this is the proper understanding of what Jesus meant. it was not a challenge to go out and walk on water
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (
John 14:12)
so, the greater works can only happen BECAUSE Jesus is 'going to His Father'. THEREFORE we can understand that His departure from the planet is imperative to fulfill the 'greater works' . what is the condition of being able to do greater works is the first question to be asked here AND that would be the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit...Jesus told his followers to wait for that promise to be fulfilled
the Holy Spirit falls upon the 120 + believers in the upper room recorded in Acts. no one has had this experience yet.
interestingly, we find a similar statement regarding the word 'greater' in Matthew:
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (
Matt. 11:11)
so why is that? why is the least in the kingdom of heaven greater than Jesus cousin even though Jesus says no one has risen greater than John the Baptist? John acted as a prophet, or forerunner of Jesus but he was not a part of the kingdom Jesus preached. the members of the kingdom Jesus preached are those bought by His blood and filled with the Spirit of God promised to believers.
the work of Christ on earth is not the work the disciples were asked to fulfill...go into all nations. Jesus actually preached in a very limited area.
no one with the correct interpretation will go out expecting to be greater than Jesus. the multitude of the works are increased and the gospel is preached to all nations .
Noose is not satisfied with this answer because it does not play into his agenda
Nope. I'm not satisfied with the answer because i know exactly what works are:
John 5:
8Then Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.”
9Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk.
Now this happened on the Sabbath day, .....
16Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute Him.
17But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.”
John 9:
1Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth,
2and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him.
4While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”.
John 10:
31At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him.
32But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”
33“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.”
From the above, we know that the works that Jesus was talking about was the miracles, anyone trying some great explanation as to why it is not miracles is at loss. The works do not mean preaching the gospel and greater in any context and any language still remains greater.
Do not look for an excuse and hide behind the church because the promise is for individuals (whoever believes), not the church.
Try again.
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