“(29) Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30
When Jesus was on the earth, He demonstrated how to minister the anointing to His disciples. One way that we observe Jesus in His ministry was commanding God’s will to be done with the words of His mouth. For example, Jesus told the sick to be healed, the dead to rise up, devils to come out, and a storm to cease. Jesus then authorized His followers to operate as His representatives, using His name to do God’s purpose.
Then Jesus left the earth, commissioning his followers to carry on with His work. The purpose in His leaving was to be able to send the Holy Spirit to the church so that we could have the power necessary to fulfill their mission.
Shortly after the Spirit was sent to baptize believers in power, we see two of Jesus’ disciples, Peter and John, using the authority that Christ had given them. In Acts 3:6 Peter commands a lame man to rise up and walk in the name of Jesus. Peter did his part and the Holy Spirit did His part. The lame man was glad to be healed, leaping as he went into the temple and praising God.
There are many other New Testament examples of Christians, like you and I, ministering under the anointing of the Holy Spirit by operating in the authority given to us in Christ. The authority that we have been given is not our own; we represent Christ. The power that we have been given is not our own; it is the power of the Holy Spirit. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing; however, when our aim is to carry out His mission, we have all we need to do the works that Jesus did, and greater.
Application: Is there something that you have been praying about, but you’ve haven’t seen any results? It could be that God is putting the ball in your court, expecting you to do something with the authority He has given to you. His power will back up the authority He has given to you when you follow His purpose and command His will to be done.