The power given to believers by Jesus Christ is recorded in Matthew 28:18–20 as ‘ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH’, but Mark 16:16–18 gives a graphic portrayal of what the “all power” in Matthew’s Gospel speaks of.
The power given to believers by Jesus Christ is related to:
a) The spiritual kingdom, for “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16).
b) The Eternal Kingdom, for “he that believeth not shall be damned
(Mark 16:16)
c) The Satanic Kingdom, for they shall “cast out devils” (Maık 16:17).
d) The Universal Kingdom, for “they shall speak with new Tongues (Maik 16:17).
e) The Animal Kingdom, for “they shall take up serpents” (Mark 16:18).
f) The Mineral Kingdom, for “If they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them” (Mark 16:18)
g) The human Kingdom, for “they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18).
This demonstrates for us the power that was given to Christ, which He gave to the church [his body] to carry out His ministry on earth.
Mark 16:16-18
Mark gives a graphic portrayal of what “all power” in Matthew’s Gospel means. This demonstrates for us the power that was given to Christ, which He gave to the church to carry out His ministry on earth. What a wealth of
power God has placed in the hands of His people.
Some would rob us of the power of God by asserting that his section in Mark is not part of the original manuscript, all one has to do is turn to the Book of Acts for a dramatic
the portrayal of all that is suggested in these passages said, Go ye, therefore, and teach (disciple, matheteuo) all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
This is the first command given to the church. Mark says we are to Go… Into the entire world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The thoughts contained in these verses indicate that we have to preach the gospel with the intent of making disciples. Our function as a Church is not merely to get people saved. God is not interested in a group of frail spiritual babies, even though we all must begin there. He is not interested in a body of believers that spends most of their Christian lives backsliding and rededicating themselves.
He wants disciples who are willing to lay down everything, pick up their crosses, and follow Him. For this to happen, we must know the cost of discipleship in our teaching and preaching of the gospel, but we must give everyone the opportunity to count the cost before starting to build.
Jesus told us to baptize “them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19).
This is how a local church is founded. People in a given area who receive Christ and are identified with His name in water baptism join together in their common interest. Identification with Christ is the foundation of the local church. We note that it is a command to baptize. It is not put forth as an option. All those who have truly laid down their lives will want to be obedient to every command of the gospel.
Jesus told us to teach (instruct in a doctrine, didasko) “them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20).
God is not interested in just getting people saved. If all we do is evangelize the world, we have not fulfilled the Great Commission. Why does God want us to teach Christian doctrine to all nations? Because He wants a glorious Church
without spots or wrinkles (Eph. 1:12-13).
He wants us all to come to the unity of the faith. We cannot fulfill this command with just a mission, a tract, or a radio message. For this commission to be fulfilled, there must be a planting of local churches that have taken seriously the command of Christ. There must be a place where the new plants can be nourished and watered. Newborn babies in Christ must have a home in which they can be fed and established in the faith (Psalm 66:6). Just as the local synagogue was a place of learning and instructing in the Word of God.
The church is to teach all things commanded by Christ. The mission of the church goes well beyond evangelism. The church is to teach the commandments and doctrines of Christ.
The power of a believer is in His ever-abiding presence till the end of the world.
Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt 28:20). Apart from this, we would have no chance of fulfilling what Jesus has commanded. As we stand “in Christ,” we are able to boldly say with Paul, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:6). It is the presence of Christ “in the midst” that makes the church a place of power and authority (Matt. 18:20).
He has promised to be present with power in the midst of praising people (Psalm 22:3), to attend the ministry, and to manifest supernatural confirmation of the gospel (Mark 16:20). It is the presence of the Lord that gives power to the gospel. The power of His presence is promised until the end of the world. This means that this power is for us as well as for the early Church. What effect can the Church of today have if it is not empowered by the Presence of the Lord? We must go as the disciples or go not at all. As the disciples received the command and went forth the Lord was working in them, “confirming the Word with signs following” (Mark 16:20). Jesus was “received up into heaven,’ and sat on the right hand of God” (Mak16:19).
Jesus is the Risen Head of the Church, which is His Body.
Jesus takes his place as the Risen Head of the Church, which is His Body. As He ascended and was exalted He was able to be sent the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit to direct and administer the Churches, which were created by the proclamation of the Great Commission.
Christ is the Head and the ultimate authority in the Body of Christ – the church. Nowhere is this authority given to any man, any counsel, or any organization of men and angels? The authority is given to the place where Christ is present (Matt. 18:20). It is given to the Lord’s Church and is committed to faithful men in Local congregations who maintain direct contact with the Holy Spirit and will give account directly to the lord Jesus and not to some ecclesiastical authority.