Acts 1:8; “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV)
The role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for service is a central theme in the New Testament. Acts 1:8 is a key verse that highlights how the Holy Spirit equips and empowers Christians to be effective witnesses for Christ. Let’s explore four areas using the Bible as the template to show how the Holy Spirit enables believers for service.
Empowerment for Witnessing – Acts 1:8
The primary empowerment that the Holy Spirit gives is to make believers bold and effective witnesses for Christ. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises His disciples that when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they will receive power. This power wasn’t just for personal benefit but for the purpose of witnessing to others about Jesus “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The Apostles at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4, 14) as a case of empowerment by the Holy-Spirit for witnessing and advancing God’s Kingdom on earth
In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes upon the apostles, and they immediately begin to speak in tongues, sharing the wonders of God with people from different nations (Acts 2:4-11). Peter, who had previously denied Jesus out of fear, boldly stood up and preached to a large crowd. His sermon led to 3,000 people accepting Christ that day (Acts 2:41). This is a powerful example of how the Holy Spirit emboldened and empowered Peter and the apostles to spread the gospel effectively.
Empowerment for Spiritual Gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
The Holy Spirit also empowers believers with spiritual gifts, which are abilities given for the common good and the edification of the church. These gifts include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NKJV): “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all… But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
The Holy Spirit equips each believer with specific gifts to fulfil their role in the Body of Christ and to serve others in various capacities. These gifts are crucial for the work of ministry and for advancing God’s kingdom on earth.
Stephen’s Ministry (Acts 6:8) as an example of being empowered by the Holy-Spirit to perform signs and wonders
Stephen, one of the first deacons, was filled with the Holy Spirit and performed “great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Stephen, empowered by the Spirit, was able to serve the early church in both practical ways such as the daily distribution of food to the community of believers in the early church (Acts 6:2-6) and spiritual ways, boldly proclaiming the gospel even in the face of persecution.
Therefore, the Holy Spirit empowers us for both physical and spiritual exploits. For example, the Holy Spirit enables you to excel in your career while also granting you the gift of the word of knowledge, providing supernatural insight into a work-colleague’s problem. Through this spiritual manifestation, your colleague becomes amazed that God would reveal to you something personal to them that nobody in this world knows. The Holy-Spirit through the manifestation of this gift, touches his heart for him to easily give his life to Christ without much preaching, thereby adding one more soul to God’s kingdom.
Empowerment for Boldness – 2 Timothy 1:7
The Holy Spirit empowers believers with courage and removes fear. Paul reminds Timothy of this truth when he writes: 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV): “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
The Spirit empowers believers to overcome fear and timidity, giving them the boldness to preach the gospel and stand for the truth in difficult circumstances. The Holy-Spirit also empowers us as believers to overcome every type of fear that the enemy fires at us to bring limitations to our lives and destinies.
Paul’s Boldness and fearlessness (Acts 9:20, 13:9-10) as an example of being empowered by the Holy-Spirit
When Paul was first converted, the Holy Spirit immediately empowered him to boldly preach about Christ (Acts 9:20). Later in his ministry, Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, courageously rebuked a false prophet named Elymas who opposed the gospel (Acts 13:9-10). This boldness and fearlessness came directly from the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Paul empowered by the Holy-Spirit, decreed God’s judgement on Elymas, he became blind, and when the governor of that province saw that Elymas, a powerful sorcerer was completely brought down by God’s power, he gave his life to Christ (Acts 13:12).
As believers, through the empowerment of the Holy-Spirit we can make decrees that align with God’s word and will, and expect that they will come to pass. God does this because it will ultimately lead to the advancement of His kingdom here on earth and also the establishment of God’s purpose for your life.
Empowerment for Endurance in Trials – Acts 4:31
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to endure persecution and trials while remaining faithful to their calling. Acts 4:31 (NKJV) states, “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
Even after being threatened by the authorities, the early believers were filled with the Holy Spirit a second time, and this second in-filing of the Holy-Spirit empowered them to continue proclaiming the gospel with boldness and with awesome signs following.
As believers we should seek and pray for a daily fresh infilling of the Holy-Spirit, because the anointing for yesterday will not be enough for today’s demands on your walk with God and dealing with the vicissitudes of life that will come our way.
Paul and Silas in Prison (Acts 16:25-26) as an example of empowerment by the Holy-Spirit to not only endure trials but also overcome them
Paul and Silas, after being beaten and imprisoned, prayed and sang hymns to God. Despite their suffering, they were filled with the Spirit’s power to endure and still worship God in spirit and truth. In response, God miraculously freed them from their chains, and the jailer came to faith in Christ (Acts 16:31-34). God’s empowerment through the Holy-Spirit enables you to endure and overcome trials, serving as a testament to unbelievers who witness His power in your life. This demonstration of God’s power in your life will compel them to give their lives to Christ.
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit’s role in empowering believers is essential for fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives. Without the empowerment of the Holy-Spirit we cannot live an excelling life in ministry or destiny. Whether it is through boldness, spiritual gifts, guidance (see article; How the Holy Spirit leads believers (1) – Feast of light), or endurance, the Spirit equips Christians to witness and serve in ways that go beyond human ability. Acts 1:8 captures this truth: the Holy Spirit empowers believers not for their own benefit but for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.
This empowerment is not limited to the early church; it is available to all believers today in the 21st century who truly seek God in spirit and truth. As we yield to the Holy Spirit and depend on His power, we can serve God faithfully and effectively in whatever mission He has called us to.
God bless you in Jesus Name. Amen
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name
Prayer: Holy-Ghost my God, please overshadow me with your presence and power to do exploits for God’s kingdom here on earth, in Jesus Name
Feast of Light Word Ministry
