The dynamic power of God manifested in the believer's life and the world.
Spiritual Power: The Dynamic Power of God in the Believer’s Life
1. The Biblical Definition of Spiritual Power
In Scripture, “spiritual power” is not an abstract force but the active, personal working of God Himself—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—manifested in and through human beings.
Used of God’s demonstrated strength:
“The exceeding greatness of His power (dunamis)… according to the working of His mighty power (kratos)” (Ephesians 1:19–20).
“You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power (koach) to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18).
Implies capacity, strength, vigor given by God.
Biblical Definition (Summarized)
Spiritual power is the God-given ability and authority, by the Holy Spirit, to do God’s will, , and , in alignment with His Word and character.
manifest His Kingdom
overcome the power of darkness
2. Old Testament Foundation
Spiritual power is not a New Testament novelty; it is rooted deeply in the Old Testament.
1. Creation by the Word and Spirit
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath (ruach – Spirit) of His mouth all their host” (Psalm 33:6).
The Spirit (Ruach) of God hovering over the waters (Genesis 1:2) shows God’s creative power at work.
2. Power in the Exodus
The Exodus is one of the clearest demonstrations of God’s power:
Signs and wonders in Egypt – plagues, judgment on false gods (Exodus 7–12).
Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–31): God’s power over nature and nations.
Moses testifies: “The LORD brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of bondage” (Deuteronomy 7:8).
Israel’s identity is rooted in experiencing God’s power, not just hearing about it.
3. The Spirit Upon Individuals
The Holy Spirit came upon certain people for specific tasks, often described in terms of power.
Samson: “The Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him” (Judges 14:6), enabling supernatural strength.
Gideon: “The Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon” (Judges 6:34), empowering him to deliver Israel.
Saul and David: The Spirit came upon them for kingship (1 Samuel 10:10; 16:13).
The pattern: The Spirit comes → power is manifested → God’s purposes advance.
4. Prophetic Power
The prophets operated in spiritual power:
Elijah: Called down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:36–39), multiplied oil and flour (1 Kings 17:14–16), raised the dead (1 Kings 17:21–22).
Elisha: Double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9–15), healed Naaman (2 Kings 5), made iron float (2 Kings 6:6).
These were not mere “stories” but foreshadows of the greater outpouring of power in the New Covenant.
5. Prophetic Promise of a Coming Outpouring
Joel 2:28–29: “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh… your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.”
Ezekiel 36:26–27: A new heart and a new spirit; God’s Spirit within causing obedience.
Isaiah 61:1–3: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me…”—a prophecy of the Messiah’s Spirit-empowered ministry.
The Old Testament sets the expectation: God’s people are to be a Spirit-filled, power-demonstrating people.
3. The Fulfillment of Spiritual Power in Christ
Jesus is the perfect revelation of spiritual power under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
1. Conceived, Anointed, and Led by the Spirit
Conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).
Baptized in water, then the Spirit descended upon Him (Luke 3:21–22).
“Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit… was led by the Spirit” (Luke 4:1).
“Then Jesus returned in the power (dunamis) of the Spirit to Galilee” (Luke 4:14).
Even though He is the eternal Son, He modeled dependence on the Holy Spirit as a man.
2. Jesus’ Ministry: Word and Power
Jesus declared His mission in terms of the Spirit’s anointing:
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty… recovery of sight to the blind…” (Luke 4:18–19).
His ministry consistently demonstrated spiritual power:
Healing the sick (Matthew 4:23–24; Acts 10:38).
Casting out demons (Matthew 12:28; Mark 1:34).
Raising the dead (Mark 5:41–42; Luke 7:14–15; John 11).
Authority over nature (Mark 4:39; John 6:19–21).
Forgiving sins (Mark 2:5–12) – spiritual authority.
He said, “If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matthew 12:28).
Where the Spirit’s power is manifest, the Kingdom is present.
3. The Cross and Resurrection: Ultimate Demonstration of Power
At the cross, Jesus disarmed principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15).
God’s resurrection power raised Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:19–20; Romans 8:11).
All authority (exousia) in heaven and on earth is now given to Him (Matthew 28:18).
Jesus is now the source and dispenser of spiritual power to His Body, the Church.
4. The Power for Today: The Holy Spirit and the Modern Believer
This is where many believers stumble: they affirm that God can move in power, but do not expect that He will move through them. Scripture, however, is clear: spiritual power is for today, for every believer, in every nation.
1. The Promise of Power to the Church
Before ascending, Jesus gave a clear promise:
“You shall receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8).
This is not merely power to speak, but power to witness in word and deed. The Book of Acts shows what this looks like:
Acts 2 – Outpouring of the Spirit, tongues, bold preaching, 3,000 saved.
Acts 3 – Lame man healed at the temple gate.
Acts 5:12–16 – Many signs and wonders; even Peter’s shadow bringing healing.
Acts 8:6–8 – Miracles, deliverances, and great joy in Samaria.
Acts 19:11–12 – “God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul.”
The pattern did not stop with the apostles. The Spirit was poured out on all flesh (Acts 2:16–18).
2. The Indwelling and the Empowering
Every true believer has the Holy Spirit indwelling them (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19). But Scripture also speaks of a distinct empowering or “coming upon” for ministry:
Jesus’ disciples were already believers, yet told to wait for power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–5).
