What Jesus gave to the apostles and His last command to us today, is the commission and authority to preach the gospel and lead others to the power of God unto salvation. If we are not preaching the gospel as we have been commanded to do, we are not delivering the true message of His Great Commission and we certainly will miss the true power of God to bring souls into His knowledge and Kingdom.
In John 14:12 when Jesus said . . . “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father,” He was announcing the coming of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus became man, He set aside His Godly powers and voluntarily limited His abilities to only those things that a man could do. While on earth, Jesus’ miracles were performed through the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus said that anyone who believed on Him could do the same, He meant that the power of the Holy Spirit would henceforth be made available to all believers, and when combined with sufficient faith, men could produce the same miraculous feats as He had performed.
Notice that John 14:12 DOES NOT SAY we will do greater miracles, but rather greater works. Let’s look at the Greek meanings of words for explanatory purposes. The word “greater” is translated into the Greek word meizon – neuter of 3187; (adverbially), meaning (i.e., greater degree or more). Jesus saying, “the works I do”; translated into the Greek word ergon,, means to work or toil as an effort or occupation; an act of labor (i.e., they will labor in greater in degree). Jesus saying “greater works than these” means a more extensive ministry. There are other Greek words used for miracles – Semeion, a “sign,” [i.e., an evidence of a divine commission; an attestation of a divine message or evidence of the presence of God.] Terata, “wonders” (i.e., events that evoke astonishment in those who observe them, see Acts 2:19). The Greek word Dunameis, is often used for the power to do miracles (i.e., “mighty works” or deeds performed by a superhuman power). Erga, “works;” (i.e., the deeds of Jesus – see John 5:20, 36.)
In Greek translations, John 14:12 DOES NOT SAY: greater signs (miezon semeion); greater miracles (miezon dunamis) power or greater wonders (miezon terata;). IT DOES SAY greater works (miezon ergon). Many Christians use John 14:12 out of context when they claim they will do greater works than Jesus did. There is no greater work done than Jesus dying for our sins. Jesus is NOT saying we will do greater miracles than He did but that our effect on people and our influence will be greater. Fulfilling the Great Commission IS the greater work that Jesus spoke of in John 14:12. The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:18-20 when Jesus said, “. . . All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
“Greater” in quantity refers to Christians spreading the gospel throughout all nations. Through witnessing or evangelizing, Christians can bring sinners into a relationship with God and teach them to invite the Holy Spirit to live in them. This is something that the disciples could not do at the time Jesus said this. Christians today will know that they can do greater and more abundant works by carrying-out Jesus’ commission to preach the gospel and disciple people throughout all nations about the death and resurrection of the Savior; and teach new believers that the Holy Spirit is available to all who believe. [To be continued.]
