had paid the price on the cross for us and
rose victoriously. All we have to do now
is to ask God to bless us with this power
and He will surely bless us. This Power is
the solution to every problem that man
faces. For this reason the Bible clearly tells us to seek the kingdom of God.
God’s kingdom does not come by mere
talking but by demonstrating the Power
of the Cross.
1 Corinthians 1:23- But we preach
Christ crucified.
We have learnt that Christ is the Power of
God and the Wisdom of God. This implies that whoever knows Christ knows
the Power of Christ. And Wisdom gives
us power.
1 Corinthians 4:19-20 – But I will
come to you shortly, if the Lord will,
and will know, not the speech of them
which are puffed up, but the power. For
the kingdom of God is not in word, but
in power.
Here the Apostle Paul emphasizes on
demonstrating the power of the cross.
He says that it is in the demonstration
of the power that he will get to know the
passion of the people who serve God.
Paul says that the power is the most important thing.
Let us now see what God has done so
that we become His children.
John 1:12-But as many as received
him, to them gave He power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Whoever believes in God is the Son of
God. The power is the identification of
a born again person who is nonetheless
the Son of God. God is passionate about
imparting His power to His children.
After becoming God’s children, living a
powerless life even for a single day is a
crime. Using this power we can expel demons, get a brand new house, get rid of
diseases, and gain abundance of wealth.
To be precise, we can use this power to
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The Acts October 2013
turn our every weakness into strength.
No believer should live powerless. The
level of our passion determines the level
of our Power. If we have been a Christian
for 20 – 30 years that is not important,
but leading an authoritative life with
this power is vital and the most amazing
thing ever. This revelation must be an
eye-opener to us.
Now we shall see the part played by the
disciples.
Matthew 10:1 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.
Initially, Jesus gave the disciples authority which is the first step and the second
step is friends.
John 15:14-15 Ye are my friends, if ye
do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:
but I have called you friends; for all
things that I have heard of my Father I
have made known unto you.
Here, Jesus promoted them to a friendship level. Like Jesus they were also able
to cast out devils. As the disciples were
healing, they became friends. Without
the authority they were disciples and
with the authority they became friends.
Let us now examine the third step.
This level is after the Resurrection.
The Father bestowed his Son- Jesus with
authority. The birth of Jesus was with
the Holy Spirit and he was sent into the
world through the Holy Spirit. When
the Holy Spirit is present we have the
power. When we believe God, the Holy
Spirit comes into us. The people who
have the Holy Spirit only, can tell that
Jesus is God. Before the cross we had 2
levels – disciples and friends and after the
resurrection we have the Sons of God.
John 20:17 –Jesus saith unto her, Touch
me not; for I am not yet ascended to my
Father: but go to my brethren, and say
unto them, I ascend unto my Father,
and your Father; and to my God, and
your God.
Here, it is crystal clear that Jesus has now
authorized the disciples as Sons of God,
that is, Jesus has promoted the Disciples
from the rank of Friendship to the rank
of Sonship of the Most High God.
John 20:19-22 –Then the same day
at evening, being the first day of the
week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled for fear of
the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the
midst, and saith unto them, Peace be
unto you. And when he had so said, he
shewed unto them his hands and his
side. Then were the disciples glad, when
they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to
them again, Peace be unto you: as my
Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed
on them, and saith unto them, Receive
ye the Holy Ghost: