Power For Ministry
By Stefan Bomberger
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Power for ministry. It’s something every Christian should desire. Not because we want to glorify ourselves or draw attention to our strength or performance. Indeed, the boast of the Christian is always in our weakness, because it’s in our weakness that God’s power is perfected. Our obvious weaknesses makes us rely on God and desperate for His power and grace to fill where we’re lacking. The power we desire is no less than God’s own supernatural power. Here, in Acts, Jesus promises us this power through the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is our point of continuity between our ministry and the powerful ministry of Christ. When John baptized Jesus, the Spirit of God powerfully descended upon Christ and “remained on him” (John 1:32-33). It was the Holy Spirit who anointed Christ to perform many healings, signs, and wonders. In fact, the title “Christ” literally means “anointed one.” So whenever we call Jesus the “Christ” we’re saying, “Jesus is the anointed one.”
Often, when we see the miraculous deeds of Jesus throughout the gospels, we’re inclined to first think of his divine nature – as God – how he has power over his creation. While this is certainly true, surprisingly, the Bible often points to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, rather than Jesus’ deity, as the explanation for his powerful ministry (e.g. Luke 4:18, Acts 10:38). Now Jesus baptizes us with this same Spirit, and as Christians (his anointed ones) we have this supernatural power available to us!
If you’re lacking in power, ask for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit in your life. Jesus has told us in Luke 11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (v. 13)! God is eager to fill us afresh with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). I’m always stirred in the book of Acts to see Spirit-born, Spirit-sealed, Christians repeatedly filled with the Holy Spirit. It reminds us, our experience with the Holy Spirit doesn’t end with conversion, but rather begins there. Seek Him. Seek the power of the Holy Spirit. I’ll end with a prayer that I’m praying myself.
“Father, thank you for sending your promised Spirit. Thank you for saving me, causing new life, and sealing me with your Spirit. Jesus thank you that when you ascended to Heaven, you didn’t leave me as an orphan. You sent me the Helper. Baptize me afresh with your Spirit. I want to be your faithful witness. I need your strength. I need boldness. Lord, use me to do mighty deeds in your name, so that the name of Christ might be lifted up. Spirit, help me to eagerly desire your gifts and to fan them into flame. Fill me today and make me more like Jesus. Help me to walk in step with you and bear your fruit for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
