Jesus Called His Disciples and Gave Them Power
The calling of the disciples and the conferral of power upon them by Jesus is a central theme in the Gospels and a foundational moment for the Christian church. This act is not merely a historical detail but is rich with theological significance, revealing the nature of Jesus’ mission, the inauguration of the kingdom of God, and the means by which the gospel would be proclaimed to the world.
The Calling of the Disciples: Divine Initiative and Purpose
The Gospels present the calling of the disciples as an act of divine initiative. Jesus, after a night of prayer, summoned those whom he desired and appointed twelve to be with him and to be sent out (Mark 3:13-15; Luke 6:12-13). This calling was not based on human merit or social status but on Jesus’ sovereign choice. The disciples were called first and foremost to be with Jesus, to learn from him, and to witness his life, teaching, death, and resurrection. This relational aspect is foundational: “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons” (Mark 3:14-15).
The Old Testament provides a background for this act. Just as God called Moses, the prophets, and the judges, equipping them for their tasks (Exodus 3:10-12; Jeremiah 1:4-10), so Jesus calls and equips his disciples. The calling of the twelve also echoes the formation of Israel’s twelve tribes, signaling the reconstitution of the people of God around the Messiah (Matthew 19:28).
The Granting of Power: Nature and Scope
Upon calling the disciples, Jesus did not leave them as mere observers or passive followers. He actively conferred upon them power and authority. This is seen most explicitly in the commissioning narratives: “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” (Luke 9:1-2).
Matthew’s Gospel elaborates: “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 10:1).
The power Jesus gave was both spiritual and practical. It included authority over demonic forces, the ability to heal diseases, and the commission to proclaim the arrival of the kingdom of God. This authority was not inherent in the disciples themselves but was derived from Jesus, who possessed all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18).
Why Did Jesus Give His Disciples Power?
The purpose of this empowerment was twofold. First, it authenticated the message of the kingdom. The miracles and exorcisms performed by the disciples served as signs that the kingdom of God had broken into history through Jesus. As Jesus himself declared when questioned about his authority to forgive sins: “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the paralytic–‘I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home’" (Mark 2:10-11).
The miracles were not ends in themselves but pointed to the greater reality of salvation and the restoration of creation.
Second, the empowerment of the disciples was essential for the continuation and expansion of Jesus’ mission. After his ascension, the disciples would become witnesses “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8, ESV). Their authority to teach, heal, and cast out demons would validate their witness and establish the church on a firm foundation (Ephesians 2:19-20).
The Authority Given: Over What?
When Jesus called the twelve, he gave them authority specifically over unclean spirits and diseases. This authority is repeatedly emphasized in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke):
“He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 10:1).
“He began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7).
“He gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases” (Luke 9:1).
This authority was a direct extension of Jesus’ own ministry. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is portrayed as one who teaches with authority (Mark 1:22), commands unclean spirits (Mark 1:27), and heals the sick (Matthew 4:24). By granting his disciples similar authority, Jesus was multiplying his ministry and preparing them for their future role as apostles.
The Nature of Apostolic Authority
The authority given to the disciples was not merely functional but carried deep theological significance. It marked them as official representatives of Jesus, invested with his power to act in his name. This is seen in the language of “apostle,” which means “one who is sent.” Jesus’ words in the Great Commission make this explicit: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
The disciples’ authority was thus derivative and representative. They were to teach, baptize, and make disciples, acting as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).
The Power to Forgive Sins: John 20:23
A unique aspect of the authority given to the disciples is found in John 20:21-23, after Jesus’ resurrection: “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld’” (John 20:21-23).
This passage has been the subject of much theological discussion. It is important to note that the authority to forgive sins is not an independent or magical power vested in the apostles themselves. Rather, it is the authority to declare the forgiveness of sins on the basis of the gospel. The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, were entrusted with the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). When they proclaimed the gospel and people responded in faith and repentance, the apostles could declare with divine authority that their sins were forgiven. Conversely, those who rejected the message remained in their sins.
This authority is rooted in Jesus’ own ministry. When he healed the paralytic, he declared, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5), and the religious leaders questioned his authority to do so. Jesus demonstrated that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). By breathing the Holy Spirit on the disciples and commissioning them, Jesus was extending this authority to his church, to be exercised through the proclamation of the gospel.
The Old Testament Background: The Spirit and Empowerment
The empowerment of the disciples by Jesus finds its roots in the Old Testament pattern of God equipping his servants with the Spirit for specific tasks. The Spirit came upon judges, prophets, and kings to enable them to lead, prophesy, and deliver God’s people (Judges 3:10; 1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 61:1). The prophet Joel foretold a day when God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28-29), a promise fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
Jesus’ conferral of the Spirit and authority on the disciples is thus the fulfillment of Old Testament expectation and the inauguration of the new covenant era. The church, empowered by the Spirit, continues the mission of Jesus, bearing witness to his resurrection and the forgiveness of sins.
Conclusion - Jesus Called His Disciples and Gave Them Power
The calling of the disciples and the granting of power and authority to them by Jesus is a pivotal moment in redemptive history. It marks the formation of the new people of God, the extension of Jesus’ own ministry, and the foundation of the church’s mission. The authority given to the disciples encompassed power over demons and disease, the proclamation of the kingdom, and the declaration of forgiveness of sins through the gospel. This authority was not based on human merit but was a gift of grace, rooted in the person and work of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. As the apostles went forth, they bore witness to the risen Christ, and through their ministry, the world was turned upside down (Acts 17:6). The church today stands on this apostolic foundation, called to proclaim the same gospel and empowered by the same Spirit, until Christ returns.