Power To Finish Christ’s Work

AS we enter the New Year, we must see it as a period of great expectation and realisation. Believers should make this a year of great revival and renewal, a year of righteousness and full restoration. If our desire is to see vibrant and glorious Christianity again, then, there can be no better book of the Bible to plunge into at this time, than the Acts of the Apostles.

This book is a pulsating account of the activities and practices of the early church. It throbs with life and thrives with action. In it, we see the Holy Spirit at work, empowering believers, evangelising the world, building the Church, using believers and Christian preachers to heal the sick and deliver the oppressed. Here, the Holy Spirit so enabled the Apostles and disciples to overcome formidable obstacles, spread the gospel everywhere and achieve remarkable results. This inspired history of the early Church, written to reveal how the Church was built and strengthened in the most turbulent period in the world, was authored by Luke, who also authored the gospel of St. Luke. The book covers a period of about 33 years and filled with the supernatural acts of God.

In “the former treatise” written to the “most excellent Theophilus” ( Luke 1: 1- 4), Luke had carefully reported Christ’s miracles and messages, His deeds and doctrine, His supernatural works and saving words, “all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” Indeed, He was “mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” ( Luke 24: 19). What Jesus began to do and teach the Apostles, disciples and the whole Church were to continue. Since they were to preach and proclaim His resurrection in the power of the Holy Ghost, He showed Himself to them as the risen Lord “by many infallible proofs.”

For 40 days before He was “taken up” ( Acts 1: 2,9,11,22), He taught the disciples concerning “the Kingdom of God” and commanded them to tarry in Jerusalem, waiting, praying and expecting “the promise of the Father,” the “baptism with the Holy Ghost,” the enduement of “power from on high” ( Luke 24: 49).

But you may ask: why in Jerusalem, the city of hatred, intimidation, fear and persecution? Why not wait to receive the promise and begin the great work in another city? Jerusalem was the place of divine appointment and in Jerusalem they waited, received the promised power, witnessed, wrought miracles, signs and wonders, raised and grew the Church and won great victories ( Acts 1: 4,8; 2: 5,41; 4: 16; 5: 16,28; 6: 7). They obeyed and waited; we must obey, wait on the Lord and pray until we are “endued with power from on high.”

“Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel? It is not for you to know, but ye shall receive power.” Our curiosity often hinders our spirituality and responsibility. “Lord, and what shall this man do?” ( John 21: 21). It is not for you to know, but ye shall receive power. “Lord, are there few that be saved?” ( Luke13: 23). “Lord, who did sin that this man was born blind?” ( John 9: 2). It is not for you to know but ye shall receive power. “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” ( 1 Corinthians 15: 35). It is not for you to know but ye shall receive power.

Those who really desire power for “Destroying All Wicked Networks” ( DAWN) must not allow the natural man’s curiosity to divert their attention to things, which are not their concern. In pursuit of DAWN, we must “Disregard All Worthless Non- essentials.” Drop all speculations and seek the power of the Holy Ghost to do exploits for God’s Kingdom. “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” This power is indispensable for effectiveness in Christian witness and ministry. Great talents and intensive training without spiritual power will prove ineffective in this great work of eternal consequence. We must seek and receive the power of the Holy Ghost.

The great Commission, the final commandment had been given. Thereafter Christ blessed His disciples. His blessing was enriching, but they must still wait and pray, believing until they received the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost. As soon as He had commissioned and blessed them, He was “taken up into heaven.”