The Supernatural Ministry Given to the Disciples
Jesus Sends His Followers to Continue the Work
Introduction
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrated supernatural authority through healing, deliverance, miraculous provision, and even raising the dead. Yet His ministry was never meant to remain limited to Himself.
At several key moments, Jesus commissioned His followers to continue the work of the kingdom of God. He gave them authority over sickness and unclean spirits, sent them out to preach the message of the kingdom, and instructed them to minister to people in the same way they had seen Him minister.
These passages reveal that the supernatural ministry of Jesus was not only a demonstration of His identity, but also a model for the mission of His disciples. As they went from town to town, they proclaimed the message that the kingdom of heaven had come near.
The following passages record how Jesus entrusted His followers with this work.
Authority Given to the Twelve
The Twelve Given Authority
Matthew 10:1–8 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 6:7–13; Luke 9:1–6
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
The Twelve Sent Out
Luke 9:1–6 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 10:1–15; Mark 6:7–13
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
The Seventy Sent
The Seventy Sent Out
Luke 10:1–20 (KJV)
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me.
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Signs Following the Message of the Gospel
Signs Following Believers
Mark 16:15–18 (KJV)
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe;
In my name shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Signs Confirming the Word
Mark 16:20 (KJV)
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Greater Works Promised
Greater Works Than These
John 14:12 (KJV)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Closing Reflection
As the earthly ministry of Jesus drew to a close, the work of the kingdom did not end. Instead, Jesus entrusted that mission to His followers.
Throughout the Gospels, the disciples watched as Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, multiplied food, and spoke with authority over both the physical and spiritual world. Yet these miracles were not meant to remain confined to His own ministry. Jesus sent His disciples out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to minister to people with the same authority He had demonstrated.
The sending of the Twelve and later the Seventy revealed that the message of the kingdom would spread through ordinary men and women empowered by God. After His resurrection, Jesus expanded this commission even further, calling His followers to carry the gospel to the whole world.
The promise of signs accompanying the message of the gospel and the promise of “greater works” both point forward to the continuing work of God through His people.
In the final article of this series, we will step back and consider what the supernatural ministry of Jesus reveals about His identity, His mission, and the nature of the kingdom of God.
Next in the series:
Conclusion — What the Supernatural Ministry of Jesus Reveals (KJV)
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