Bible Dictionaries
Power

Holman Bible Dictionary

The ability to act or produce an effect; the possession of authority over others. These two aspects of power are often related in Scripture. Because God has revealed His power in the act of creation, He has authority to assign dominion to whomever He wills (Jeremiah 10:12; Jeremiah 27:5 ). God revealed His power by miraculously delivering Israel from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 4:21; Exodus 9:16; Exodus 15:6; Exodus 32:11 ) and in the conquest of Canaan (Psalm 111:6 ). God's acts are foundational for His claim on Israel. God's power includes not only the power to judge but also the power to forgive sin (Numbers 14:15-19; Jeremiah 32:17-18 ). 2 Kings 3:15 links the onrush of the power of God with prophecy. Here power approximates God's Spirit (compare Micah 3:8; Luke 1:35 ).

Christ's miracles evidenced the power of God at work in His ministry (Matthew 14:2; Mark 5:30; Mark 9:1; Luke 4:36; Luke 5:17 ). Luke highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering the ministry of Jesus (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38 ) and the ongoing ministry of the church (Acts 1:8; Acts 3:12; Acts 4:7 ,Acts 4:7,4:33; Acts 6:8 ). Paul stressed the paradox that the cross—what is apparently Jesus' greatest moment of weakness—is the event in which God's power to save is realized (1 Corinthians 1:17-18; compare Romans 1:16 ). This scandal of God's power revealed in Christ's death continues in God's choice to work through the powerless (1 Corinthians 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:9 ). In some texts, powers refer to angelic powers (Romans 8:38; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 2:15; 1 Peter 3:22 ).

Chris Church