The Power of Christ

"Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name ..." (Romans 1: 3-5 KJV)

These are stupendous and pregnant words of inspiration concerning the most illustrious person, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is styled in holy scripture as being both the "Son of God" and the "son of man." He was in his person both human and divine, both finite and infinite, both weak and omnipotent.

The proofs or evidences of Christ's Sonship and Messiahship were several, not the least of which are mentioned by the apostle Paul in the above words, referencing his power and his holiness.

Jesus was "declared" to be the "Son of God" by the manifestation of his "power." The power that Jesus possessed was an absolute proof of his Sonship and his divinity.

The gospel records of the life and ministry of Jesus give many accounts where the "power" of the God was manifested.

"Power" is generally divided into "strength" (or 'might') on the one hand, and into "authority" on the other. The Lord Jesus Christ possessed "ALL power," whether it be might or authority.

"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (I Corinthians 1: 23, 24 KJV)

Christ Jesus is the very "power of God"! No wonder he is called the "Almighty." (Revelation 1:8) He is Lord God, the omnipotent one. Yes, it is true that his divinity was often veiled, while he was here in the flesh, but yet the glory of his power, as the eternal Son of God, shone through that veil, when he manifested that power in miracle working.

Jesus showed his power over all worlds, and over all inferior powers. He demonstrated his power over nature, in manifold and wondrous healings of incurable diseases, yea, in even raising the dead on several occasions. He demonstrated his omnipotence in his power over nature, over the winds and seas, over every power of nature. It was also made apparent by his power over death itself, raising himself from bodily death by his own power.

"That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10: 37, 38 KJV)

By the statement that Jesus was "anointed with power," reference is made strictly to Christ in his human nature, as a man, because, as the Son or Word of God, he was already possessed of sovereign eternal power, being "one with" his Father. (John 10: 30) As the Messiah, as the "son of man," he also possessed, and does possess, such divine power.

"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." (John 17: 1,2 KJV)

"Power over all flesh"! Awesome power! Omnipotence! Complete and final authority! Sole possessor of sovereign rights and perogatives! These all belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glorified son of man, now fully and eternally joined to his divinity.

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28: 18 KJV)

Here the Greek word for "power" denotes "authority" and "rights" of a sovereign or lord.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (II Corinthians 12: 9 KJV)

These are the words of the risen and glorified Lord Jesus, uttered to the apostle Paul from the Lord's seat in Heaven, at the "right hand of God," or at "the right hand of power." (See Mark 16: 19 & Matthew 26: 64) The "power of Christ"! The "might" of the Lord Jesus! Wonderful themes! Precious truths! Whoever owns and confesses and puts his faith and trust in Jesus have access to this great power. The grace and power of the Lord Jesus is "sufficient," fully able to meet every need of the sinner who comes to him.

"But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." (Matthew 9: 6 KJV)

Here was a kind of "power" that was different from the power to work miracle or to control the physical laws of nature. Even the Jews recognized this fact, saying - "who can forgive sins but God alone?"

This was a true saying. Only God can forgive sins, for it is his law that has been violated and his government that has been rebelled against. But, Jesus demonstrated that he not only could heal the physically sick, but that he could heal the spiritually sick, that he could atone for and forgive sin.

"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (II Peter 1: 16 KJV)

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." (Revelation 12: 10 KJV)

Christ will yet display his power, might, and authority when he comes back the second time, this time to stay forever. The return of Jesus is everywhere spoken of as a time when the great power of God is revealed in a way in which it has never been done before.

Notice, in the above passage, how the "coming" ("paraousia" or "presence") of Jesus is intimately connected with divine "power."

Christians have been saved by the "power" of Christ. It is by the power and authority of Christ that they are given "eternal life" and "immortality." It is by the power of Christ that sins are forgiven and by which sinners are saved.

Every man must deal with and face this "power" of Christ. One can either face this power in awful judgment for unforgiven sin, or he can experience the saving and forgiving power of the Lord Jesus.

Friend, do you see Christ as the "Power of God"?