The Promise of Power

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

God is so magnificent in His omniscience it is astounding.  Knowing that we would not, could not withstand the onslaught of the enemy if left to our own devices, God made provision through the son to level the playing field!

Peter let us know that following after Jesus would involve suffering.  

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  1 Peter 4:1

Jesus had already told the disciples that they would be persecuted for His name sake:

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. Luke 21:12

When you combine that with the everyday situations of life, money, finances, spouses, jobs, children, etc., trying to live a Godly life in accordance to the word of God can indeed be uncomfortable if not downright stressful.  But God, in His infinite love and wisdom knew that we could not survive this journey without some supernatural assistance.  

The children of Israel in their wilderness experience bears witness to this.  When they didn't feel the power of His presence, they quickly forgot God.  They had all types of sacrifices they were to perform to pardon them from sin.  But with the final blood sacrifice of Jesus, we no longer have to perform this ritual.  God provides us with power from on high so that we never forget who we are and to whom we belong. 

Jesus made an important promise to His followers regarding spiritual power:

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  John 15:26

The power of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit are two key principles in understanding the Biblical concept of power. Experiencing both is necessary to receive spiritual power. It is  another vital spiritual experience which we must receive. It is the power of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus.

Jesus told His followers He would. . .

. . . pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  John 14:16-17

The Holy Spirit would "endue" or literally "clothe" the disciples in spiritual power:

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

Note that this great spiritual power was to be experienced AFTER receiving the Holy Spirit:

But yet 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

√     Power is a spirit:

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

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. Luke 4:14

√     That "spirit of power" is the Holy Spirit:

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.   Acts 10:38

When we receive the promise of the comforter, we are filled with power; power to:

>  overcome the enemy

>  live a Godly life

>  to witness the gospel of Jesus

>  love the way God loves

>  to forgive others and ourselves

This promise was not just for the disciples, it is for all mankind.  If you have given your life to God and not received the Holy Spirit in your life, do as the disciples did, pray for the Holy Spirit to fall on you.

 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.   Acts 2:1-4

As some would have you believe, this was not just an occurrence that was exclusive to the disciples in the upper room.  A great crowd gathered and wanted to know what was going on.  After Peter explained what was happening and the reason for it, the crowd asked what should they do.  Peter said:

. . . Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.   Acts 2:38-39

(Biblical Studies)

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