Topical Bible: Power of the Holy Spirit: Promised by Christ

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Topical Encyclopedia

The promise of the Holy Spirit's power is a central theme in the New Testament, reflecting the transformative and empowering role the Spirit plays in the life of believers. This promise, given by Jesus Christ, is foundational to understanding the work and presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church and individual believers.

Biblical Foundation

The promise of the Holy Spirit is explicitly stated by Jesus in several key passages. In the Gospel of John, Jesus assures His disciples of the coming Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will guide them into all truth. John 14:16-17 records Jesus saying, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you."

Further, in John 16:7 , Jesus emphasizes the necessity of His departure for the Spirit to come: "But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you."

The Promise Fulfilled

The fulfillment of this promise is vividly depicted in the Book of Acts. Before His ascension, Jesus instructs His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the "promise of the Father." Acts 1:8 captures this promise: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

This promise is realized on the Day of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2:1-4 , when the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to speak in various tongues and boldly proclaim the Gospel. This event marks the beginning of the Church's mission and the widespread manifestation of the Spirit's power.

Role and Impact

The power of the Holy Spirit, as promised by Christ, is multifaceted. It includes the ability to witness effectively, as seen in the apostles' bold preaching and miraculous works. The Spirit also plays a crucial role in the sanctification of believers, guiding them into truth, convicting the world of sin, and producing spiritual fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

Moreover, the Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). These gifts, ranging from wisdom and knowledge to healing and prophecy, demonstrate the Spirit's active presence and power within the body of Christ.

Theological Significance

The promise of the Holy Spirit's power underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan. It fulfills Old Testament prophecies, such as those found in Joel 2:28-29, where God promises to pour out His Spirit on all people. This outpouring signifies a new covenant relationship between God and His people, characterized by direct access to divine guidance and empowerment.

In summary, the power of the Holy Spirit, as promised by Christ, is a vital aspect of Christian life and ministry. It enables believers to live out their faith with boldness, integrity, and effectiveness, continuing the mission of Jesus through the presence and work of the Spirit.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... have done the (2307) of God, you may receive what was promised" (). ... is a thing wrought
in us by the Holy Spirit" (Wm. ... do not struggle in the power of the will ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

The Holy Spirit of Promise
... of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on ... he may abide with you forever;
even the Spirit of truth ... But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter iv the holy spirit.htm

The Apostles Teach that it was Neither Christ nor the Saviour, but ...
... disciples after the Lord's ascension, having power to admit ... Wherefore also the Lord
promised to send the ... partakers of Himself, sending the Holy Spirit upon all ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvii the apostles teach that.htm

The Benefits of Christ Made Available to us by the Secret ...
... all those passages which express his power and operations are ... Ephesians, "Ye were
sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise ... he has given us of his Spirit," (1 John ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 the benefits of.htm

Christ or Satan.
... Son of God, the Hope of the Fathers, and the Promised Messiah. ... Of course, earthly
love can not realize its highest power unless the Holy Spirit dwell in ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxviii christ or satan.htm

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
... intellectual and moral apprehension; "Counsel and might," the power to scheme ...
1:13""Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." The Spirit is the ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the holy.htm

The Holy Spirit and the World.
... dispensation will be one of great power in prayer ... end of the chapter of all he has
before promised. ... when they were baptized with the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, and ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the holy spirit and the.htm

Sharing Christ's Life
... II.LIFE IS PROMISED TO CHRIST'S PEOPLE ... When the Holy Spirit quickens a dead soul,
that dead soul then ... living contact with the living Saviour by the power of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/sharing christs life.htm

"For if Ye Live after the Flesh, Ye Shall Die, but if Ye through ...
... drawing withal necessary, the pull of the Father's arm and power of the Holy Ghost,
yet that ... shall not perish," &c., "If ye walk after the Spirit, ye shall ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxiv for if ye.htm

The Advocate Promised.
... to the saints in general is that the Spirit will aid ... contained in the completed
revelation of the Holy Scriptures. ... hand of God and to have "all power in heaven ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the advocate promised.htm

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Love"
... You might say that when Christ promised the Spirit to the disciples, He ... True, but
then they received the Holy Spirit in such heavenly power and reality ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/the fruit of the spirit.htm