In Acts 8, Samaritans believed and were baptized, yet later received the Holy Spirit in power through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14–17).
In Acts 19:1–6, disciples in Ephesus received the Holy Spirit with tongues and prophecy.
The New Testament Church is charismatic by design—endowed with spiritual gifts and power.
3. Spiritual Gifts as Expressions of Power
1 Corinthians 12:7–11 lists manifestations of the Spirit, many of which are direct expressions of spiritual power:
Gifts of healings
Working of miracles
Prophecy
Discerning of spirits
Tongues and interpretation
These are not for entertainment or spiritual pride, but for edification, evangelism, and demonstrating the Kingdom.
4. Authority Over the Enemy
Jesus has delegated His authority to believers:
“Behold, I give you authority (exousia)… over all the power (dunamis) of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).
“In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17–18).
We are not powerless victims; we are authorized representatives of the risen Christ.
5. Faith and Expectation
Spiritual power is accessed by faith, not by feelings or spiritual pedigree.
Jesus often said, “According to your faith let it be to you” (Matthew 9:29).
He did not do many mighty works in Nazareth because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58).
A continuationist, biblical position insists:
The Spirit has not changed.
The Gospel has not changed.
The need has not changed.
Therefore, we should expect God to move in power today.
5. Practical Application: Walking in Spiritual Power
Here are 5 concrete steps to cultivate and walk in spiritual power.
1. Surrender Fully to the Lordship of Christ
Spiritual power flows through yielded vessels, not self-willed ones.
Present your body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
Renounce known sin, unforgiveness, and compromise (2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:27).
Make a deliberate, daily choice: “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Power without surrender is dangerous; surrender without power is incomplete.
2. Be Filled (and Keep Being Filled) with the Holy Spirit
The command is ongoing:
“Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) – literally, “keep on being filled.”
Practical steps:
Ask specifically for the fullness of the Spirit (Luke 11:13).
Receive by faith, not feelings (Galatians 3:2–5).
Pray in the Spirit (including tongues, if you have that gift – 1 Corinthians 14:4, 18).
Worship, sing, and give thanks (Ephesians 5:18–20).
The more you yield to the Spirit, the more His power flows.
3. Immerse Yourself in the Word of God
Spiritual power is never independent of God’s Word.
Jesus resisted Satan with “It is written” (Matthew 4:4–10).
The Word is called “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17).
Faith comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17).
Practical habits:
Daily reading and meditation (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2–3).
Memorize key promises related to power, healing, authority.
Align your confession with the Word, not with fear or circumstances (2 Corinthians 4:13).
The Spirit confirms the Word, not human ideas (Mark 16:20).
4. Step Out in Obedience and Faith
Power is often released as you go, not while you sit and wait.
The man with the withered hand was healed as he stretched it out (Mark 3:5).
The lepers were cleansed as they went (Luke 17:14).
Peter walked on water when he stepped out of the boat (Matthew 14:29).
Practical actions:
Offer to pray for the sick (James 5:14–15; Mark 16:18).
Share the Gospel with expectation of conviction and demonstration (1 Corinthians 2:4–5).
Obey promptings of the Spirit, even when they feel risky.
You will never see God’s power if you refuse to leave your comfort zone.
5. Cultivate a Life of Prayer, Fasting, and Holiness
Some breakthroughs require a deeper level of spiritual engagement.
Jesus spent nights in prayer (Luke 6:12).
He said some kinds of demonic resistance are overcome only by “prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29, some manuscripts).
Pursue holiness, “without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Practical steps:
Set regular times of focused prayer (Matthew 6:6).
Fast periodically as led by the Spirit (Matthew 6:16–18).
Guard your eyes, ears, and heart from defilement (Proverbs 4:23).
Power is not a substitute for character; it must be joined with Christlike holiness.
6. Key Scriptures on Spiritual Power (With Brief Commentary)
1. Acts 1:8
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”
Defines the purpose of power: to be effective witnesses.
Power is directly tied to the coming upon of the Holy Spirit.
2. Ephesians 1:19–20
“…the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead…”
The same resurrection power that raised Jesus is directed toward us who believe.
This is not theoretical; it is “toward us” in practical operation.
3. Luke 10:19
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy…”
Jesus gives believers authority over all demonic power.
Our authority (exousia) is greater than Satan’s power (dunamis), because it is rooted in Christ’s victory.
4. 1 Corinthians 4:20
“For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”
The Kingdom is not mere talk or theory; it is demonstrated reality.
Any theology that denies power denies a core aspect of the Kingdom.
5. Romans 15:18–19
“…by word and deed, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”
Paul considered the Gospel fully preached only when accompanied by mighty signs and wonders.
Word and power together constitute apostolic ministry.
6. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
The Holy Spirit in us is characterized by power, love, and self-control.
Fear is not from God and must be resisted; it chokes spiritual power.
7. John 14:12
“He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
Jesus ties the continuation of His works to ordinary believers (“he who believes”).
The basis is His going to the Father and sending the Spirit (John 14:16–17; 16:7).
Spiritual power is not a luxury for a few “special” Christians. It is the normal inheritance of every believer in Christ, purchased by His blood, released by His Spirit, and grounded in His Word. The call is not merely to admire it in Scripture, but to walk in it today, for the glory of God and the advance of His Kingdom.