Pass the Power Please

Text: Acts 1:8

“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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

We are like the disciples who had ministered to others with Jesus while on earth, but in great need of the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT. Our Lord instructed His disciples before He ascended back to heaven to wait – to tarry- until they were endued with POWER from on high.

“49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2: 1-4)

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

By the way, the “other tongues” was a supernatural miracle in which foreigners with different dialects from far away lands were gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish feast called Passover, but understood what was being said in their own language.

“5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:5-11)

Unlike some claim, this was not “speaking in tongues” – a jibber, jabber utterance, which others could not interpret, but as you can read, it was an understandable dialect.

There is a misunderstanding today that teaches unless you have “spoken in tongues” you are not filled with the Holy Spirit. Or as some coin it, baptized by the Holy Spirit.

Sorry, but I respectfully disagree with my charismatic friends, even though I still love them. We agree on “being filled with the Spirit” being an absolute. However, we disagree on the interpretation of Scripture including the terminology.

By the way, the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” happens instantaneously at the moment of conversion. It does not appear in Scripture to be a second blessing which results in “speaking in tongues.” Check out what Paul writes concerning this matter.

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1Cor 12:13)

Interesting to note, the phrase “baptized” is in the aorist tense meaning a past event, not an ongoing experience.

However, you and I desperately need the resurrection POWER of Jesus Christ in order to flesh out the CHRISTian life!

How else can we fulfill our biblical roles as godly dads, moms, husbands, wives, children, and servants?
Have you discovered yourself to be a consistent failure no matter how hard you try? Trust me, if you do not see it, others do. Instead of attempting in the energy of the flesh to be a Holy Spirit led witness, our Lord not only CALLS us to be witnesses but also EMPOWERS us by His Holy Spirit.
 

2. HOW do we get this HOLY SPIRIT POWER? (Eph 5:18)

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

First, in order to be “filled” with the Holy Spirit, we must be emptied of ourselves. John says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

Jesus says, although referring to His death, but also including a deeper meaning to His followers, these words:

“24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:32)

This is what Paul meant when he was inspired to write,

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)
 

3. How does this HOLY GHOST POWER of being “Filled with Spirit” work?

First, it is not a ONCE and for all thing; rather, it is ONGOING….a continuous filling. Why? Because we are leaky vessels.

The word “be filled” is πληρόω, which is in the present tense in the Greek, which means continuous action. The word literally means I fill, fulfill, complete. In Greek, the word is in the passive mood, which means we cannot fill ourselves, instead we depend upon another source, namely the Holy Spirit of God.

In addition, the Greek word indicates it is imperative, which means it is a COMMAND…..not a suggestion.

One other thought about the Greek meaning. It is plural, which reveals it is for every CHRISTian, not just preachers, deacons, missionaries, Sunday School teachers and evangelists.
 
Conclusion: “Pass the Power Please”! The great need for today’s Churches is to be “SPIRIT-FILLED”! Our heart cries out for the crucified Christ, resurrected Lord, and soon coming Bridegroom to fill us afresh and anew. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, then we can pour into others with Holy Ghost POWER! Grant it Lord!!
 
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese