POWER
INTRODUCTION
Christ has given every follower His Power and Authority to defeat Satan and all evil spirits (Matt. 16:19, Luke 9:2). Jesus made the promise to give us the power and authority in Matt. 16:18. The gate of Hades (Hell) could not withstand it. Jesus is saying that, He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. His Power is greater than the power of the enemy. When there is a head-on conflict between the power of the enemy and the power of God, the power of the enemy will lose every time. It is expedient the believers comes in terms and full comprehension of this power and how to release it.
Biblical concept of Divine Power
- Generally, power is the ability or capacity to do things. People, pilitical, governmental, personal or earthly power is limited. However, Divine Power is unlimt and can do all things even the impossible.
- All through the scriptures, the word power was used in different forms, viz. Dunamis, Kratos and Exousia.
- The power of God shows us that God is not a fairytale but a wonderful reality.
- The context of God’s power in the New Testament shows that God’s power is released for healing, deliverance and many kinds of miracle and signs.
- In the Bible, God is a person not merely power. Therefore a phrase like “the Power of God” takes no new meaning because a person who possess the characteristics of power is the prime mover of the universe.
- The Biblical description of power relates primarily to God and people.
- Power is an inherent characteristics of God (Romans 1:20). It is the result of His nature.
- God’s kind of power is seen in His creation (Psalm 19; Psalm 150:1, Jeremiah 10:12)
His inexplicable power is the only explanation for the Virgin birth of Jesus (Luke 1:35)
- Power is always a derived characteristic for people, who receive power from God (Deut. 8:18; Isa. 40:29; Micah 3:8; Matt. 22:29; 1 Cor. 2:4; Eph. 3:7) from political positions (Esther 1:3; Luke 20:20), from armies (1 Chron. 20:1) and from structures that provide advantage over others.
- Power is not intrinsic. When humans perceive in that their power is intrinsic to themselves, they are self-deceived. (Lev. 26:19; Deut. 8:17-18; Hosea 2:7-9; John 19:10-11)
- Power in the New Testament is used to describe the unseen world. The spiritual and angelic realm is described as powers or authorities (Rom. 8:38; Eph. 3:10; 6:12; Col. 1:16; Col. 2:10; Col. 2:16).
- Paul specially images the living of the Christian Life as an empowerment from God. The believer’s union with Christ delivers him or her from the power of sin (Romans 6:8) and introduces him or her to the power of Christ’s resurrection (Php. 3:10)
- Salvation and Holiness (Holy Living) provide the Christian with a Spirit of power for witness (2 Tim. 1:7-8)
- The Gospel itself is imaged as power (Romans 1:16). The power here renders the Greek word ‘dunamis’
It is often noted that the gospel is the dynamite of God because dynamite is derived from ‘dunamis’. However, the observation is not valid as dynamite was not in existence during Paul’s time. For Paul, the Gospel dunamis was the dynamic of God’s power conveyed through God:s message.
When presented to the world, the gospel dynamically works salvation in those who believe.
- Paul develops the motif of Divine Power as the key to christian living by noting that unless the believer is empowered, it is impossible to please God (Romans 6-8; 1 Cor. 15:56-57)
- Peter also utilizes the concept of power to image the Christian Life as an empowerment from God (2 Peter 1:3).
- More of God’s power and possibilities can flow through enlightened mind.
Why Christians don’t Experience the Power of God.
- Christians know the cross of Jesus Christ, but many never take the next step into resurrection of Jesus Christ. The cross is the love of God and the resurrection is the power of God.
Without the Love of God, His Power will be destructive and without the Power of God, His Love will be useless. So we need both the Love and the Power of God.
Relationship between the Kingdom of God and Power.
- The Power of God is the hallmark of God’s Kingdom and it is for every saved Christian.
- The Kingdom of God is characterized by divine power. (1 Cor. 4:20)
- The Kingdom of God is irrevocably linked to the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17b) and therefore the Holy Spirit is the source of Divine Power (Acts 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:7).
Every born-again believer has the kingdom residing in him via the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8, Matt. 12:28)
Note: The promise of power to the believers was after the Pentecost but the promise was given in response to the disciples asking if the kingdom would now be restored to Israel.
- Power has been misinterpreted as authority.
- Divine Power is not the same as magic or sorcery. It is directly and only from God.
