CHARGING TO FULL POWER
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave His followers a mission that would change the world. But interestingly, He did not tell them to rush out and start working immediately. Instead, He told them to wait.
In Luke 24:47–49, Jesus declares that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations” and then says something surprising: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (NKJV). Later, in Acts 1:8, Jesus repeats this promise: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”
The disciples had walked with Jesus for three years. They had heard His teaching, seen miracles, and witnessed His resurrection. Yet Jesus still said, “Wait.” Why? Because information alone was not enough. Passion alone was not enough. Even good intentions were not enough. They needed the Holy Spirit.
Jesus understood something we often forget: God’s mission cannot be accomplished through human strength alone. The disciples could have chased influence, gathered crowds, or tried to build a movement through charisma and strategy. Instead, Jesus redirected them away from worldly power and toward spiritual power.
The New Testament scholar John Stott observed in The Message of Acts that the church’s witness is impossible apart from the Spirit because “the Holy Spirit is the chief evangelist.” In other words, Christians are not called to manufacture spiritual results through personality or persuasion. We are called to faithfully witness while depending on God’s power.
This matters deeply today. We live in a culture obsessed with influence, platform, and control. Even Christians can drift into believing that bigger budgets, sharper branding, or stronger personalities are what transform lives. Yet Scripture consistently points us elsewhere. The power Jesus promised was not political power, social power, or personal power—it was Holy Spirit power.
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness for Christ, but not only with words. He transforms our lives so our character reflects Jesus. The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:22–23 that the Spirit produces fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. A Christ-like life becomes part of our witness.
Have you ever noticed how some people quietly point others to Jesus without preaching a sermon? Their patience during suffering, kindness in conflict, or peace in hardship speaks volumes. That is the Spirit at work. As theologian J. I. Packer wrote in Keep in Step with the Spirit, the Spirit’s ministry is always to magnify Christ, shaping believers to resemble Him.
Of course, this does not mean Christians sit passively waiting forever. The disciples waited in Jerusalem because Jesus commanded it—but once the Spirit came at Pentecost, everything changed. Fearful followers became bold witnesses. Peter, who once denied Jesus, stood publicly proclaiming the gospel (Acts 2). The difference was not newfound confidence in themselves; it was dependence on the Spirit.
Perhaps that is the invitation for us today. Instead of asking, “How can I become more impressive?” maybe we should ask, “Holy Spirit, how can I become more available?” God is not searching for perfect people. He empowers willing people.
Jesus never intended His followers to live the Christian life through sheer determination. The Christian life is supernatural at its core. We need the Holy Spirit—not only to speak about Christ, but to live like Christ.
So before we rush ahead in our own strength, maybe we should learn from the disciples and wait on God again. Because the greatest witness for Jesus is not worldly power dressed up in religious language—it is ordinary believers filled with the extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit.
Sources:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version (Luke 24:47–49; Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22–23)
The Message of Acts by John Stott
Keep in Step with the Spirit by J. I. Packer