The concept of the "Authority of the Sent Ones" is deeply rooted in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ commissions His apostles and disciples to carry out His mission on earth. This authority is not self-derived but is granted by Christ Himself, who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18).

Biblical Foundation

1. Commissioning by Christ: The authority of the sent ones is first and foremost established by Jesus' commissioning of His apostles. In Matthew 28:18-20, known as the Great Commission, Jesus declares, "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, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." Here, the apostles are sent with the authority of Christ to teach, baptize, and make disciples.

2. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The authority of the sent ones is further empowered by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit equips the apostles with the necessary power and authority to fulfill their mission.

3. Apostolic Authority: The apostles, as the primary sent ones, hold a unique authority in the early church. This is evident in passages such as Acts 2:42, where the early believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." The apostles' teachings and decisions, as seen in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), carry significant weight and are considered authoritative for the church.

4. Signs and Wonders: The authority of the sent ones is often confirmed through signs and wonders. In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus states, "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well." These miraculous signs serve as a testament to the divine authority bestowed upon them.

Role and Function

1. Proclamation of the Gospel: The primary role of the sent ones is the proclamation of the Gospel. Paul, an apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizes this in Romans 1:16, stating, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek."

2. Establishment of Churches: The sent ones are instrumental in establishing and nurturing churches. Paul’s missionary journeys, as recorded in the Book of Acts, highlight the planting of churches across Asia Minor and Europe, demonstrating the exercise of his apostolic authority.

3. Guardians of Doctrine: The sent ones are tasked with safeguarding the doctrine of the church. In 1 Timothy 1:3-4, Paul instructs Timothy to "command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer," underscoring the responsibility of the sent ones to maintain doctrinal purity.

4. Discipleship and Teaching: The sent ones are responsible for teaching and discipling believers. In Ephesians 4:11-12, Paul writes, "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ."

Contemporary Implications

The authority of the sent ones continues to have implications for the church today. While the original apostles held a unique and foundational role, the principles of being sent, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and commissioned to proclaim the Gospel remain relevant. Church leaders and missionaries today draw upon this biblical model as they seek to fulfill the Great Commission, ensuring that their authority is rooted in Christ and aligned with Scripture.