Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge - Christianity Etc (2)

Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge - Christianity Etc (2) - Nairaland

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Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by reubenobi(m): 12:12pm On Aug 30

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

oga stop downplaying power. You want to take away the power in Jesus knowing fully well that with power you can penetrate the heart of men that have been hardened. You want to speak with mere words. You people try to use persuasive words thinking it will help.

1 Like

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by bixton(m): 12:24pm On Aug 30

MaxInDHouse:
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!

You can't be said to.be completely true witnesses of Christ Jesus if you can't do those signs which He did and Christ Jesus said, more than these shall be done.

Whether you believe it or not, it's up to you. If you say it's inserted in the Book of Mark, so you mean to say all those performing the signs and miracles are just doing a theatrical performance or by what power do.you think it's been done!!!! huh

1 Like

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by Iykenuwa(m): 12:27pm On Aug 30

Quick question: what did the disciples receive on the day of Pentecost, knowledge or power?

1 Like

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by CaseSensitive(m): 12:30pm On Aug 30

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

It's basic sense. It just eludes some people.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by smokinloud(m): 12:40pm On Aug 30*

Did they receive power in that chapter and then witnessed Christ with boldness?. YES. Stop misrepresenting the bible.

What you don't know about the kingdom of God is this, a Kingdom needs power to reign. As a matter of fact, the word translated as church in the Bible "ἐκκλησία" "Ecclesia" means a political/democratic gathering that seeks political power in ancient Greek. Jesus intention was never to establish a religion on earth but to run a Kingdom where he forever reigns according to the scriptures which earlier prophesied that he would be worshipped by all nations forever.
Daniel 7:13-14
[13]I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
[14]And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Jesus can't be fulfill this if he does not give his people the power to dominate the world and prevail over every other kingdoms, FOR THE CIVILIZATION BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE CHURCH TO STAND AGAINST ALL ODDS AND DOMINATE TILL TODAY, THERE'S A PEOPLE EQUIPED WITH POWER AND SPIRITUAL FORCE BACKING IT.

1 Like

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by TenQ: 12:42pm On Aug 30

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

Who told you this: just say that God had never once used you in ways that amaze even you!

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by LordIsaac(m): 12:53pm On Aug 30

It's about power...stop adding to Scriptures!

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 12:57pm On Aug 30

Oxygenmayo:
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.

What is your idea of power? Is it to speak in tongues? Is it to fall under the anointing during service? Is it to pray the loudest? All these are fine but scripture have put all these as zeal without knowledge
Romans 10:2
[2]For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

Now my question to you is this: did I twist the scripture when it says that we have received the Spirit of God that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God?
Brother the power cannot be demonstrated without knowledge: knowledge is power.

Jesus said when the Holy Spirit is come he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit did not come to make you shake and break chairs in the church. Speaking in tongues in good to the edification of the believer, speaking to God, and building of the believers' faith in Christ: but speaking in tongues has never brought any man to Christ.
After the disciples received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, they spoke in tongues but nobody was converted until Peter began to preach Jesus through the knowledge of the Spirit of God in him.

More so, in Act the fourth chapter, when Peter and John were being questioned by the priests and elders, Scripture says Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost and began to preach quoting the old prophets that Jesus Christ whom they killed is the bearer of salvation. Now that is knowledge.

Acts 4:7-11
[7]And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
[8]Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
[9]If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
[10]Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
[11]This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
[12]Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Now brother I'm not denying the power, but that power is nothing without knowledge.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by LofP(m): 1:03pm On Aug 30

This is interpreting the Bible out of context.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by Nobellight77(m): 1:10pm On Aug 30

I agree to a degree. Those who wants to call down fire from heaven like Elijah should go for bible studies. That's what they need. Some has been engrossed with the strong desire to demonstrate or display power that they become entangled in the power of darkness. angry

1 Like

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by gbadesky75: 1:12pm On Aug 30

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 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

u people should not teach what you don’t know.the Greek word translated power is Dunamis and it means the dynamic ability to cause changes.do your research before teaching the bible abeg

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 1:13pm On Aug 30

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

But there electricity and those with high paying jobs in the hospital, yet they're still bound until the healing power of God makes them whole.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ZombieDredd: 1:13pm On Aug 30

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 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

No
Power used there is the greek dunamis...which is what it is "POWER"....not knowledge

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 1:22pm On Aug 30

gbadesky75:
u people should not teach what you don’t know.the Greek word translated power is Dunamis and it means the dynamic ability to cause changes.do your research before teaching the bible abeg

Brother you're not far from the truth. I'm not denying dunamis, that is, the power. But power is not demonstrated without knowledge. You see, Peter couldn't have commanded that the lame man at the gate of the temple be healed if he hadn't the knowledge of what the name of Jesus could do. It is the knowledge in the name that produces the faith for that man's healing. And Peter testifying of this power says, the divine power of God comes through knowledge.
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:

Notice that text says, "... His divine power hath he given unto us .... through the knowledge of him (Christ)..."

