The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” (Luke 10:17-21)
It was never true that the apostles exercised a kind or level of supernatural power out of the reach of other believers. That is a myth invented by preachers and theologians to explain why they have no power at all, and the people of God are rather satisfied with it because it also appeases their own conscience.
The majority of these disciples were not apostles, but Jesus sent them out to preach his message and to heal the sick. They came back and reported that even the demons submitted to them in his name. One man was not even with Jesus, but still used his name to cast out demons, and the Lord allowed him to continue (9:50). What right do church leaders have to criticize Christians who do this today, Christians who follow Jesus and have received the full written legacy of the prophets and the apostles? Cessationism is one big middle finger in the face of Jesus Christ.
Under Jesus Christ, even what the world and the church regard as ordinary people can exercise the powers of prophets. This was the reason for Jesus to command his disciples to work miracles, and for him to pour out his Spirit upon them. But the world’s philosophers and the trained scribes were unable to wield this power. The theologian boasts, “I have been teaching unbelief in the seminary for forty-five years.” And the preacher gloats, “Hundreds of members had their enthusiasm dashed under me.” They should not celebrate these accomplishments.
When the disciples spread out to preach the message and perform the works of Jesus, Satan fell from the sky like lightning. They dealt a decisive blow to his hold on men and his influence on affairs. Yet Jesus said that even this was nothing to rejoice about, not that it was something bad, but because relatively speaking, the ministry of miracles should not be a big deal, but it is a normal aspect of the gospel ministry. The marvelous thing is that our names are registered in heaven through faith in Jesus Christ.
All these things, from authority in his name to salvation by faith in him, were hidden from those who were expected to know the most about them. Father, as Jesus praised you for this, we also praise you for this, because you have hidden these things from preachers and theologians who despise you and who decide to have their own way. But you have revealed them to little children, the unlearned and the unauthorized, because you delight in rubbing it in the face of men’s unbelief and self-righteous arrogance, and those who regard themselves as the elite of the church but who have not an iota of power. This seems good to you, and therefore it seems good to us as well.