The Power is Yours
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Feb 24, 2023
- 2 min read
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own 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 1:1-8)
Have you ever stopped to think about what is available to you as a believer?
Sometimes Christians take for granted the amazing power that has been delegated to us through the authority of Jesus and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
The first chapter of Acts was not just the call to the twelve who followed Him. This chapter presents Jesus’ last words on earth. They were for everyone who would ever follow Him. What did Jesus say we were to do? Jesus told His followers to receive the power and be witnesses for Him. The word power in the Greek is dunamis and Jesus was referring to the same power that He had. The word witnesses is martus in Greek, and it’s the source of the English word martyr. We are called and empowered to die to ourselves and live for the Lord.
Many people won’t like believers operating in power and authority, but we have been empowered to do miracles, signs, and wonders and to live the life of a martyr for God.
Practical Application
Be an example of the love and compassion of God by being willing to step out in uncomfortable moments to demonstrate His power toward those God places in your path.
