₦airaland Forum

Acts 1:8
[8]But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

I'd suggest you read that text in this manner: "After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, ye shall receive ability - the knowledge to witness unto me..."

Growing up as a child in the 90s I attended a primary school that was ran by Catholic missionaries. On our school badge was the school moto: "Knowledge is power." I didn't understand that phrase until the grew up and discovered that the most influential and powerful men of this world are those with a specialized kind of knowledge. The likes of Elon Musk, Bill Gate, Peter Thiel, Dangote, Einstein etc.

This brings home the idea that Jesus wants his disciples to be influential and powerful upon the earth in bringing many to Christ that is reason he sent the Holy Ghost upon them to endue them with the knowledge of the things of God's.

You see, many believers are still waiting for a "power surge" kind of experience when they talk about receiving the Holy Ghost.
They expect to shake, to shout, or fall under the anointing so powerfully during this experience. But that’s not what Jesus meant in Acts 1:8

Permit me to hold your hand and take you through the Scriptures.

We need to understand that the purpose of the Spirit upon a man is KNOWLEDGE
1 Corinthians 2:12 tells us why God gave us the Spirit:
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; *that we might know* the things that are freely given to us of God."

While the spirit of the world brings confusion, fear, and anxiety.
The Spirit of God brings KNOWLEDGE.
The word knowledge in Greek `gnosis` means insight, revelation, understanding.

Put slightly differently, If the Spirit is upon you, your primary evidence should be that you KNOW God more.

The "Power" in Acts 1:8 Is not an electric surge kind of experience, rather it is the power to testify about Jesus accurately.
Look closely at the verse. Jesus didn’t stop at "you shall receive power". He gave the purpose of that power: "...and ye shall be WITNESSES unto me"

In my undergraduate days at the university I did a course in philosophy "The Aristotle Four Principles of Causation." And one of those principles is causa finalis known as the principle of finality, which state that there's a final purpose of any thing, word, or idea. The final purpose of a car is not luxury but to commute man from point A to B at the least amount of time.

So, the purpose of "power" in Acts 1:8 is the knowledge to witness Christ. A witness in court doesn’t need the theatrics of demonstration. A witness needs FACTS.
He needs to know what he saw, what he heard, and be able to explain it clearly.

You cannot witness what you do not know.
That’s why Jesus said in John 15:26-27:
"But when the Comforter is come... he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness." In other words, the Spirit testifies of Christ first in us. Then we testify the same message.

We must understand that power without knowledge is just noise. This is why we have a lot of noise in the church but few witnesses:
Romans 10:2 "They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."

The apostles in Acts didn’t just shake. They preached with knowledge. You see, before the Holy Ghost came upon the apostles, Jesus sent them out to preach but they preached Christ they didn't know. They preached the kingdom without knowledge. But after the Holy Ghost came upon them and they receive the knowledge of the things of God by the Spirit, Peter stood and quoted Joel, Psalms, and David for 10 verses in Acts 2:16-36. That’s knowledge. Stephen gave Israel’s entire history from Abraham to Moses Acts 7. That’s knowledge. And Paul reasoned with the Jews out of the scriptures for three Sabbath days (three weeks) Acts 17:2-3. That’s knowledge.

Put somewhat differently, the "power" was clarity, boldness, and conviction that came from knowing.

In conclusion, the Holy Spirit came to make us Knowledgeable of the things of God. The Holy Spirit did not come upon you to make you vibrate and have a spiritual sensation, he came upon you to make you KNOW.

A better way to read Acts 1:8 is " After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, you shall receive the ability to know and declare Me..." because scripture says, "...we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."



Do not hoard knowledge, propagate!

Jesus is Lord

Please share with friends

Please share this message on your blogs and Whatsapp platform

We have received the Spirit of God that we may know what is freely given to us by God

ocnovakmichael:
Acts 1:8
[8]But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

I'd suggest you read that text in this manner: "After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, ye shall receive ability - the knowledge to witness unto me..."

Growing up as a child in the 90s I attended a primary school that was ran by Catholic missionaries. On our school badge was the school moto: "Knowledge is power." I didn't understand that phrase until the grew up and discovered that the most influential and powerful men of this world are those with a specialized kind of knowledge. The likes of Elon Musk, Bill Gate, Peter Thiel, Dangote, Einstein etc.

This brings home the idea that Jesus wants his disciples to be influential and powerful upon the earth in bringing many to Christ that is reason he sent the Holy Ghost upon them to endue them with the knowledge of the things of God's.

You see, many believers are still waiting for a "power surge" kind of experience when they talk about receiving the Holy Ghost.
They expect to shake, to shout, or fall under the anointing so powerfully during this experience. But that’s not what Jesus meant in Acts 1:8

Permit me to hold your hand and take you through the Scriptures.

