Topical Bible: The Power of the Holy Spirit is the Power of God

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, is often described in Scripture as the manifestation of God's power. This divine power is evident throughout the Bible, from the creation of the world to the establishment of the early Church. The Holy Spirit's power is not merely an abstract force but is deeply personal and transformative, working in the lives of believers to accomplish God's purposes.

Creation and Sustenance

The power of the Holy Spirit is first seen in the act of creation. Genesis 1:2 states, "Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." Here, the Spirit is depicted as an active participant in the creation process, bringing order and life to the cosmos. This creative power is echoed in Psalm 104:30 : "When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth."

Empowerment of Individuals

Throughout the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit empowers individuals for specific tasks. Judges 14:6 recounts how "the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon" Samson, enabling him to perform feats of strength. Similarly, in 1 Samuel 16:13 , when Samuel anoints David, "the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day forward." These instances illustrate the Spirit's role in equipping God's chosen servants with the necessary power to fulfill their divine missions.

Prophetic Inspiration

The Holy Spirit also empowers prophets to speak God's word. In 2 Peter 1:21 , it is written, "For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." The Spirit's power ensures that the messages delivered by the prophets are divinely inspired and authoritative.

The Ministry of Jesus

The New Testament further reveals the power of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus like a dove, marking the beginning of His public ministry (Matthew 3:16). Luke 4:14 notes, "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region." The miracles, healings, and teachings of Jesus are all performed through the power of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the divine authority and mission of the Messiah.

The Birth of the Church

The power of the Holy Spirit is most dramatically displayed at Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2. The disciples, once fearful and uncertain, are transformed by the Spirit's power into bold witnesses for Christ. Acts 2:4 states, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." This event marks the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission to spread the Gospel to all nations.

The Indwelling Spirit

For believers, the Holy Spirit's power is not only external but also internal. Romans 8:11 declares, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells within you." The indwelling Spirit empowers Christians to live holy lives, bear spiritual fruit, and exercise spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church (Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

The Spirit's Role in Sanctification

The Holy Spirit's power is essential in the process of sanctification, the ongoing work of making believers more like Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 explains, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." The Spirit's transformative power enables believers to overcome sin and grow in righteousness.

Conclusion

The power of the Holy Spirit is the power of God, active in creation, revelation, redemption, and sanctification. Through the Spirit, believers are empowered to live out their faith, fulfill their God-given purposes, and participate in the divine mission of the Church.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 11:20
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come on you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... "Right faith is a thing wrought in us by the Holy Spirit" (Wm. Tyndale). ... it is the
faith that only God can give . ... do not struggle in the power of the will . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

The Attractive Power of God
... the heavenly Father with the might of His divine power. ... In order that God may draw
more to Himself, and ... Now when the Holy Spirit saw that the Only Begotten Son ...
/.../eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/i the attractive power of.htm

The Power of the Blood of the Lamb
... the Lamb, that we shall know its full power in our ... nature of the Lord Jesus, and
the Holy Spirit wants to ... Jesus, though exalted to the throne of God, is still ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 9 the power of.htm

Power Hindered.
... when the churches turn towards God, and we cease grieving the Spirit, so that ...
to-day, many of the church members not even wanting this Holy Ghost power. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter v power hindered.htm

"Having Begun in the Spirit"
... preach or write or think or meditate, and delight in being occupied with things
in God's Book and in God's Kingdom; and yet the power of the Holy Spirit may be ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/having begun in the spirit.htm

Witnessing in Power.
... in them the power that God can use. He is not going to use our ideas, but we must
have the Word of God hid in our hearts, and then, the Holy Spirit inflaming us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/witnessing in power.htm

The Holy Spirit of Promise
... of God to produce apostolic results in these perilous days in which we live. This
final reformation was unquestionably begun by the power of the Holy Spirit, ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter iv the holy spirit.htm

Kept by the Power of God
... have known Christ and His blood and the Holy Spirit sent down ... heart you have the
whole omnipotence of God engaged to ... that is not the way with the power of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/kept by the power of.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... "To as man as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God ... Unless
we are the sons of God the Holy Spirit's indwelling shall not be ours: we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm

Power "In" and "Upon. "
... Perhaps some question the possibility of having the power of God now, and that the
Holy Spirit never came afterward in similar manifestation, and will never ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter ii power in and.htm

Fresh Supplies of Power.
... scheming for position by those in holy service ... cross-currents that are surely drawing
the power out of ... first touch the thing that disturbs His sensitive spirit. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/fresh supplies of power.htm