The Power of the Holy Spirit
In the book of Acts there are four different ways Luke refers to the Holy Spirit, depending on which aspect of His ministry Luke wanted to emphasise:
(1) the Spirit
(2) Holy Spirit
(3) the Holy Spirit
(4) the Spirit, the Holy
When using the term ‘Holy Spirit’ the emphasis is on the Holy Spirit’s power. Here are some examples.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit… (Acts 2:4)
This initial filling with the Holy Spirit empowered the first believers and was a clear and direct fulfilment of Acts 1:8 (But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you …)
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31)
Being “filled with the Holy Spirit” is directly linked to their speaking “the Word of God boldly”
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5)
Acts 6:8 describes Stephen as “a man full God’s grace and power” who “did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.” So Stephen’s being “full … of the Holy Spirit” and experiencing the power of the Spirit went hand in hand.
When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit … Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit … Simon … said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15,17,19)
The emphasis in these scriptures is that Peter and John prayed for the new Samaritan believers to receive the Holy Spirit’s power. Simon would not have offered money for the ability to pray for people if there was no tangible difference to their lives. He was observing these new believers being released into the Holy Spirit’s power.
… Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:1,2)
Paul’s question to these Ephesian disciples, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” only makes sense if he was asking them about their experience of the Holy Spirit’s boldness and power.
We receive the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence at conversion. As we place our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit imparts God’s very life in us, eternal life.
But do you know the power of the Holy Spirit? Have you received His power? This was Paul’s question to the disciples in Ephesus and it is just as relevant to ask the same question today.
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