Now look at the healing of that man to understand that it is through the knowledge of Christ and the power in his name that Peter could command the lame man's healing

Acts 3:1-7
[1]Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
[2]And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
[3]Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
[4]And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
[5]And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
[6]Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
[7]And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by geoworldedu: 1:23pm On Aug 30

Their god is in a spiritual cage but they are gathering in vain. Their eyes must be opened soon. cool

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by Apollux(m): 1:28pm On Aug 30

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..."
Sorry Sir, the very scripture you quoted disagrees with you. The Greek word translated "Power" there is dunamis. The translation is spot on. Dunamis means power, ability, miraculous power. So power was supposed to accompany the apostles' preaching of the gospel. The Holly Spirit is the power that enables miracles as the gospel is preached. Miracles are evidence for the validity of the Gospel. So sir the word there is not knowledge but power. Look at the Greek or better still get an interlinear Greek -English Bible.
Please before you come publicly to teach things triple fact check yourself and be sure you're scripturally accurate. Remember that Bible says: "Be not many teachers for you shall receive the greater condemnation". You're responsible for everything you teach
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

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 1:28pm On Aug 30

geoworldedu:
Their god is in a spiritual cage but they are gathering in vain. Their eyes must be opened soon.

Whose god are you referring to? Because all I can see are Christians reasoning scriptures. Even Paul said the revelation he received of Christ he had to share amongst the chief disciples lest he hath preached in vain

Galatians 2:2
[2]And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 1:30pm On Aug 30

ZombieDredd:
No
Power used there is the greek dunamis...which is what it is "POWER"....not knowledge

Brother I know is power. The question is what is the purpose of the power?

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by femi4: 1:31pm On Aug 30

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 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

Not just knowledge...infact most of them have the knowledge. It is also for BOLDNESS

Your knowledge is useless without the ability to transfer them

2nd Tim 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind

Acts 4:31: "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

"Acts 4:13: "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by orisa37: 1:33pm On Aug 30

YET THERE'S POWER AND MIGHT IN KNOWLEDGE.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by BJanta: 1:34pm On Aug 30

You're very, very , very wrong. Your understanding of the Scripture is nil. GOD says power, your are saying knowledge for a verse that that doesn't even need interpretation. Does knowledge give you ability or means to acquire or contact ability? What Scripture is saying here is that you're going to contact divine power and authority to do what you otherwise can not ordinarily do byyourself or on your own. The HOLYSPIRIT is the divine Enabler. Apostle Paul said in Corinthians and I paraphrase, 'My messages are not fables, but they come down with power and demonstration of the HOLYSPIRIT.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 1:35pm On Aug 30

reubenobi:
oga stop downplaying power. You want to take away the power in Jesus knowing fully well that with power you can penetrate the heart of men that have been hardened. You want to speak with mere words. You people try to use persuasive words thinking it will help.

I'm not downplaying power. Neither am I taking from the scripture. The question is what is the purpose of the power? To speak in tongues? No. To make you shake and have sensation? No.
The power comes with the evidence of speaking in tongues but that is only the beginning not the end. The final purpose of the Holy Spirit is to make you have knowledge in the things of God. 1Corinthians 2 vs 12 put it well, "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."

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 1:42pm On Aug 30

BJanta:
You're very, very , very wrong. Your understanding of the Scripture is nil. GOD says power, your are saying knowledge for a verse that that doesn't even need interpretation. Does knowledge give you ability or means to acquire or contact ability? What Scripture is saying here is that you're going to contact divine power and authority to do what you otherwise can not ordinarily do byyourself or on your own. The HOLYSPIRIT is the divine Enabler. Apostle Paul said in Corinthians and I paraphrase, 'My messages are not fables, but they come down with power and demonstration of the HOLYSPIRIT.

Brother nobody is taking away power from that text but the question is what is the purpose of the power? Jesus said, "After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, you shall receive power to be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in Judea, and the uttermost parts of the earth." The later part of that text informs us of the purpose of that power: it is for witnessing Christ. And a witness does not need the theatrics of demonstration, he needs FACTS.
On the day of Pentecost, the disciples spoke in tongues under the power of the Holy Ghost, yet no one was converted until Peter began to preach Jesus with knowledge, referencing the prophets Joel and David, and over 3,000 souls were converted.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by Hahjascho(m): 1:43pm On Aug 30

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 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

Hmn, it is well.

