Big Healing Book - Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8:

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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Notes on Acts 1:8:

It has always been God’s plan that you receive power and then go be a witness. Flowing in the power of God is a far more effective witness than any canned evangelism program. The disciples weren’t even supposed to leave Jerusalem without this power. It was the power of God in demonstration that caused whole cities to be converted not too long after this.

It is clear from this verse that the power is to manifest when you go to be a witness to the world. This is consistent with the Great Commission as expressed in Mark 16:15-18.

If people really believed this verse, they would not sing, “Send the old-time power, the Pentecostal power;” they’d sing, “Thank You, Lord, that You already sent the old-time Pentecostal power a long time ago on the day of Pentecost!” They wouldn’t sing, “Anointing, fall on me!” Instead, they’d sing, “Thank You, Lord, that I’m already anointed by the Holy Spirit! The anointing already fell on me!” They wouldn’t sing, “I’m tired, I’m weak” or “I’m weak and poor;” they’d sing, “I’m full of power from on high! Let the weak say ‘I am strong!’” They’d quit having seemingly endless prayer meetings for “revival power” to fall and they’d go out and flow in the power that they’ve already been given with no further waiting required!

Jesus had already breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” So why were they waiting? When you are born again, the Holy Spirit dwells in you, but you receive power when you are baptized with the Holy Spirit, as happened in Acts 2:2-4 and elsewhere. Salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are two distinct experiences, as proved in How to Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit. They had to wait for this enduement of power. But you don’t have to wait to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. He has already been given; now He must simply be received. When you receive Him, you receive power.