Authority and Power. There are times when you’ll need to decide which of the two is needed. Of the 25 miracles that Jesus did during his ministry, 50% were done by power and 50% by authority. Power to heal organic diseases and authority to expel demons.
Should healing result from a word of authority or a touch of power — or both? Jesus told those who believe to “lay hands on the sick” — to touch them with the indwelling Holy Spirit’s healing power — “and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:18) There will be times when you’ll be unable to lay hands on the sick because the sick person is not present or is beyond your reach (perhaps in the care of unbelieving relatives). In that case, a spoken word of authority will likely bring the same result.
A word of authority, or a touch of power—which? Both are equally effective! It’s vital that you know the authority that Jesus had on earth and that was extended to include “all authority in heaven” as well as on earth after he rose from the tomb and was glorified in heaven. Also that you know how to minister the power of God through the touch of your hands. Jesus said, “Those who believe in me shall do the same works that I do, and greater because I go to my Father” (John 14:12) Meaning that the power he demonstrated would be multiplied by the Holy Spirit in them after they were baptised in the Holy Spirit (Acts, chapters 2 & 10)
The Lord has put a lot in your hands — literally! Just how much you’ll find when you speak with authority in the name of Jesus and demons leave, and sickness along with them, or when you touch the sick and oppressed and his healing power flows through you into them. When either happens, you’ll find out that God’s healing and authority really do go hand in hand!