Definition of Divine Power (Dunamis) -Acts 1:8
What is Divine Power (Dunamis)?
- Dunamis is an inherent power or power residing in a thing by virtue of it’s nature or which a person or thing exerts and put forth.
- Dunamis comes from the root word ‘dunamai’ to be able or possible and means force, miraculous power, ability, might and strength. It shares the same root with dynamite (explosive), Dynamo (which generates energy and power) and dynamic (powerful).
- Divine Power is that which one feels upon experiencing the divine reality.
- Divine power is power that only God has, such as being able to create the universe. Divine power is also needed to clean our sins . Only Christ can do that (1 Tim. 2:5; John 14:6; John 3:16).
- Dunamis is a Greek word and means act of power, miracult power, ability, natural capability, inherent power, ability to perform anything, not merely power capable of action, but power in action.
- Dunamis is used 121 times in the New Testament and translated into the following words: ability(1), abundance (1), meaning (1), might (4), mighty deed (1), mighty work (11), miracle (8), power (77), strength (7), violence (1), virtue (3), wonderful work (3), worker of miracles (1), and mighty (4).
- Dunamis of God works when our faith is prompted into action (Ephesians 3:20).
It works according to the hearing of faith
We came into a living relationship with Jesus by His Grace and through Faith (Ephesians 2:8)
The only way we can please God is through Faith (Hebrew 11:6)
Faith comes to us through our ability to hear the word of God (Romans 10:17)
Faith releases Dunamis (Gal. 3:2-5)
- Releasing this Dunamis is our responsibility. We do the hearing, believing, releasing of faith and carry the Dunamis.
- Dunamis is the demonstration of the Kingdom of God (The speaking of words alone is not enough) – Romans 1:16, 1 Cor. 1:18, 1 Thess. 1:5-8, 1 Cor. 4:20, Mark 9:1.
- The Gifts of the Holy Spirit have to do with the Dunamis of God (1 Cor. 12:10, 2 Tim 1:6-8).
- The Bible links Godly sufferings and difficulties as being necessary for developing of power -Dunamis (2 Cor. 12:7-10, 2 Cor. 13:4, Matt. 26:41, 2 Cor. 4:7).
- End-time religion avoids Dunamis ( 2 Tim. 3:1-5)
- It is the dynamic ability given to man by God, that can enable him to cause a change like God.
Everything any Christian has, have been made in Christ Jesus, and are the results of His ability, not ours.
Besides granting us all that we require for life and godliness through His Divine Power, God has granted us the same power to live.
- The Dunamis power of God has been neglected in the church but the truth is that the world desperately needs to see the power of God in action.
- Dunamis has already been given but it is only beneficial when it is working in us. (Acts 1:8, Ephesians 3:20)
Understanding the Difference between Power and Authority
- Christ has given every follower His power and Authority to defeat Satan and evil spirits. (Matt. 16:19; Mark 6:5-6; Luke 4:36; Luke 9:1; 1 Cor. 4:19-20; Eph. 1:19-22, Eph. 2: 4-6, Col. 2:9-10; Col. 2:13-15; 1 Pet. 5:8)
- Jesus’ Power and Authority is given to us at salvation.
- In receiving the Holy Spirit, we have also received God’s Dunamis power (Acts 1:8, Luke 24:49, Acts 10:38)
- Dunamis can be seen (Luke 19:37).
- When the Dunamis of God is working in our lives, it will produce holiness unto God.
- Dunamis and Holiness go together. It sets God’s standard within us, so that all we do and are reflects back to God’s honour and Glory.
The Father’s Purpose and Dunamis Power. (John 5:19)
- God’s Dunamis power is released to accomplish the Father’s will.
- When we have an intimate relationship with God, we learn His plans. We can the release His Power through prayer, word or an obedient act, to fulfil Father’s purpose.
