What the Holy Spirit’s ‘Dunamis’ Power Can Do in Your Life
My life verse is Acts 1:8 (MEV) which says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Every time I read this verse, the word “power” jumps out at me. As I’ve studied this, I’ve developed a sense of awe.
The Koine Greek word for “power” is dunamis, which the Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament defines with reference to Acts 1:8 as: able to produce a strong effect power, might, strength” and “as supernatural manifestations of power miracle, wonder, powerful deed.” This word is used 10 times in the Acts of the Apostles and is always in reference to God’s power, miracles and signs and wonders.
When the Bible uses the word dunamis, it never refers to our strength or ability but rather to His power through us. It is His power alone that keeps us, while it forms our character as we walk in His power and glorify Him.
After the apostles were baptized with the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to pray and came across a man crippled from birth, begging. In Acts 3:6, Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but I give you what I have. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
The man was healed and Peter attributed the power displayed in Acts 3:11-16 not to himself, but to Jesus! The authorities arrested Peter and John. When they questioned the apostles, the two Christ followers said the man was healed “by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, and whom God raised from the dead. … There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:8-22).
As Christians, we have the power of the Spirit and should always point to Jesus when signs, wonders and healings take place. It is the incredible power of the Spirit that sets us free in Jesus to walk with Him and to continually pursue His grace and love, being empowered to witness to others about Him.
You can be part of glorifying Jesus by the power of His Holy Spirit. After reading this, go to your secret place of prayer and ask Him to fill you and use you for His glory. Ask for the dunamis of the Holy Spirit to saturate you and for the Spirit of God to be your tutor as you grow in friendship with Jesus and walk in His power all the while giving Him the glory.
Please let me know by emailing me what God does in you after you apply this to your life. {eoa}
Jared Laskey is a former Marine with service in Iraq (2007-08) and Afghanistan (2009). He is the lead pastor of Destiny Open Bible Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is a Master of Divinity student at Regent University with an MACM from Shepherds Theological Seminary (2015) and a BS from Eugene Bible College (2003). He planted his first church/outreach center in 2000. He lives to see Jesus awaken this generation to the power of His Holy Spirit. You can follow him on twitter @jaredalaskey, or contact him through his website, firebornministries.org. He also co-authored Veronica’s Hero, which you can find on Amazon.
