* The Greatest Gift

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, 

that he may abide with you for ever; 

John 14:16

We are victorious in God, but that victory does not come through our own might or strength, but through the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.  Zechariah 4:6

God, knew that we would fail if left to our own devices; no matter how well our intentions. Jesus promised after His ascension, that His father would send back the comforter which is the Holy Spirit:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

The receipt of the holy spirit in our life enables and allows us to accomplish the will and the word of God. It is meant for:

¨     SALVATION:

A primary purpose of spiritual power is salvation:

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.   John 1:12

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.   1 Corinthians 1:18

The demonstration of God's power results in salvation. The villages of Lydda and Sharon were converted when Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bed ridden for eight years, was healed   Acts 9

¨     WITNESSING:

A major purpose of the spiritual power delegated to believers was given when Jesus first promised this power:

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 Jesus delegated to His followers was to come upon them AFTER the coming of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the power was to extend a mighty Gospel witness, starting in Jerusalem and spreading to the ends of the earth.

The first demonstration of this spiritual power was seen in the Apostle Peter. After receiving the Holy Spirit, he gave a powerful witness to the Gospel which resulted in salvation for 3,000 people. This was the same Peter who fled at the time of Jesus' arrest. This was the same Peter who denied even knowing the Lord. What had happened?

Peter had been endued with spiritual power. He remembered the purpose of that power as stated by Jesus, "Ye shall be my witnesses." When he received the power he began to use it in it's proper purpose--extending the Gospel to unsaved men and women.

In a court of law, "witness" consists of two factors; verbal testimony and evidence. The same is true in the spiritual realm. Our witness of the Gospel must include both testimony and evidence. Evidence is the demonstration of God's power:

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.   Acts 4:33

Apostle Paul wrote:

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.    1 Thessalonians 1:5

Jesus promised to work with those who fulfill the command to go into the world as witnesses to every creature. Some people seek powerful signs in their ministry, but they are not fulfilling the command to go. The power Jesus promised is to those who fulfill this command.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

In the early Church, the Gospel went forth in boldness because of the enduement of spiritual power:

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.  Acts 4:31

But Barnabas took him [Apostle Paul], and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.    Acts 9:27 

And he [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.   Acts 18:26 

And He [Apostle Paul] went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the Kingdom of God.  Acts 19:8

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 1 Thessalonians 2:2

Jesus said that our words are backed by works; demonstration of power. The disciples were amazed at the powerful works of Jesus:

And He (Jesus) went out from thence, and came into His own country; and His disciples follow Him. And when the sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands?   Mark 6:1-2

Jesus said:

I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work.   John 9:4

Jesus had a definite purpose: He must work the works of God. This was His motivation. After witnessing these works for a time, the Disciples came to Jesus with this question:

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (John 6:28)

Jesus answered:

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.   John 6:29

The greatest work of God was manifested in Jesus. The Lord focused the attention of His disciples upon this fact rather than the visible demonstration of signs and wonders. True miracles always exalt Jesus. This is the work of God.

Later, Jesus told His followers:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father.   John 14:12

His followers were to do the same works He had done. The past had not exhausted the possibilities for power. They would do greater works. These works would be greater in quantity, not quality--because Jesus must return to Heaven.

His promise came true. Throughout the book of Acts, we read about believers doing the works of God. The sick are healed, demons are cast out, prison doors are opened, and the dead are raised again to life.

We are to go on and continue the work that Jesus began. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is accomplished:

And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following.    Mark 16:20

(Biblical Studies)

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