We need to understand that the purpose of the Spirit upon a man is KNOWLEDGE
1 Corinthians 2:12 tells us why God gave us the Spirit:
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; *that we might know* the things that are freely given to us of God."

While the spirit of the world brings confusion, fear, and anxiety.
The Spirit of God brings KNOWLEDGE.
The word knowledge in Greek `gnosis` means insight, revelation, understanding.

Put slightly differently, If the Spirit is upon you, your primary evidence should be that you KNOW God more.

The "Power" in Acts 1:8 Is not an electric surge kind of experience, rather it is the power to testify about Jesus accurately.
Look closely at the verse. Jesus didn’t stop at "you shall receive power". He gave the purpose of that power: "...and ye shall be WITNESSES unto me"

In my undergraduate days at the university I did a course in philosophy "The Aristotle Four Principles of Causation." And one of those principles is causa finalis known as the principle of finality, which state that there's a final purpose of any thing, word, or idea. The final purpose of a car is not luxury but to commute man from point A to B at the least amount of time.

So, the purpose of "power" in Acts 1:8 is the knowledge to witness Christ. A witness in court doesn’t need the theatrics of demonstration. A witness needs FACTS.
He needs to know what he saw, what he heard, and be able to explain it clearly.

You cannot witness what you do not know.
That’s why Jesus said in John 15:26-27:
"But when the Comforter is come... he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness." In other words, the Spirit testifies of Christ first in us. Then we testify the same message.

We must understand that power without knowledge is just noise. This is why we have a lot of noise in the church but few witnesses:
Romans 10:2 "They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."

The apostles in Acts didn’t just shake. They preached with knowledge. You see, before the Holy Ghost came upon the apostles, Jesus sent them out to preach but they preached Christ they didn't know. They preached the kingdom without knowledge. But after the Holy Ghost came upon them and they receive the knowledge of the things of God's by the Spirit, Peter stood and quoted Joel, Psalms, and David for 10 verses in Acts 2:16-36. That’s knowledge. Stephen gave Israel’s entire history from Abraham to Moses Acts 7. That’s knowledge. And Paul reasoned with the Jews out of the scriptures for three Sabbath days (three weeks) Acts 17:2-3. That’s knowledge.

Put somewhat differently, the "power" was clarity, boldness, and conviction that came from knowing.

In conclusion, the Holy Spirit came to make us Knowledgeable of the things of God. The Holy Spirit did not come upon you to make you vibrate and have a spiritual sensation, he came upon you to make you KNOW.

A better way to read Acts 1:8 is " After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, you shall receive the ability to know and declare Me..." because scripture says, "...we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."



Do not hoard knowledge, propagate!

Jesus is Lord

Stop twisting the Scripture. Power was the word clearly stated there.

Truvelisback:
Stop twisting the Scripture. Power was the word clearly stated there.

I know power was clearly stated, but what is the purpose of the power? To make you speak in tongues? To make you have spiritual experiences? To make you vibrate and shake in church?

This is the purpose: to have the knowledge to witness Christ with boldness upon the earth.
After that the Spirit came upon Peter he preached Christ boldly. After the Spirit came upon Stephen he preached Christ. After the Spirit came upon Paul he preached Christ.

And Paul writing to the church at Ephesus prayed saying:
Ephesians 1:17-18
[17]That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
[18]The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

You see, Paul prayed that God would grant the saints at Ephesus the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that the eyes of their understanding might be enlightened to know...

The Holy Spirit is not two or twins. The same Holy Spirit which was spoke about in Acts 1:8 is the same Holy Spirit Paul said would enlighten the saints at Ephesus to know the hope of God's calling in their lives: that is, to be a witness of Christ upon the earth.

Please share this article

ocnovakmichael:
I know power was clearly stated, but what is the purpose of the power? To make you speak in tongues? To make you have spiritual experiences? To make you vibrate and shake in church?

This is the purpose: to have the knowledge to witness Christ with boldness upon the earth.
After that the Spirit came upon Peter he preached Christ boldly. After the Spirit came upon Stephen he preached Christ. After the Spirit came upon Paul he preached Christ.

And Paul writing to the church at Ephesus prayed saying:
Ephesians 1:17-18
[17]That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
[18]The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

You see, Paul prayed that God would grant the saints at Ephesus the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that the eyes of their understanding might be enlightened to know...

The Holy Spirit is not two or twins. The same Holy Spirit which was spoke about in Acts 1:8 is the same Holy Spirit Paul said would enlighten the saints at Ephesus to know the hope of God's calling in their lives: that is, to be a witness of Christ upon the earth.

The purpose of the power is to be a witness unto Christ by doing the works of Christ e.g having the boldness to preaching the gospel, healing the sick and raising the dead etc. They already had the knowledge of Christ because they were physically with Him and we're taught by Him.

