In Word and Power

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”

(I Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV)

Paul said the gospel that he preached did not come in word only, but also in power. In power … what does this mean? To come in power?

Firstly, let’s deal with the first part of the verse. Anyone who ever delivers a message must come in word. We must speak or communicate words to convey a message. No matter the message, you must first hear it.

Romans 10:14 tells us that we cannot believe if we have not heard, and how can we hear if there is no preacher? A preacher will always use words to preach. You must come in word to deliver the message.

But power… that’s a different thing. That’s another level, another realm. To come in power means to come with some “umph”. It’s to come with strength, authority, or heavy influence. But these are just my words. Let’s get into some actual definitions.

Oxford Languages says power is:

the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality.

Example: "the power of speech"

Okay, so they say power is about ability. I can agree to that. I instantly thought about Superman. Perhaps I thought about him because my husband mentioned how good of a movie the newly released Superman movie is or maybe it’s because I just naturally think of Superman when I think of power because he is known for his outstanding abilities.

What do they say about him? He leaps buildings with a single bound. He has the ability to do that. “It’s a bird … it’s a plane … no, it’s Superman!” they say. Because he has the ability to fly. Yes, power is about ability.

Any preacher or teacher of the gospel has the ability to preach. But can I be honest? As long as you have the ability to talk, anybody can preach. Anyone has the physical ability to mount a pulpit, step in front of a crowd and speak … my 6-year-old daughter has the ability to do that … but would she come in power?

So, this power that Paul spoke about must mean more than ability. What does he mean? Biblically speaking, power in this verse means:

Power

Δυνάμει (dynamei)

Strong’s 1411: From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.

Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. To come in power means to come with force or to come with miraculous power. So, Paul said that he preached in word, which is the gospel. He preached the truth, which is Jesus. Jesus is the truth per John 14:6, and Paul preached Him … that He died for the sins we committed against God. That He took the death sentence that we deserved for sinning against a most holy and divine God. Jesus took our place, so that we could live and have life more abundantly.

But! But! Paul not only came in word, but he came in power.

If you know anything about Paul, he certainly came in power. The Book of Acts documents the acts, words, and deeds of the early teachers and preachers of the gospel including men like Paul and Peter. And the power that was displayed through them was one of sheer amazement. They healed the lame, they healed the sick, they restored eyesight to the blind. But most importantly, men and women were restored to God.

This power that was displayed was not of their own, but it was from God. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He promised to send a divine force from above, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you …” (Acts 1:8). This was a miraculous thing God did.

To send power from above down onto mankind is very much so a supernatural thing. How can it not come with power? God, the being who spoke and the earth formed is a Spirit filled with immeasurable power. That same Holy Spirit overshadowed the virgin, Mary. The Spirit of God is so powerful that it miraculously placed a child within her womb with no need of the male species. Only the Holy Spirit was necessary.

When Mary asked how could this be done, Gabriel, the angel of God declared, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). Look how powerful the Holy Spirit is! It can do the impossible. Superman has many abilities but even he would have to raise his eyebrows in wonder at the power of the Holy Spirit. A virgin giving birth is something that can only transpire by way of something otherworldly.

To come in word and power means to come with a word with help from the Holy Spirit. It means your words come with a supernatural force. It means your words are supported, backed up, and fueled by the Original One—the One who existed before time began. This ancient, holy, power is the reason why Paul, you, or I can ever come in power.

What a thrill! What a blessing it is that the power of the Holy Spirit lives in all believers. Paul records in Romans 8:11 that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. Power lives in you! Ephesians 3:20 says God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. The power of God, the Spirit of God, is active and alive. Moving and working in us and for us. Again, what a blessing! What an amazingly beautiful thing to have.

Unfortunately, I do believe we often reduce the mobility of the Holy Spirit. Our unbelief and unyielding hearts can prohibit the power within us from flowing as it should. As we continue to read Paul’s letter, he cautioned the believers at Thessalonica to “not quench the Holy Spirit” and to the Ephesians he warned “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30)

So, my prayer is that we will not quench or grieve the Holy Spirit within us. May God allow the power that He placed within us to move and flow freely with no hindrances or restrictions. Let us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, come in word and power to each and every situation that He ordains.

Dear reader, that’s all I have for you. May God bless you in word and power. May He also bless you in your deeds, thoughts, and in your heart. May all that you do be powered, influenced, and guided by the divine power of God. God bless you and keep you.

Until next time, take care.

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Again, thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Quin Arrington