“But ye shall received power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
When the fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy came concerning the outpouring of the Spirit “upon all flesh,” and Peter’s confirmation of it on the day of Pentecost, there was an unveiling by God of His hidden, invisible strength and power, seen in the changed lives of the Apostles, and believers in Jerusalem. That day, from over the then known world, three thousand Jews would be saved. What occured? We do not doubt that the Spirit of God had been at work in marvelous ways since the creation, and this revealed clearly in the Old Testament Scriptures. Many believers were moved by the Spirit, led by the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, and enabled to believe God for His wondrous intervention in individual lives, and nations of men. However, It seems that by choice and design, the revelation of the Spirit’s working would be centered primarily upon the nation of Israel. This revelation is greatly seen in the prophets and kings, eventually arriving at its pinnacle with Christ coming to Bethlehem to be born, and then to Jerusalem to die. The day of Pentecost was unique, for not only was it the fulfillment of a prophecy that God had given to Joel many years before, but because of the EFFECTS of the power of the Spirit’s moving. Also, the extent of the power was to be revealed to be worldwide. The Great Commission had been given by Christ to reach the ends of the earth with the Gospel. How would this be done, unless by the Spirit of God? And what would be that essential element the Spirit’s ministry that would make all of this possible? Was the Great Commission to be realized by the resources of men, and capacities of men, their intellectual and physical ability to accomplish such a feat? Or would all be possible by the “power” of the Spirit working in and through men, in answer to faith and obedience?
In John the Baptist’s testimony concerning the recognition of the Messiah, but also of His work by which He would reach to the extremities of the earth with His witness, John would write: “And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.” (Jn. 1:33) This baptism is that act of God the Father, whereby the believer is placed into living union with Christ. This one baptism has many aspects, but that which is essential to see now is that the believer is in living union with Christ who is His power, and strength. From Pentecost on, the Lord Jesus would be revealing to all believers something of this indisoluable union with Himself by the Spirit, that the vision of His power would be known. This truth, as a basis for faith, would be laid for the believer to trust Christ for all that he needs of His power and strength. Since Pentecost, Christ’s work, in its scope and power, has been increasingly revealed on this earth. It is at this point, by virtue of this eternal work which has enveloped the believer in Christ, that every believer is called upon to pursue and know Christ’s resurrection power.
But, how are we to know this power of which Paul spoke, a power to be realized in our hearts and lives? The great essential is that of prayer, but prayer that is based on a vision. Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers, that they might understand, “…what is the exceeding greatness of His (Christ’s) power, to usward who believe.” (Eph. 1:19) It is by the revelation of God’s provision of Christ’s power, by virtue of our union with HIm, that the Spirit gives His power in response to faith.
Dear Father, Strengthen us by Thy power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.