Power from on High

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

When Jesus concluded His earthly ministry and returned to Heaven, He left His followers with a tremendous responsibility: 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Matthew 28:19-20

The responsibility Jesus gave His followers was to reach the entire world with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

There is a definite relationship between responsibility and authority. When someone is given a responsibility to do something, he must also be given the authority to do it. That authority must be delegated by someone greater than he.

For example, a policeman is given the responsibility to maintain order in a city. He is also given authority to fulfill that responsibility. He is given authority to act out his duties and given a weapon to give him power to walk out that authority.   The policeman does not have authority in himself. His authority is delegated (given) to him by his superiors. He is a man working with power delegated to him by a higher authority. He represents the government.

Jesus gave His followers the responsibility of reaching the world with the Gospel. He also gave them the authority and the power to accomplish the task. 

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues . . .  Mark 16:17

You cannot give someone responsibility without giving them the authority and necessary tools to carry out that responsibility. What was this authority? The authority was the name of Jesus and the power was the Holy Spirit; spiritual power-- great spiritual power: 

. . . All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.   Matthew 28:18-20

When Jesus came to this earth, He came with power and authority. Jesus had "all power" delegated from God. Because of this, Jesus had the authority to delegate both responsibility and power to His followers:

And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Matthew 10:1

And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach,

And to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out devils.    Mark 3:14-15

And He called unto Him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.  Mark 6:7

Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.   Luke 9:1

It was not emotionalism or material blessings which Jesus delegated to His disciples. He did not establish an organized base of operations in Jerusalem. He knew these alone would not accomplish the task. He delegated Power.

The power which Jesus delegated to His followers is greater than the power of the enemy:

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.             Luke 10:19

Satan is not afraid of us. He will not respect us, but he fears our God-given authority.

Authority is based on relationship. For example, the policeman has authority because of his relationship with the government. Our authority is based on our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ; our connection to the vine.  Attached to us is Jesus with "all power." When we realize this truth, our life will change.  

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

When the Disciples were endued with this power they were changed from fearful, unbelieving, doubting men to men of authority:

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

The book of Acts records how the promise of spiritual power was fulfilled in the lives of believers. The miracles, signs, and wonders described in this book are impressive. Each manifestation of God's power contributed towards the fulfillment of the great responsibility of reaching the world with the Gospel.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.   Luke 10:19

The power Jesus gave His followers carried with it a specific responsibility: It was to be used to extend the Gospel to the nations of the world:

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

This power is for the purpose of extending the Gospel to the nations of the world.

Jesus told a parable illustrating this truth:

For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to His servants, and to every man His work, and commanded the porter to watch.   Mark 13:34

The authority was given to accomplish a work. That work is the extension of the Gospel to the nations of the world.

Some people believe that spiritual power was only for the early church. They say it was only for the disciples. They claim the day of miracles is past.

But this begs the question, has the entire world been reached with the Gospel? The assignment  Jesus left to His followers is not yet finished. We still have the responsibility of reaching the world with the Gospel of the Kingdom.   Even as Apostle Paul neared the end of his journey, he began preparing Timothy, whom he had discipled, to carry on fulfilling the commission.   Jesus would not withdraw the authority before the responsibility was fulfilled.

Consider the account of Jesus’ conversation with Martha regarding Lazarus’ death:

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.  Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.     John 11:21-24

®     Martha believed Jesus could have raised Lazarus in the past 
           (". . . if thou hadst been here").  
®     She believed Jesus could raise him in the future 
           ("in the last day"). 

Jesus shared a very important truth with her.  ("I AM the resurrection and life”)  "I am" is speaking in the present tense.  Then He raised Lazarus from the dead.   

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:   John 11:25

There is no such thing as a past day of miracles. There is no such thing as a future day of miracles. In every age there is power to work miracles to meet the needs of people. In every day and age, God is manifesting His power. He says to you, "I AM"--present tense.

(Biblical Studies)

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