How to Receive Power from God (Christianity)

Co-authored by Lia Huynh, LMFT and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: September 5, 2022 Approved

When God promises power to the individual, it is an amazing promise! Imagine the same God who by his word made the universe has promised power to us as mere people.

1 Corinthians 4:20 "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."

This article gives an explanation of the simple yet profound promise of receiving power from God - how to get it and what it means.

Steps

1
Find the promises given by Jesus about receiving power from God. They are in Luke 24:49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high", and 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."
2
Notice that the verse in Luke associates power with "the promise of my (Jesus) Father" and the one in Acts associates the power with receiving the Holy Spirit.

Advertisement
3
Notice that in Acts 1:4-5 Jesus identified the promise of the Father as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that we can now see that the "power" comes from the same source: the baptism (or receiving) of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:4 The disciples received power when they received the Holy Spirit; they also spoke in tongues. In Acts 2:38 Peter tells us how to receive power by telling us how to receive the Holy Spirit.
4
Seek more information on how to receive this power, the Holy Spirit, go to How to Receive the Holy Spirit as per The Bible. Then when you have received the power from God you can start using it to glorify God and win people to Him
5
Understand that when you receive the Holy Spirit you've entered into something so big it's beyond comprehension.. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. Ephesians 3:18-20
6
Use the power to heal the sick. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us
7
Use the power to preach God's word. 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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
8
Use the power to rejoice in the Spirit. Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
9
Use the power to give witness to Jesus and attract people to God. John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. Acts 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
10
Use the power to give witness of salvation. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
11
Understand also that this power comes with some conditions.
- This power is not power or authority over other people.(see Matthew 20:25-28)
- The power is always to promote and glorify Jesus name, never for personal glory.(John 7:18, 2 Corinthians 10:17-18)
- Neither does it make the person more important than other people Jesus said "he who humbles Himself shall be exalted".(Luke 14:11)
- Receiving power is not an excuse to do wrong rather it gives us strength to do right "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens (empowers) me".(Philippians 4:13)(see also Philippians 4:8)
- If you want to reflect on who you are and what you want, think about the last year (or a month or five months).^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
- Ask yourself what you were proud of or what you would have done differently. Ask yourself what kinds of people, activities, and work were life-giving and what kinds of people, activities, and work were life-draining.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Another exercise you can do is to imagine yourself 30 years from now and imagine what you would be saying to yourself at that time. What would you like to say about your life up to this point?

Community Q&A

Question

How do I tell a child about God's power?

Community Answer

You can tell them the Bible stories, which show God's power. And the best way is to speak of your own experience of God's power in your own life and how the power has helped you to have a purpose-driven life.
Question

What shows me that my prayers are answered?

Community Answer

Usually the outcomes in the future. Sometimes you will just feel the answer. For example if you say "God, I'm feeling really frightened right now! Please help," and then all of a sudden you feel calm, He has said "Yes, I will help you with your fright."
Question

How can I receive power through fasting?

Community Answer

Power comes through the Holy Spirit (Acts1:8), but prayer and fasting can be helpful to get rid of disbelief and make the power more evident in your life.

Warnings

This power is not power or authority over other people.(see Matthew 20:25-28)

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 103 Not Helpful 16
The power is always to promote and glorify Jesus name, never for personal glory.(John 7:18, 2 Corinthians 10:17-18)

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 109 Not Helpful 19
Neither does it make the person more important than other people Jesus said "he who humbles Himself shall be exalted".(Luke 14:11)

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 111 Not Helpful 23
Some people deny that God's power is still available today. The Bible tells us to turn away from these people (See 2 Timothy 3:5) but to keep on praying for them because they may still change their thinking (see 2 Timothy 2:25)

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 106 Not Helpful 22
When people received power it was always obvious, so to argue that a person has received power when nothing noticeable has happened is wrong (see Romans 1:16-19)

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 98 Not Helpful 21
Receiving power is not an excuse to do wrong rather it gives us strength to do right "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens (empowers) me".(Philippians 4:13)(see also Philippians 4:8)

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 99 Not Helpful 25