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.”

Christianity is intended to be a supernatural. It is not just a philosophy, a creed, a belief system, or a moral code; even though those things are somehow connected to our Christian faith. Somehow, Christianity, at its primitive state, is about the power of God. The early church demonstrated it’s faith with power. The power was seen in supernatural preaching, healing the sick and casting out demons. The power was evident in their prayers and in their testimony of Christ-like behavior. The power that was evident in the midst of the church brought a fear of God even in the secular community. It was the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the church that made the Christian gatherings so unique. Too often today our modern churches want to disassociate themselves with the power of God. That is tragic. It is the power of God that saves us, delivers us, and heals us. It is the very power of God that our souls are longing for. Here are some thoughts from Albert Barnes about the power of God.

“Literally, as it is translated in the margin, “ye shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you.” This was said to them to console them. Though they could not know the times which God reserved in his own appointment, yet they should receive the promised Guide and Comforter. The word power here refers to all the help or aid which the Holy Spirit would grant; the power of speaking with new tongues; of preaching the gospel with great effect; of enduring great trials, etc. See Mark 16:17, 18. The apostles had impatiently asked him if he was then about to restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus by this answer rebuked their impatience; taught them to repress their ill-timed ardour; and assured them again of the coming of the Holy Ghost.”

The Holy Spirit alone is the game hanger. I have a feeling there is about to be another shift in the climate in the Christian Church. There is no other option. The desperate state of our world demands the power of the Spirit. The Lord will respond proportionally in the fullness of time. Get ready; the greatest move of the Spirit in history will suddenly appear in His church.