Did Jesus Give His Twelve Disciples Power, Authority or Both?
Both.
Luke 9:1:
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
This verse includes both the Greek word for power (dunamis) and the Greek word for authority (exousia). This settles the issue.
I decided to check this out after hearing a preacher say that the twelve disciples only had authority and that power only came later when the Holy Spirit came. As always, I did my own research instead of taking a preacher’s word for something. I recommend that you do the same.
It is worth noting that many times when the KJV says “power,” the actual meaning is “authority” because the actual Greek word is exousia. This is the case in the following verses, which are not a complete list.
Matthew 9:8:
But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power [Greek exousia, meaning authority] unto men.
Matthew 10:1:
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power [Greek exousia, meaning authority] against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Mark 3:15:
And to have power [Greek exousia, meaning authority] to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
Mark 6:7.
And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power [Greek exousia, meaning authority] over unclean spirits;
The preacher may have been aware of these and just missed Luke 9:1.
In an interesting side note, the word dunamis can also be translated miracle. So we learn that someone who wasn’t one of the twelve also flowed in dunamis, to the consternation of the disciples!
Mark 9:38-39:
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle [Greek dunamis] in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.