When it comes to analyzing the word of God, human facts, analogies, quotes have no place. Else, the efficacy of the WORD would be lost.

See this: by AMPC
Acts 1:8- “ But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.”

Yes, the POWER can give you the true KNOWLEDGE of GOD but you can’t reduce it to that. The Holy Spirit is active, divine and He has God qualities. The disciples were going to receive the full empowering presence of God Himself.

Now you see, beyond just the knowledge of HIM, he gives ability, divine enablement, boldness, CAPACITY in fact every good thing God can do etc.

So, “Knowledge is power,” commonly attributed to Francis Bacon (1561–1626) may sounds similar but it’s a philosophical fact on earth.

The power in Acts1:8 is not just some power but the one received through God himself.

Peace.‭‭

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 1:43pm On Aug 30

femi4:
Not just knowledge...infact most of them have the knowledge. It is also for BOLDNESS

Your knowledge is useless without the ability to transfer them

2nd Tim 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind

Brother the courage and Peter came through knowledge of who Christ is

Acts 4:31: "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

"Acts 4:13: "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 1:45pm On Aug 30

LofP:
This is interpreting the Bible out of context.

No brother, you don't want to accept truth when you see it. Deep down in your heart you know this is the truth

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by geoworldedu: 1:45pm On Aug 30

ocnovakmichael:
Whose god are you referring to? Because all I can see are Christians reasoning scriptures. Even Paul said the revelation he received of Christ he had to share amongst the chief disciples lest he hath preached in vain

Galatians 2:2
[2]And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

I'm talking about Jehovah, the god of Christianity. He is currently in a spiritual cage which Otem mentioned to us like a decade ago. The book of Galatians you just quote is the book of this imprisoned god. There are universal books you can quote from. BOOK OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY.

Eta n tagba 4 : 1-3
1. The homos(humans) of Aferk(Africa) have neglected their brains.
2. They have exchanged their religions for the religions of Urope(Europe).
3. They cannot excel beyond the circle.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 1:49pm On Aug 30

Iykenuwa:
Quick question: what did the disciples receive on the day of Pentecost, knowledge or power?

You're missing the point here. The disciples received power but again, what is the end of that power? To shake with sensation? To speak in tongues? To demonstrate the healing and miracle anointing? All these things are good but they're not the ends to which God gave us the Spirit. The purpose of the power is for us to know the things of God.

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.

You see, on the day of Pentecost, the disciples spoke with tongues by the enduement of the Spirit but no one was converted until Peter began to preach Jesus with knowledge.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by vr0xen: 1:52pm On Aug 30

There is no knowledge that is greater than power……… mortal combat annihilation

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by integrity16(m): 2:00pm On Aug 30

We know that Power is the ABILITY to do work by layman definition. But to relate ability as knowledge to witness is very confusing.

Ability means the physical capacity to do something.

So in this context, it means divine capacity to witness unto God. Let's try as much as possible to simplify our interpretation of the scriptures. Though I appreciate your good intentions.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by ocnovakmichael(op): 2:01pm On Aug 30

geoworldedu:
I'm talking about Jehovah, the god of Christianity. He is currently in a spiritual cage which Otem mentioned to us like a decade ago. The book of Galatians you just quote is the book of this imprisoned god. There are universal books you can quote from. BOOK OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY.

Eta n tagba 4 : 1-3
1. The homos(humans) of Aferk(Africa) have neglected their brains.
2. They have exchanged their religions for the religions of Urope(Europe).
3. They cannot excel beyond the circle.

No brother, Jehovah cannot be bound. And the gods of your fathers, in that sense, cannot help you because they are dead. You see, the God who made the heaven and the earth spoke to your ancestors through oracles in time past, in diverse means and manners because they had not known him. They cast the cowries and interpreted omens and events because God allowed it to show himself strong in their midst.

Hebrews 1:1
[1]God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

But in this last days, God has spoken to you and I through his son Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1-2
[1]God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
[2]Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

And through him salvation is made readily available to all men including men in Africa, Europe, Asia, American, etc..

Titus 2:11
[11]For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

All wee need to do to to have faith in Christ and confess him as Lord and take him as saviour.

Re: Acts 1:8 Is Not About Power - It's About Knowledge by Nnamdipapa(m): 2:03pm On Aug 30

ocnovakmichael:
But there electricity and those with high paying jobs in the hospital, yet they're still bound until the healing power of God makes them whole.

.
How old are you, and level of your education, bro? You do realize your pastors and GO's go for medical treatments in the hospitals, right? You know accident victims are rushed to hospitals, not churches or mosques, for a reason.

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