JESUS’ MINISTRY AND DUNAMIS
- Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb when the Dunamis of God came on her (Luke 1:35)
- Jesus is declared the Son of God with power (Dunamis) Romans 1:4-5
- Jesus came to minister the Dunamis of God to fallen mankind (Matt. 11:20-23, Luke 10:12-15)
- Jesus was approved by the Dunamis (Acts 2:22)
- Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and Dunamis (Acts 10:37-38, Luke 5:17)
- Jesus could feel the Dunamis when it left His body (Mark 5:30, Luke 8:43-45)
- Jesus exercised power over unseen world through His exorcism of demons (Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1)
- Jesus delegated the Dunamis to His followers (Luke 9:1, Luke 10:19, Luke 24:46-49, Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8)
- The disciples released the Dunamis
- The Early Church functions in the Dunamis (Acts 4:33, Acts 6:8, Acts 8:5-13, 2 Cor. 12:12, Acts 19:11, 1 Cor. 2:4-5, Php. 3:10, Col. 1:29)
- Paul prayed especially for the Dunamis to be working in our lives (Eph. 3:16, Col. 1:9-11, 2 Thess. 1:11, Eph. 3:20).
Note: The images that exist among Christians concerning power often depend upon the English translation with which they are familiar. The Bible uses a variety of Hebrew and Greek terms that represent power. This has also caused an interchange of terms (Authority and Power) on interpretation.
The Greek term EXOUSIA is most often translated power in the King James Version but it is almost always translated authority in modern versions.
Relationship between Authority and Dunamis Power
In receiving authority from Jesus, we have been giving stewardship of God’s power (Matt. 10:1)
The Greek word translated authority (Exousia) means the right to exercise power (Dunamis).
We can only fully understand the authority God has given us, as we also comprehend the power that we have been entrusted with.
Jesus’ Name And Dunamis Power.
The Dunamis power of God is released in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:7, Acts 4:10b).
The Kingdom and Dunamis power.
We can use words to announce and describe God’s kingdom, but the evidence of God’s kingdom is God’s power in action (Matt 10:7-8, 1 Cor 4:20, Mark 9:1)
Difference between Power and Authority
- Power in the Greek is Dunamis, which means energetic power, explosive power or demonstrative power.
DUNAMIS is a tangible, explosive, raw, miracle working power.
DUNAMIS many times is felt physically and supernaturally (Mark 5:30)
It operates by gift of Faith, working of miracles, gift of healings (Acts 8:13)
When it leaps onto a person or thing, results start to show Immediately on the person and the natural realms responds and reacts to it (Luke 6:19, Acts 4:33, Acts 6:8)
A bold action or sometimes a simple touch is often how dunamis is released. You can feel it transferred from yourself to the other person (Mark 5:30, Luke 8:46)
Dunamis often operates through deep compassion, emotion is often involved (Romans 15:13)
Dunamis can be transferred from person to person or person to object (Acts 19:11-12). It will cause the same thing to happen without being present.
It requires a clear, focused channel to flow through (1 Cor. 2:2-4, 2 Cor. 4:7)
It is prepared by prayer for revelation and energized faith (Eph. 1:17-19, 2 Thess. 1:11)
It is stirred up by how the person knows how to stir up the gift within themselves (2 Tim. 1:7-8)
Dunamis works best when others have some faith, but not always necessary (Mark 6:5, Mark 5:29-30)
Dunamis must be received by faith and worked or energized (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, 1 Cor. 12:10, 2 Cor. 12:12, Gal. 3:5, Eph. 1:19, Eph. 3:7, 20, Heb. 11:11).
Dunamis is strongly related to allowing grave to work in our lives (Acts 4:33, 2 Cor 12:9, Eph. 3:7, 2 Pet. 1:2-3).
Dunamis does not depend on your holiness but your boldness and Holiness is needed for increase in dimension (Acts 3:12, Romans 1:16)
- Authority in the Greek is Exousia and it means right, privilege given to someone by another. It refers not to power but to position. It was originally given at creation, lost in the fall of man and regained through redemption. It is an intangible positional power through command.
Exousia operates by knowing on the inside that your words command and shape the spirit real and the natural. (Matt. 8:9, Matt. 9:6, Matt. 28:18).
Exousia operates by the believer’s faith. (Mark 11:23-25)
It operates by exercising God’s given right. It requires a solid knowledge of the word and boldness in your position with the risen and reigning Christ as the Son of God (John 1:12, Col. 2:10)
Righteousness expressed in the Earth is Exousia.
Exousia is foundational. It is what is simply a part of your nature and position as the Son of God.
Exousia has higher rank than DUNAMIS.
