“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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
There is power in the Holy Ghost. In Acts 1:8, the word “power” means miraculous power, ability, and abundance; it means might, strength, violence. Well, that’s something to get excited about – we have been equipped with such power.
Listen to what this means to the believer: You shall receive strength, might, ability, miraculous power, abundance, and violence; or the ability to perpetrate violence, after the Holy Ghost has come upon you.
Now this isn’t talking about natural violence, but violence in the realm of the spirit. He is talking about war in the spiritual realm. And the Holy Ghost is for war.
Now a soldier is not much good if he has all his weapons strapped to his back – his M16, grenades, extra magazine pouches, and his bayonet – and then sits down on a rock and prays for God to do something. He’s not going to see what his weapons can do until he gets in the middle of the war and use them.
Unfortunately, that’s what many Christians do. They say, “Lord, I am waiting to see miracles.” Well, get up and do something! Go out and preach the gospel, stand in faith for somebody, and lay hands on the sick.
Stop waiting for something to happen – you make it happen. Use the weapons you have. Stop sitting around looking at everybody else fight. You get in the war – you have the power of the Holy Ghost all over you, and in you.
Look at what Philip did in the face of persecution. Acts chapter eight, verse five says, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.”
Notice Phillip went where the sinners were and preached Christ. Guess what? They saw a manifestation of power, ability, might, and the anointing of God. Well what happened? People got saved. Demon possessed people were delivered, and the lame and the sick were healed.
There is power in the Holy Ghost. There is strength and might on you and in you, and God expects you to take it where people need it.
This is war. It’s time for believers to get up and go out there among those who are wounded. There are so many crying out for help, and He has given you the power. Just Go!
Scripture References: Mark 16:15-18; Romans 15:13-16
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).