Power given to people in ACTS

As we look at the beginning of ACTS, we read Jesus’ words that His followers will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon them and they witness for Him in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (ACTS 1:8).

The word for power is an interesting one in Greek – dunamis. Dunamis can mean many things, and is translated differently in the Bible at different times. It can mean power, like doing miracles. It can mean strength like having the strength to live a godly life in today’s world (2 Peter 1:3), but it can also mean ability like the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. They were given according to their “dunamis” or ability, and that is why they were given different amounts – because they had different abilities to handle or make money. But the last meaning is also very interesting – a moral excellence, or maybe in easier terms – a strength in character. It is used when Paul, talking about the thorn in his side, says that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9), when our character rests fully on Him. These definitions and descriptions help me understand better how God’s Spirit gives me power – dunamis – to become His witness; not just in praying for or seeking big miraculous things, but also in using the talents and abilities He's given me, the spiritual gifts He’s instilled in me, and lastly in me choosing godly character in my life, thoughts, and actions.

What is also interesting about dunamis is that it describes power you receive because of where that power originated from and in this context, we see that this power is directly from Jesus. It is His power that He says will allow us to bear much fruit – I am the vine and you are the branches, if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. He gives, and also is, the power we need to not just make it through life, but to leave an impact in this world wherever He places us, because the power we use isn’t our, but His.

Pastor Steve