A Disciple's Journeyনমুনা

The Holy Spirit—the Church’s Power

Even until the very moment of the ascension, the apostles weren’t sure when or how Christ’s kingdom would come. The book of Acts begins with the apostles asking this question and records Christ’s answer. Christ orders them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the fulfillment of the Father’s promise, when they will receive the Holy Spirit. This much is very clear: the ministry of the apostles cannot start until the Holy Spirit comes. The church can’t pursue its mission without the Spirit. The Holy Spirit isn’t optional. He is essential. The last 2,000 years—the history of the church—is the history of the Holy Spirit’s action in the world through God’s people.

Peter and the apostles asked Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answers first by saying that His return and consummation of the kingdom is not for them to know (Acts 1:6–7). But He goes on to give them a mission that would be the great adventure of their lives, an adventure that we’re still part of today. In Acts 1:8, Jesus told them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” That was it. That was the last thing He said. He ascended to the Father’s right hand, and the angels basically told the apostles to stop staring and get to work (Acts 1:10).

Jesus had a mission for the apostles, one that would require faith, boldness, and wisdom to accomplish. They were to fan out geographically, working their way from the epicenter, Jerusalem, into the surrounding regions and then throughout the world. It seems easier in retrospect, now that we know what incredible success the apostles had in taking the gospel everywhere. But that was a tall order. Don’t forget who we’re talking about here. This is the Peter who couldn’t keep his eyes open to pray for an hour, the Peter who swore he didn’t even know who Jesus was. These were the guys who were huddled together in a locked room, just hoping they wouldn’t get arrested. And now they’re being told by Jesus: “Alright guys, I’m about to leave, I can’t say when I’ll be back…. go conquer the world!”

It wasn’t like the Sanhedrin or the chief priests had a sudden change of heart. The Roman governors hadn’t altered their policies or pre-approved Christ’s plans. Christ didn’t give them a new method or a new technology. Nothing about the disciples’ situation had changed. Except for one thing. They were about to receive the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is where we get the power to be able to do what God is calling us to do. Remember, Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). That’s the difference. That’s how a fisherman could become a preacher and a leader. It was the power that comes from the Holy Spirit, God dwelling in us and empowering us.

The Holy Spirit is associated with power in Scripture. At the end of Luke, Jesus tells the disciples the Holy Spirit will “clothe” them “with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). When Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he reminds them of what made his ministry different from any message they had ever heard: “our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

If, as Christians, all we have is words, then we’re just like any other sales force. We’re a bunch of followers of the latest spiritual guru, just trying to sell a new way to be happy. The world has seen plenty of those come and go. What separates us from any other teaching is that when the gospel is proclaimed, God Himself shows up and starts moving in the hearts of those who hear. Christ isn’t just an idea; He’s a living reality. We witness to Him not merely by telling people about Him. We’re witnesses to the living and present God! The God we proclaim is alive in us, working through us by His Spirit.