You Shall Receive Power

Acts 1:8 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.


Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:4 to wait for what the Father promised them. He was referring to the power they would receive “when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Jesus gave this mandate to go with the promise that we don’t have to go at it alone, we have the Holy Spirit to not only guide and direct us but also the power of God has been made available to us through Him. Are we effective if we are trying to go about the will of the Father without utilizing the most important tool? Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Try as we may, we can never be truly effective without the presence and leadership of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? This verse makes it perfectly clear that we can by no means do things according to our own agenda for we don't even belong to ourselves! Though our own abilities mighty be great and we might be gifted, our best doesn’t even come close to His best, Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promised the power of the Holy Spirit John 16:12-14 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak of His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. The Holy Spirit wasn’t just for the early church, we are in just as much need of the Holy Spirit and His power as the early church, if not more. We see that God doesn’t play favorites with people in Luke 20:21 Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but you teach the way of God in truth.” This wasn’t even the disciples saying this but some of the religious authority at the time, trying to trick Him, yet even they noticed that Christ prefer one over the other. So how does it make any sense that God would send the Holy Spirit to only one generation? And once we receive that Holy Spirit, are job isn’t done. Yes, we are to be guided by Him and nothing we do is to be of our own strength but this means we need to do something. Go back to Acts 1:8 ...and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” That is a command to go and evangelize, spread the word and follow the acts of Jesus. First in our own community, Jerusalem was their own community. Then to the region and area, Judea and Samaria and finally everywhere else. We certainly cannot exist by just trying to reach everyone else if we aren’t even being effective right here in our own back yards. That leads me to this question: What is power? Here are some biblical definitions of the word power. I contend that if we don’t begin to seek His face and the power of the Holy Spirit that He will pass our generation just as He did Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness.

Power
A. Noun

1. Dunamis: power referring to a variety of ideas relating to ability, capacity, authority and might; is sometimes used by metonymy (a word or expression used as a substitute for something with which it is closely associated) of persons and things, e.g.,
a. of God, Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” NKJV
b. Of Angels Ephesians 1:21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is names, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; RV Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 1Peter 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. NKJV
c. Of that which manifests God’s power: Christ: 1Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God; The Gospel: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek NKJV
d. Of mighty works Mark 6:5 And He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them. RV Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will be able soon after to speak evil of Me. RV; Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-NKJV Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed seeing the miracles and signs which were done. NKJV 2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. NKJV

2. Exousin: denotes freedom of action, right to act; used of God, it is absolute, unrestricted, e.g.,
a. authority is the freedom to decide or a right to act without hindrance. Romans 9:21 Does not the potter have the power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel of honor and another for dishonor? NKJV Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. NKJV b. used of men, authority is delegated Acts 1:7 And He said to them, “ It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. NKJV 1Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. NKJV
c. angelic beings are also called powers Ephesians 3:10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made know by the church to the principalities and powers of in the heavenly places. NKJV Ephesians 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every names that is named, not only in this age NKJV Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. NKJV Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. NKJV Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. NKJV Colossians 2:10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. NKJV

3. Ischus: ability force, strength is nowhere translated power 2 Timothy 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began NKJV
4. Kratos: is translated power e.g., 1 Timothy 6:16 who alone has immorality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no mane has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen NKJV Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil NKJV Ephesians 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power NKJV Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. NKJV
5. Dunaton: the common adjective form of dunatos, powerful Romans 9:22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured the much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction NKJV
6. Arche: a beginning, rule, is translated power in Luke 20:20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. NKJV

B. Verb
1. Exousiazo: to exercise authority
a. in the active voice, have authority and of the power of the rulers Luke 22:25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors’” NKJV 2 Corinthians 7:4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
b. in the passive voice, to be brought under the power of a thing 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. NKJV