III — AUTHORITY
III — HOW DOES THE PHRASE “CHRIST-APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY” EXPLAIN THE MISSIO DEI?
God’s mission is centered in Christ, the divine Apostle (Hebrews 3:1), who was the Sent One. In that apostolate (office of sending), He was given the authority to go into the world to be flesh of our flesh to rescue mankind. Through His gracious work, Christ was given the authority to give forgiveness and eternal life. Christ confers His apostolic (sending) authority to all believers to participate in His mission of proclaiming the Gospel to the world. In the great sending (apostolate) of God, all baptized believers in Christ are given the authority to proclaim the authority of Christ over all flesh, the world, sin, death, and the devil.
10. John 17:2 …since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
11. Matthew 7:28-29 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
12. Matthew 9:6 “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he then said to the paralytic — “Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”
13. Matthew 28:18-19 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
14. John 10:17-18 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.
