Greater Works Than Jesus? John 14:12

[Chad]

John 14:12
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

RSB Study Note

greater works than these. History proves that Jesus is not affirming that each believer will do greater miracles than He did. The church’s work in the power of the Holy Spirit will be “greater” than Jesus’ works in number and territory.​

In other words, Jesus was limited by territory during His ministry. When He rose again to be seated with the Father (Luke 22:69), He sent the evolving church the Holy Spirit as witnessed in the book of Acts. This time, the Spirit lives inside the believer whereas in the OT the Spirit did works, but not residing within the believers. In the OT, the Holy Spirit was "with them" where now in the NT, He lives within us.

Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

2 Timothy 1:14
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

 

[RJ]

In other words, Jesus was limited by territory during His ministry. When He rose again to be seated with the Father (Luke 22:69), He sent the evolving church the Holy Spirit as witnessed in the book of Acts. This time, the Spirit lives inside the believer whereas in the OT the Spirit did works, but not residing within the believers. In the OT, the Holy Spirit was "with them" where now in the NT, He lives within us.

Yes brother, it is all about him and none of us, yet because the mystery is over, he lives in us and by his wonderful grace he imputes righteousness to us!

 

[Byfaith]

greater works than these. History proves that Jesus is not affirming that each believer will do greater miracles than He did. The church’s work in the power of the Holy Spirit will be “greater” than Jesus’ works in number and territory.

I am not sure about "History" but if it's the Lord going with us performing His Word with Signs following, and if the Lord has not changed any and it's the Same Holy Spirit, that Worked through Jesus, then it would have to be about Miracles, and also the territory covered. Jesus was just one, and you would have to stand in line to get to see him. Now He is the same and with us all, His Works multiplied.

We can all learn more obedience and how to submit so that the Lord can use us in the way He wants.
Blessings.