Power In the Holy Spirit

How much power does the Christian have?  Do we have the same power that Jesus displayed while He was on the earth? 

I love the verse in Acts 1, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This verse is referring to Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended and came into all the Christians there were there for the first time. 

Acts 2 states, "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^[a] as the Spirit enabled them."

These tongues were other languages.  As someone in the crowd said, "Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?"

It would have been like if a church group was on a missions trip now to Europe and all of a sudden they could all speak in German, French and any other language that they needed to at that time in order to communicate the gospel. 

In this instance, the power of the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in other languages without having previously learned them.  The church then grew rapidly as a result!  The Holy Spirit enabled them to break through the language barrier with other races and nationalities, so that all people could hear the gospel, in one instant. 

Acts 2 says, "About three thousand were added to their number that day."  Can you imagine?!  That would be quite a revival meeting. lol :) 

Acts 4 says, "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all."

The early church grew incredibly rapidly.  Peter was known for speaking very boldly everywhere he went, because it was not just him speaking, but the Holy Spirit was speaking through him. 

And we have the same power that the early church had, that Peter had, that Jesus had.   

Romans 8 says, " And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."

Did you catch that?  The same Spirit, the same power, that raise Jesus from the dead is in us!

It has become so cliche to say, "God lives in me."  But what does that really mean?! 

"Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  You are not your own, you were bought at a price."

Often times people say we are not capable to doing the miracles that Jesus or the disciples did.  Well why not?  We have the same Spirit inside of us do we not?

We are capable of doing everything that Jesus and the disciples did. 

We only have to have faith.

Mt. 17 says, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Nothing.  Do you believe that? 

Jesus said, "You do not have because you do not ask."

James 1 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."

I believe this concept can be applied to anything we might ask for in prayer, not just wisdom.  If we believe, fully believe, that God is capable of giving us whatever we ask for then our prayers will be much more effective.

However, this does not necessarily mean things like a new car, unless we are actually desperately are in need of one.  The more we pray, the more we know what God wants for us and what things to ask him for. 

James 5 says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Before entering prayer, we need to confess any sins recently committed and forgive anyone we need to.

Mt. 6 says, "If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Therefore, going into prayer with a clear conscious and with no bitterness is crucial if we want our prayers to be answered. 

Luke 10 says, "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."

Do we really believe this? 

May God increase our faith.  A man said once to Jesus, "Lord I believe, but help me in my unbelief."  Amen!

Lord Jesus help us all in our unbelief! 

May God fill you with power this week!  Peace be with you :)