The prophets of the last days will not be given supernatural powers to perform signs but boldness to preach and teach due to their love for God just as ancient prophets who never perform any signs.
So if you are expecting supernatural signs from God's modern day servants you will end up following false prophets! Matthew 7:21-23

Truvelisback:
The purpose of the power is to be a witness unto Christ by doing the works of Christ e.g having the boldness to preaching the gospel, healing the sick and raising the dead etc. They already had the knowledge of Christ because they were physically with Him and we're taught by Him.

Brother you're not far from the truth. But the fact remains that to heal the sick you need knowledge. To raise the dead you need knowledge. That is the essence of the Holy Ghost: that you may KNOW the hope of God's calling, and the exceeding greatness of his power in you who believe in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:18-19).

MaxInDHouse:
The prophets of the last days will not be given supernatural powers to perform signs but boldness to preach and teach due to their love for God just as ancient prophets who never perform any signs.
So if you are expecting supernatural signs from God's modern day servants you will end up following false prophets! Matthew 7:21-23

Brother, the prophets of the last days will have supernatural powers to do the works of Christ because Jesus said these signs shall follow the believing ones... And the book of Hebrews spoke about those who would have the powers of the world to come ( this is gifts of the Spirit).

Please be a blessing by sharing this article

ocnovakmichael:
Brother, the prophets of the last days will have supernatural powers to do the works of Christ because Jesus said these signs shall follow the believing ones... And the book of Hebrews spoke about those who would have the powers of the world to come ( this is gifts of the Spirit).

Highlighted was inserted in the Bible book of Mark please check various versions to see if these verses are found in ancient manuscripts of the Bible.
Secondly the power promised is to do the PREACHING and TEACHING work Jesus assigned to his disciples {Act 1:8} as for supernatural powers it was meant for only disciples who were Jews alone {Matthew 15:24} and it stopped in the first century after the Bible has been completed. 1Corinthans 13:8-10

Today true Christians are no longer performing miracles we only show our LOVE for God and neighbors {Mark 12:29-31 compare to 1Corinthans 13:13} as we continue preaching and teaching in all our neighborhood without let up. Matthew 24:14

Of course our God works miracles when we least expected that is why we can't keep it on record so we don't go about broadcasting it because there is no visible evidence except those involved and we believe their testimony!

ocnovakmichael:
Brother you're not far from the truth. But the fact remains that to heal the sick you need knowledge. To raise the dead you need knowledge. That is the essence of the Holy Ghost: that you may KNOW the hope of God's calling, and the exceeding greatness of his power in you who believe in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:18-19).

What knowledge do they still need? These guys have been with Jesus and they have seen Him healing the sick and raising the dead. That's how they got the name "Christian". All they need is faith and power to carry out all these of which they have received.

Truvelisback:
What knowledge do they still need? These guys have been with Jesus and seen have seen Him healing the sick and raising the dead. That's how they got the name "Christian". All they need is faith and power to carry out all these of which they have received.

Indeed they walk with Christ but they have no knowledge of who he is or the purpose for which he came to die. You see, before Jesus' ascension, his disciples asked him a question that betrays their ignorance: they inquired of him on the way

Acts 1:6
[6]When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

The disciples thought Jesus came to restore Israel from the clutches of the Romans. They had no idea why he came until the Holy Ghost came upon them. This was the reason Jesus said to them: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).

The Holy Spirit came to guide them into all truth. And truth is a product of knowledge because Jesus said: "... and ye shall KNOW the truth and the truth shall set you free."

Please share this gospel

Please share this article

ocnovakmichael:
Indeed they walk with Christ but they have no knowledge of who he is or the purpose for which he came to die. You see, before Jesus' ascension, his disciples asked him a question that betrays their ignorance: they inquired of him on the way

Acts 1:6
[6]When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

The disciples thought Jesus came to restore Israel from the clutches of the Romans. They had no idea why he came until the Holy Ghost came upon them. This was the reason Jesus said to them: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).

The Holy Spirit came to guide them into all truth. And truth is a product of knowledge because Jesus said: "... and ye shall KNOW the truth and the truth shall set you free."

Peter knew who Jesus is and Jesus confirmed it. And Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples and His purpose of coming to this to the world in several places in the Bible.

Truvelisback:
Peter knew who Jesus is and Jesus confirmed it. And Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples and His purpose of coming to this to the world in several places in the Bible.

Yes Jesus indeed revealed his purpose upon the earth to his disciples, however, they did not understand it not until the Holy Ghost endue them power.

