In our world today we all deal with the possibility of suffering from Covid-19, or one of its variants. One of the common symptoms that we deal with is fatigue. During and after being infected most feel exhausted. They have no power within themselves to overcome this lack of energy. Thankfully no matter how fatigued we feel physically, we can still feel energized and powerful through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Luke 24:49, we have a verse of promise. It was a promise that God the Father made to the disciples through Jesus Christ. The promise was that they would be aided by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:49 “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.”
The disciples had been greatly distressed at what Jesus had said about leaving them. They didn’t understand what was about to happen. They had been with him and seen the miracles and in their minds, they still believed he was coming to set up an earthly kingdom.
He tells them they will be endued with power from on high. The Greek word for power here is dunamis. Our English words derived from that are first, dynamo, which generates electrical power. The second is dynamite, the explosive. He is promising them the dynamo and dynamite of the Christian life, the Holy Spirit!
First, he gives them the power of miracles. They, in Jesus’ name, would be able to heal and deliver people from Satan and from sickness.
Act 3:6 “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
Act 5:16 “There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.”
These were special powers from the Holy Spirit for that time to validate who the disciples were and who they represented. Many had heard of the miracles of Jesus, and now they were seeing his disciples, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, exhibit some of the same power. However, they made sure that all knew by what power these things were done. It was a new era in religion. The church of Jesus was being established.
He also gave them the power to witness.
Act 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost comes 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.”
He was letting them know that the power that would be given to them was not just for the Jews, but to all who would listen and believe.
Act 4:33 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”
They would be able to speak with a boldness of the resurrection of Jesus, to proclaim why he came, who he was, and that he would be coming back.
Later in Acts, we read of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, afterward called Paul. A man who was an enemy of all Christians until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. From that point forward, he would be a great witness for Christ, and he too was given great power to witness.
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
It is hard for us to fathom the fear they had to witness. We live in a country where we have freedom of speech. No one is going to kill us for speaking out for Christ, or against another religion. However, in their times, and in many other countries, it was and is, a crime to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ. They desperately needed the power to witness.
Of course, we still need the power of the Holy Spirit to witness so it will be effective. If we are not controlled by the Holy Spirit, we will not know when, where, or what to say. We need to be in tune with the Holy Spirit because there are some that are ripe and ready for the master, but they need someone to lead them.
You may feel you could never lead someone to Christ, and in your own strength, I agree. But the power to do this is from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If you have been saved, then you know enough to tell someone else. The most effective witness is your own story of how you were saved, and how he changed you. Skillful persuasive words are not what it’s all about. Witnessing is for every Christian! Never fear, he promises to all who believe, that we will be endued with power from on high.
He also gives us the power to live a victorious Christian life. I’ve witnessed many people that put off giving their hearts to Jesus because they feel they can’t live the Christian life. They know the flesh that rules them, and they fear failure. I tell them they are correct, they can’t do it, but the Holy Spirit can aid them to victory. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that works within us and through us to change us.
He has given us everything we need to live the victorious Christian life. In II Peter 1:3-4, we are told he has given us his divine power. This power is all we need for this life, for godliness and to gain knowledge of Jesus. The rest of this chapter deals with a step-by-step process to exhort, excite and engage them to push forward in grace and holiness. They have already been saved, which is the first step, but they are not to rest in that.
The same challenge is for us. Read II Peter chapter 1 to understand how to tap into the power of the Spirit within you to be a powerful witness. We have the power of the Holy Spirit, and we need to push forward until the day he returns or takes us home!