Exousia is what gives DUNAMIS. (Acts 8:19)
Exousia as a spiritual authority can be granted or delegated. (Matt. 10:1, Luke 4:6)
Exousia has a sharpness that can either be built or destroyed (2 Cor. 13:10) and can be abused by inappropriate use (1 Cor. 9:18).
How to receive, operate and Increase Dunamis
- Praying in the Spirit. How much dunamis is based on how much energia (Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, Eph. 3:7, 3:20)
- The testimony of Dunamis produces faith for Dunamis (Mark 5:25-34)
- Impartation of Dunamis rub off. They produce imparts of the nature of Jesus to be formed in us (Luke 1:35) but we still must feed and nurture what we receive.
- When you disobey the devil, keeping your flesh under. (Luke 4:14)
- Remembering and inner retrospection of how the power and impartations of Dunamis came on you allow you to work more in your life. (2 Tim. 1:6-8)
- Waiting on God through fasting (Isaiah 40:31)
- Anointing. When God’s anointing is on you, the power of God is demonstrated through us. (1 Samuel 16:13, Acts 10:38, Isa. 61:1-3)
- When you are not ashamed of the gospel and can bodly declare the gospel, we will be filled with the power of God (Rom. 1:16, 2 Tim. 1:8, 1 Thess. 1:5)
- When we are full of faith (Matt. 17:20, Mark 9:23, Acts 11:24, Acts 6:5,8,10; John 14:12). Cultivate Supernatural fairh and add action to your faith. (James 2:20)
- Sincerely confessing your sons and pray earnest persistent prayers (James 5:16, 2 Cor. 10:3).
- When we abide in Go’s presence, we experience more touch by the power of God. (1 Chron. 16:27, Psalm 97:5, Psalm 9:3, 68:8, 1 Samuel 5:2,4; Matt. 18:20).
- Meditate on the word.
- Express worship to the Lord through songs and prayers.
- Passionately pursue spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1)
- Learn to hear God’s voice (John 5:19)
- Associate with the anointing (1 Samuel 10:10-11). One can catch the anointing by putting oneself in a place where God is moving.
- Be motivated by love (Romans 13:10)
- Enlightenment and Transformation. Your paradigm is capable of limiting the power of God in your life.
The Evidence of God’s Power (Eph. 1:15-17)*
- Faith (v:15a)
- Love (v:15b)
- A Drive to know Jesus intimately and deeply (v:16-17)
Benefits of Divine Power*
- It heals the sick (John 14:12)
- To preach the word (Acts 1:8, 1 Cor. 2:4)
- To rejoice in the Spirit (Romans 15:13, 2 Tim. 1:7)
- To give witness to Jesus and attract people to God (John 2:23, Acts 8:6, 1 Thess. 1:5)
- It grants boldness (Luke 22:60-61, Acts 4:13)
- It conquers fear (2 Tim. 1:5)
- It provides all the requirements for godliness.
- To clean our sins
- It helps us believe in hope (Romans 15:13)
- It keeps us through Faith (1 Pet. 1:3-5, 2 Pet. 1:3-12)
- It reveals the purpose of Christ’s mission and the importance of your soul being saved through Faith. (Eph. 2:8,9)
- It causes us to want Jesus more.
- It aids revelation (1 Cor. 2:10)
- Divine power produces spiritual peace and meltal calmness that only God can give. (Romans 14:17)
Difference between Divine Power and Magic
- The source of Divine Power is God, where as magic is rooted in less powerful spiritual entities like the fallen angels.
- Divine power feeds man’s soul while magic fuels man’s earthly passions.
- Divine power causes us to want Jesus Christ to receive the credit and Glory while magic manipulates man’s heart to desire more and more personal game and fortune.
- Divine power helps people live for what is holy and eternal whereas magic and sorcery leads people to settle for a cheap counterfeit to what is eternal (2 Pet. 1:3)
- Divine power leads people to Christ but magic is not designed to leave people to Jesus.
- Divine power produces humility within those who submit to God when sorcery stirs up pride in those who engage in it.
CONCLUSION
Man is created as a spiritual being with a body and this makes him prone to seeking out spiritual power of one kind or another. Divine power is present wherever God is present. The Church needs to awaken to who we are and and whose we are. When we become increasingly aware of the authority that we carry as royal sons and daughters, then we can be able to know the power available to us and learn how to release it.