When Jesus sent them to preach they preached and cast out devils in Jesus' name. Notwithstanding, they had no idea that Jesus was the one they've been waiting for as preached by the prophets. This is obvious because for everytime the disciples preached, they made no reference of Jesus to the prophecies of old. But when the Holy Ghost came upon the disciples Peter preached Jesus by quoting the prophet Joel, David, Joseph In Acts; Stephen preached Jesus by quoting Moses and Isaiah; Paul preached Jesus by quoting Isaiah and some of the prophets

ocnovakmichael:
Yes Jesus indeed revealed his purpose upon the earth to his disciples, however, they did not understand it not until the Holy Ghost endue them power.

When Jesus sent them to preach they preached and cast out devils in Jesus' name. Notwithstanding, they had no idea that Jesus was the one they've been waiting for as preached by the prophets. This is obvious because for everytime the disciples preached, they made no reference of Jesus to the prophecies of old. But when the Holy Ghost came upon the disciples Peter preached Jesus by quoting the prophet Joel, David, Joseph In Acts; Stephen preached Jesus by quoting Moses and Isaiah; Paul preached Jesus by quoting Isaiah and some of the prophets

You have answered the question. What did they use to cast out devils? Knowledge or power?

Truvelisback:
You have answered the question. What did they use to cast out devils? Knowledge or power?

They cast out devils by the knowledge of the power in name of the Lord Jesus. They couldn't have had the power without knowledge: knowledge is power.

2 Peter 1:3
[3]According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:


DId you notice in that text that the divine power comes through knowledge? The Holy Spirit came to empower the disciples and at large all Christians through knowledge.
The Lord Jesus said, you shall KNOW the truth and through the knowledge of the truth you shall be set free, and also able to set others free.

Please read and share this article

The Holy Spirit came to endue us with the knowledge of the power which God wrought in Christ when he raised Christ up from the dead

1 Corinthians 2:12
[12]Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might KNOW the things that are freely given to us of God.

2 Peter 1:3
[3]According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

ocnovakmichael:
They cast out devils by the knowledge of the power in name of the Lord Jesus. They couldn't have had the power without knowledge: knowledge is power.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ‭Matthew 7:21-23 NIV‬

Jesus said he will shock them saying he doesn't know them.

Please despite driving out demons do such ones have the knowledge of God?

If they do how come they don't know that Jesus didn't approve their works? 😟

MaxInDHouse:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ‭Matthew 7:21-23 NIV‬

Jesus said he will shock them saying he doesn't know them.

Please despite driving out demons do such ones have the knowledge of God?

If they do how come they don't know that Jesus didn't approve their works? 😟

Just because you can cast out devils or preach a good sermon doesn't exempt you from judgement. Scripture says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Yes, they have the power but they still have to work in line with God's word otherwise they will become a cast away. Paul was well aware of the truth when he declared to the saints at Corinth:

1 Corinthians 9:27
[27]But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Please share this article with loved ones

So Paul had the knowledge of God but anyone who doesn't have the knowledge may drive out demons that doesn't mean such a person is a servant of God!

ocnovakmichael:
They cast out devils by the knowledge of the power in name of the Lord Jesus.

The above is what you need to correct.

Whoever is knowledgeable about Christ will humbly follow with wisdom!

ocnovakmichael:
Just because you can cast out devils or preach a good sermon doesn't exempt you from judgement. Scripture says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Yes, they have the power but they still have to work in line with God's word otherwise they will become a cast away. Paul was well aware of the truth when he declared to the saints at Corinth:

1 Corinthians 9:27
[27]But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

.

Op I hear say jesus was 71 yrs old when he died is it true

Any power that cannot generate electricity or power a nuclear reactor, or create jobs, is COMPLETELY USELESS in 2026.

MaxInDHouse:
The prophets of the last days will not be given supernatural powers to perform signs but boldness to preach and teach due to their love for God just as ancient prophets who never perform any signs.
So if you are expecting supernatural signs from God's modern day servants you will end up following false prophets! Matthew 7:21-23

Not all prophets performed signs and wonders. But Elijah and Elisha did. Moses did. You can't say old prophets never performed signs. Everyone is given grace in certain areas whether new or old.

Stop twisting the scripture.

If all that you deduced from that scripture is knowledge, but not spiritual power, then you're twisting it to suit your narrative.

Tell me, the 3 and half years Jesus spent with His disciples, what kind of knowledge did He imparted them?

If you reduce Acts 1:8 to knowledge, then all Christians should do what Peter and John did.

Read ACTS OF THE APOSTLES again with the lens of the Spirit, not as a letter (which indeed destroys), you'd discover that one particular guy had John's baptism alone, and he was preaching until he met the right people who expounded the word of truth to him and got him baptised in the Holy Ghost.

Beware of the letter of the scripture, it would "kill", let the Holy Spirit breath life to you whenever your study the scripture because the flesh profits nothing, but the Spirit gives life.

May God grant you understanding.