“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49, NKJV)
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples during the forty days between His resurrection and the day He was caught up to heaven. During the time He spent with them, He spoke of “the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). Although they had been with Him during His years of ministry, there was still so much for them to learn and understand.
When those gathered in the Upper Room were filled with the Spirit, they received this promised power.
- Power to see miracles happen (Mark 16:17-19)
- Power for witnessing (Acts 1:8)
- Power greater than our timidity or fear (II Timothy 1:7)
- Power that works within us (Ephesians 3:20)
- Power to live a godly life with excellence (II Peter 1:3)
- Power to abound in hope (Romans 15:13)
- Resurrection power (Romans 8:11)
This kind of power does not come from our own ability. It only comes from the Spirit of God dwelling inside and empowering us. God is the source of our power.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (II Corinthians 4:7, ESV)
The Greek word for power is dynamis and is used 120 times throughout the New Testament. The English words dynamite and dynamic originate from this word. When Jesus promised that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon us, He was promising a dynamic, active, powerful force to work in our lives. Dynamite power!
Today is Pentecost Sunday, a day that reminds us of the world-changing events described in Acts chapters 1 and 2. While it would have been amazing to be there when the Spirit fell on those gathered in the Upper Room, that same promised power is still available today. It wasn’t just for them; the promise included “all who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).
Thinking of the promise of this dynamic power, the words of an old hymn comes to mind. The second verse says:
Pentecost can be repeated,
For the Lord is just the same,
Yesterday, today, forever,
Glory to His precious name!
Saints of God can be victorious
Over sin and death and hell;
Have a full and free salvation,
And the blessed story tell.
Refrain:
Pentecostal fire is falling,
Praise the Lord, it fell on me;
Pentecostal fire is falling,
Brother, it will fall on thee.
“Pentecostal Fire Is Falling” by George Bennard (1873–1958)
God’s Pentecostal power is available to all of us. Have you received it?
Lord, thank You for the promise of Your Spirit that reaches to us today. Because You filled me with the Holy Spirit just as those on the Day of Pentecost, I have power to live victoriously, power to abound with hope, and power to witness. Thank You that the dynamic power of Your Spirit is available to everyone.
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