Topical Encyclopedia
The power of Christ in the assembly of saints is a profound and transformative presence that is both a source of spiritual strength and a testament to the divine authority of Jesus Christ. This power is manifested in various ways, including through worship, prayer, teaching, and the exercise of spiritual gifts, all of which contribute to the edification and unity of the body of believers.
Biblical FoundationThe New Testament provides numerous references to the power of Christ being present among His followers when they gather in His name. In
Matthew 18:20, Jesus Himself declares, "For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them." This promise underscores the assurance of Christ's presence and power whenever believers come together, regardless of the size of the assembly.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this concept in his letters to the early churches. In
1 Corinthians 5:4, he writes, "When you are gathered in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of our Lord Jesus," indicating that the power of Christ is an integral part of the communal life of the church. This power is not merely symbolic but is active and effective in guiding, correcting, and empowering the church.
Manifestation in Worship and PrayerThe power of Christ is particularly evident in the corporate worship and prayer of the saints. In
Acts 4:31, after the believers prayed, "the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." This event illustrates how the power of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, emboldens and equips believers to carry out their mission.
Worship, as an expression of reverence and adoration, invites the presence of Christ in a unique way. In
Ephesians 5:19-20, Paul encourages the church to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Such worship is a conduit for the power of Christ to work within the assembly, fostering unity and spiritual growth.
Teaching and EdificationThe teaching of the Word of God is another avenue through which the power of Christ is present in the assembly. In
Colossians 3:16, Paul exhorts believers to "let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." The power of Christ is evident as His Word is proclaimed, bringing conviction, encouragement, and transformation to the hearers.
Exercise of Spiritual GiftsThe power of Christ is also manifested through the exercise of spiritual gifts within the church. In
1 Corinthians 12:7, Paul states, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." These gifts, which include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy, among others, are expressions of Christ's power working through individual members for the edification of the entire body.
Unity and LoveThe presence of Christ's power in the assembly is ultimately aimed at fostering unity and love among believers. In
John 17:22-23, Jesus prays for His followers, saying, "I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me." The power of Christ in the assembly is a unifying force that reflects the divine love and purpose of God to the world.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Corinthians 5:4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Nave's Topical Index
Library
The Power of Christ Illustrated by the Resurrection
... in the hope of finding an assembly who propagated ... accomplish the resurrection is
a matter of the present. ... There are no ebbs and flows with Christ's power. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the power of christ illustrated.htm
On all the Saints.
... the grace and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power
unto the ... address in the church when the bishop was present, except by ...
/.../dubious or spurious writings of gregory thaumaturgus/on all the saints.htm
The Sufferings of Christ, and the New Covenant, were Announced by ...
... Chapter VI."The sufferings of Christ, and the new covenant ... his flesh [as a foundation]
with power; for He ... therefore, this does not exist at present, yet still ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter vi the sufferings of christ.htm
The Coming of Christ was Predicted by the Prophets; and was ...
... Chapter XVI."The Coming of Christ was predicted ... of others, but having myself been
present, and actually ... of the once mighty Pharaoh whose power Moses crushed ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xvi the coming of christ.htm
An Abstract of a Speech Delivered by Lord Warriston, Before the ...
... set out such discipline as, to the utmost of your power, you may exalt Christ the
only ... church, his own house, in all his offices, and present the church as ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/an abstract of a speech.htm
Of the Thousand Years of the august Kingdom of Christ, and of the ...
... hast taken to Thee thy great power, and hast ... concerning the oecumenical dominion
of Christ, or the reign ... of the foregoing synchronism to the present; for they ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/synchronism v of the thousand.htm
On the Coming of Our Lord in the Flesh; Its Nature and Cause.
... But do thou, O Christ, Saviour of mankind, be present to aid me ... our God and Saviour,
according to our feeble power; unto thee, O Christ, supreme Providence ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xi on the coming of.htm
A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... At the present crisis, I feel that it is woe unto me if I do ... far otherwise, I will
the rather glory in mine infirmities that the power of Christ may rest ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm
To the Reader.
... upon either of these; & to present how these ... distinct intrests (though meeting in
one Assembly), as the ... And in this Distribution of power, Christ hath had a ...
/.../cotton/the keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof/to the reader.htm
A Sermon for the Time Present
... an indifference, and a lack of spiritual power, it is ... The present period of church
history is well portrayed by ... and therefore to be spewed out of Christ's mouth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 33 1887/a sermon for the time.htm
Resources
What is the power of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Satan is prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any power in positive thinking? | GotQuestions.orgPower: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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