THE KING’S PROMISED POWER

“But you shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be WITNESSES to Me...” – Acts 1:8a

The Believer’s effectiveness in Witnessing for Christ is hinged on THE KING’S PROMISED POWER: “But you shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be WITNESSES to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Lord Jesus had earlier given this promise: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Lk.24:49). Both texts reveal that the Purpose of the Promised Power is for Believers to become Witnesses for Christ. The bottom line is that supernatural power is essential for an expanding witness to Christ: from Jerusalem in ever-expanding circles to all nations!

The word “power” is “dunamis” (Greek), which means dynamic power or ability to cause or effect a change; wonder-working, miracle-producing ability – beyond human effort! This is a “doing-power,” that’s also called “might.” It also means the power of excellence – extraordinary ability to be efficient and effective in all one does. However, only the Possessor of Unlimited Power can guarantee the Promise of Power. God’s Spirit – Holy Spirit – is the Spirit of Power. Paul reminded Timothy: “For God has not given us a SPIRIT of fear, but of POWER and of love and of a sound mind” (2Tim.1:7). And, the most powerful and dramatic work that the Holy Spirit ever performs is to take a dead heart and make it alive with faith in Jesus Christ.

The King’s Promised Power is purposed to produce: deep conviction; courage and boldness; convincing wisdom; and converting effectiveness. Paul says, “Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in POWER and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1The.1:5). The fullness of the Spirit produces boldness: “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken and they were all filled with the Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). Stephen, by the Spirit’s Power, displayed convincing and irresistible wisdom (Acts 6:5-10). Without this Power, our witness for Christ will lack deep conviction, selfless courage, convincing wisdom, and converting value.

Christians are never to be victims in life. No matter the predicament we face or the precarious situation we may be, we have what it takes to win, irrespective of the adversity. Working in us is the dynamic power of the Spirit to effect changes. Ours is a life of super-productivity and ever-increasing glory by the Spirit: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God” (2Cor.3:5). Holy Spirit releases Power for excellence in us: “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the EXCELLENCE of the POWER may be of God and not of us” (2Cor.4:7).

A life of perpetual struggling without commensurate success could be indicative of not being conscious or taking advantage of the Power of the Spirit within. Paul said, “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13). What a statement! “All things” means: there is no impossibility! If in the Old Covenant, the prophet Micah could affirm, “But truly I AM FULL of POWER by the Spirit of the Lord…” (Mic. 3:8), the New Covenant Believer has no excuse to wallow in weakness!

It’s time to begin to tap into the Power of the Holy Spirit within, that our lives may count for eternity. Through His power, we can do the unthinkable, the unimaginable, and the impossible: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the POWER that works in us” (Eph. 3:20). God’s Power is at work in us, enabling us to will and do that which pleases Him at all times (Phil.2:13). Christianity is a life of dominion. It is not about going from place to place seeking power. All the power we need is in us through the Holy Spirit, waiting to be put to work.