Jesus last words before He was taken up to heaven was: Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” NIV Again, Jesus stresses the importance Of God’s Holy Spirit in our life. He will give us power! What kind of power? “ . . . You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” God’s Spirit gives us power to be witnesses in this dark world. Wow, we are not alone when we are doing God’s work! God is present with us through His Holy Spirit.
More information about the promised power is given in the following texts:
1. The disciples received authority to “drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness”
Matt 10:1 “He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” NIV
2. Seventy-two others were given that same power.
Luke 10:1, 19 “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go… “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”” NIV
3. Jesus made it clear that this same power has been guaranteed to us, His followers.
Matt 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." NIV
None of this is possible without a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus cannot be with us if we do not want to have a relationship with Him. No power is available to us if we only depend on ourselves. All this is only possible because our God is a God of relationships!
How is Jesus with us? John 16:7 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." NIV
He is with us through His Holy Spirit, who gives us power!
Other Bible texts confirming this:
Eph 1:18-19 “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” NIV
Eph 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” NIV
Heb 2:3-4 “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” NIV
Rom 15:18-19 “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done- by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit.” NIV
Click here to go to: iii. Objections.