represent Jesus Himself
Perhaps the most important authority was that the twelve acted as representatives of Jesus.
This meant:
- Speaking in His name
- Acting as His messengers
- Continuing His mission after His departure
- Showing His character through their actions
Jesus told them that whoever accepted them was accepting Him, and whoever rejected them was rejecting Him.
10. Why This Authority Was Important
The authority given to the twelve apostles had a powerful impact on history.
Key outcomes:
- Rapid spread of Christianity across regions
- Establishment of the early Church
- Confirmation of Jesus’ resurrection through miracles
- Transformation of ordinary men into spiritual leaders
Without this authority, the apostles could not have carried forward Jesus’ mission.
Conclusion
Jesus gave the twelve apostles extraordinary authority that included preaching the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, casting out demons, performing miracles, and leading the early Church. This authority was not based on human strength but on divine commissioning. It demonstrated that Jesus’ mission would continue through His chosen followers.
Their role shows that God can empower ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes when they are called and sent in His name.