The Holy Spirit and Power

2024-07-09

God is a God of power; He is the Almighty. “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1). All true power is derived from Him.

The Lord said for His disciples to remain in Jerusalem to wait for power on high. This is the Holy Spirit. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

This power in the Person of the Holy Spirit is power to preach the Gospel from Jerusalem to the world’s end. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The power of the Spirit gives strength to the powerless, in either physical or spiritual senses. “And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (Acts 3:12). The power was evident to others. “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” (Acts 4:7).

The power of the Spirit comes with faith, wonders, and wisdom. Consider Stephen, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5). “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8). And again, those of the Synagogue of the Libertines “were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6:10).