The Witness of Power

1 Corinthians 4:20 (KJV)
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

It is important that as followers of Christ we have to ensure that we are totally led by the Holy Spirit and not just by what we read. The Bible is a tool that God gave us to instruct us, guide us, and show us how to be effective witnesses for Him. One may merely read the Bible just for information and revelation but the Word of God is meant to not only provide information but more importantly provide transformation in our lives. In order for someone to accurately perceive someone who claims to be a Christian they need proof. In other words they need more than just someone saying I’m a Christian, and Jesus loves you. The world needs to witness what being a follower of Christ is. As soon as the church gets on one accord with this, the world will no longer be able to deny the power of God.

Acts 4:13-21 (KJV)
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

The above scriptures tell of the time when Peter and John are before the council. The council did not like the fact that they were preaching Christ and also understood that a miracle had been performed on a lame man. As you see they could not deny the power of God nor find a way to punish them because all the men glorified God. If this doesn’t show you how we ought to be I don’t know what does. When everyone comes on one accord and just gives God the glory the world will bow. It’s not about which preacher is right, about different intricacies of the Bible. It’s not about judging others if they slip and fall from time to time. If we all just give God the glory in all things the Holy Spirit will led us in all things. Many walk around puffed up because they may be more knowledgeable in God’s Word than another but I say are you displaying power with what you know? The ones around you do they just see you as someone who just talks or as one who performs?

Acts 2:22 (KJV)
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.

Jesus was approved (exhibited, pointed out...) by God not because of how much He knew but because of what He did. God performed many miracles through Jesus, and He wants to do the same through you.
Now a miracle is much more that just healing someone, the word in the Greek there is dynamis:
1) Strength power, ability
a) Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
b) Power for performing miracles
c) Moral power and excellence of soul
d) The power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
e) Power and resources arising from numbers
f) Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

Now, miracles do consist of supernatural healing but also excellence of soul. As followers of Christ we are to exhibit miracles on a daily basis. When Jesus was on the cross being crucified and he said Father forgive them for they know not what they do, this was a miracle. Young men when a woman comes to you and offers herself to you and you resist the temptation, this is a miracle. Young women when you find out that someone has been talking about you behind your back and you choose not to hold that person at fault, this is a miracle. It’s time to begin to expand our minds beyond the traditions that we have been accustomed too. It’s time to not only know Word but actually display its power.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org