Clothed with Power

Clothed with Power from on High

Acts 8:18-24; Luke 24:49

Living without the fullness of the Holy Spirit is living as orphans. Yet Jesus promised, I will not leave you as orphans/comfortless: I will send you another comforter who will help you and teach you all things (John 14:18).  God is carrying out his work on earth through the Holy Spirit, his word and his people. When the Holy Spirit is at work through and among God’s people mission barriers fall away (Acts 8:25).

I. Cross cultural barriers. God’s presence melted away cross-cultural barriers. The Jews and Samaritans were sworn enemies. Each group had its own temple, and its own priesthood. Each group claimed to be the true Israel of God. Yet when the Apostles who were Jews came, cultural difference was not an issue. Their ministry among the Samaritans required uncommon cultural accommodation. We can only be a multicultural church if the Holy Spirit is evidently working in and among us.

II. Financial barriers. That which troubles modern churches – money – troubled the NT church the least. Wherever God is truly at work, resources are abundant. God’s people willingly give and receive God’s blessing as a result.  Peter and John could even afford to reject Simon’s ill-conceived offer of money (Acts 8:8:20).

III. Natural barriers. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit or supernatural manifestations, human limitations are overcome. Acts 8 gives an example (Acts 8:21, 23). Key bible teaching on spiritual gifts is found in 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 12:3-8. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-10, 28-30; 14 and Ephesians 4:11.  We must not be ignorant of the operation of the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1, 31). In fact we must desire to be used in manifesting the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1, 12, 39). Any believer can exercise spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:7; 12:7, 11; 14:26, 31).  The gifts are diverse and given by the same Spirit as He wills to every person for the benefit of all (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11; Romans 12:6). They are given at specific moments for specific purposes. The motivation for spiritual gifts is love (1 Corinthians 13). Character comes before charisma (Galatians 5:22-23).  Further, test everything to see whether it is coming from God. The devil and his demons counterfeit the gifts of the Holy Spirit. All gifts require faith and boldness to be exercised. The gifts work with each other. The nine spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 are:

A. VOCAL GIFTS  

1) Speaking in Tongues: Speaking in a language unknown to the speaker that will praise God and edify the spirit of the speaker. A prayer language not learnt but given intuitively by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14).  The Apostle Paul said, ‘forbid not speaking in tongues’ (1 Corinthians 14:5, 18, 39). For personal edification/growth/refreshing (1 Corinthians 14:4, 28; Isaiah 28:11, 12). It is a prayer aid (1 Corinthians 14:2; Romans 8:26). It was an initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit in Initial evidence in book of Acts 2:4, 10:46 and 19:6. It is also surrendering your control center to the Holy Spirit/God (James 1:26; 3:1a, 11; Ephesians 4:29).

2) Interpretation of Tongues: Ability to interpret tongues spoken in a believer’s meeting in order to edify not just the speaker but also everyone present (1 Corinthians 14:13, 15, 22, 23).

3) Prophecy: Bringing forth a message from God in the language of the hearer to instruct, edify, exhort or comfort them (1 Corinthians 14:3). This can be foretelling the future or forth telling a current message. Prophecy is better than tongues in speaking to others (1 Corinthians 14:6).  Paul exhorted all believers to be eager to prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1, 39).  We prophecy in part (1 Corinthians 13:9). All prophesy must be judged (1 Corinthians 14:29). One who prophesies is responsible for its use or abuse (1 Corinthians 14:32). Prophesy will cease but love will not (1 Corinthians 13: 8). Wait upon the lord. And when you sense he has given you a message step out in faith. Everything in an assembly must be done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Corinthians 14:26-30).

B. REVELATION Gifts

1) Word of Knowledge: Receiving through supernatural intuition/impartation some information from God, of something not reasoned or previously known, concerning any given situation. For example Peter knew Simon’s heart (Acts 8:21, 23).  Other examples are in John 1:47-50; John 4:18-20; 11:11-14; Acts 5:1-11; 9:10-20; 1 Kings 19:9. Both the Old and New Testament have many other examples. The gift often works with word of wisdom.

2) Word of Wisdom: Supernaturally receiving instruction from God on what to do or say in a given situation. The gift enables one to speak and act in divine wisdom and correct use of all other gifts. It provides immediate wisdom for a situation/need anywhere - in church, at work or at home. e.g.  Luke 4:1-13; 21:14, 15; John 8:3-11; Acts 6:1-5 and Acts 15:28

3) Discerning of Spirits: Supernatural impartation of information from God concerning the presence, and nature of spirits about which the believer by his five senses cannot know. It helps to distinguish between good and evil spirits (Acts 8:21, 23).   

C. POWER GIFTS - power is the ability to make things happen

1) Gift of Faith (Believing): A special impartation of faith given by the Holy Spirit to bring to pass the impossible at the believer's command according to the promises made to us in the Word of God, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, and/or discerning of spirits. It is a supernatural emptying of doubt and fear (1 Kings 17:1; 19:4; Joshua 10:12-14; Acts 13:11).   It works together with gifts of working of miracles and healings. The results may not always be immediate but are sure (Mark 11:13, 20; Job 22:28)

2) Working of Miracles: Empowered by the Holy Spirit to do something supernatural that defies explanation or exceeds natural law in the name of Jesus Christ. A miracle is God’s intervention in the ordinary course of nature (Acts 4:30, 33) for healing, deliverance, provision, protection, etc.  It proves that Jesus is alive – by showing that he is still doing what he did when he was on earth. It inspires boldness and hunger in the hearts of believers (Acts 4:4, 13, 21, 29, 30, 31, 33; 5:28, 330. It brings glory to God (Acts 4:21; 5:14-16; 8:5; 9:42; 14:8-18).

3) Gifts of Healing. Supernatural ministry to heal types of ailments and restore infirmities/ deformities to normality without natural means. This manifestation is confirmation of God’s word (Mark 16:17-20, Acts 7:29, 30, 33) and an extension of working miracles. It is administered by laying on of hands, shadow, point of contact (Acts 5:15, 16) and by speaking/commanding things into being. The power of the Holy Spirit comes over a person to dissolve their disease and drive out pain. There are no examples of praying for the sick but of healing the sick (1 Corinthians 12: 4-7, 9, 28, 30). Healing brings glory to God (Mark 2:12: Luke 13:13, 18:43; John 9:2, 3; 2 Kings 5:10-14; 20:8-11). It is always God’s desire to heal. By the stripes of Jesus we were healed (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). Jesus healed those who came to him - the sick must come to Jesus as an exercise of their faith and cooperation.  Healing also is at best when the atmosphere is supporting.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa