Topical Bible: Power of the Holy Spirit: Christ Worked his Miracles By

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The power of the Holy Spirit is a central theme in the New Testament, particularly in the context of the miraculous works performed by Jesus Christ. The Gospels and other New Testament writings consistently attribute the miracles of Jesus to the divine empowerment of the Holy Spirit, underscoring the unity and cooperation within the Trinity.

Anointing of Jesus by the Holy Spirit

The anointing of Jesus with the Holy Spirit is a pivotal event that marks the beginning of His public ministry. In the Gospel of Luke, it is recorded that after His baptism, "the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove" (Luke 3:22). This event signifies the empowerment of Jesus by the Holy Spirit, equipping Him for the ministry ahead.

Miracles as a Manifestation of the Spirit's Power

The miracles performed by Jesus are a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working through Him. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Himself acknowledges the role of the Spirit in His works: "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28). This statement highlights that the miraculous acts of Jesus are not merely displays of His own power but are accomplished through the Spirit's divine influence.

Fulfillment of Prophecy

The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would be endowed with the Spirit. Isaiah 61:1, a passage Jesus reads in the synagogue, states, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor" . Jesus' reading of this passage in Luke 4:18-21 and His declaration that "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21) affirm that His miraculous works are a fulfillment of messianic prophecy, accomplished through the Spirit's power.

Dependence on the Spirit

Throughout His ministry, Jesus exemplifies a life of dependence on the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of John records Jesus saying, "The Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it" (John 5:19). This dependence is indicative of the perfect harmony and submission within the Godhead, where Jesus operates in complete alignment with the Father's will through the Spirit's empowerment.

The Spirit's Role in the Resurrection

The power of the Holy Spirit is also evident in the resurrection of Jesus. Romans 8:11 states, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells within you" . This passage underscores the Spirit's vital role in the resurrection, further affirming the Spirit's power in the life and ministry of Jesus.

Implications for Believers

The power of the Holy Spirit that enabled Jesus to perform miracles is also promised to believers. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" . This promise indicates that the same Spirit who empowered Jesus is available to His followers, equipping them for their mission in the world.

In summary, the power of the Holy Spirit is integral to the miraculous works of Jesus Christ, demonstrating the divine nature of His ministry and fulfilling the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Through the Spirit, Jesus reveals the kingdom of God and sets a pattern for believers to follow in reliance on the Spirit's power.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come to you.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ.
... In the second place, we see our own utter dependence upon the Holy Spirit. If it
was in the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ, the only ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter xxii the work of.htm

Whether those Miracles were Fitting which Christ Worked in ...
... For among spiritual substances the holy angels are above the demons; for ... the unclean
spirit out of the earth ... Now, by the power of His Godhead He was to rescue ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether those miracles were fitting.htm

ix.
... Lord Jesus Christ was glorified by the Holy Ghost, so ... received power against unclean
spirits and power to work ... confess that it was his own Spirit through which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/ix.htm

Whether Christ Should have Worked Miracles?
... need to be proved by the argument of Divine power: so that ... in a man by the grace
of the Holy Ghost: so ... Gal.3:5): "He who giveth to you the Spirit, and worketh ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have worked.htm

Excursus on How Our Lord Worked Miracles.
... Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the ... Joseph...she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost." And ... the passage in which he says, "The Spirit of the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on how our lord.htm

The Praying that Glorifies God
... to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit the right ... I will do it," He placed His
unlimited power at our ... powers are released by the indwelling Spirit of God ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 4 the praying that.htm

The True Sign
... glory is the motive implanted by the Holy Spirit; and only the effectual working
of the Spirit can implant ... Only the power of God can banish self-seeking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 44 the true sign.htm

The Power of the Holy Ghost
... will remember that master attestation of the Spirit, when he ... and wonders were done
by the Holy Ghost, and ... believed thereby." Who will doubt the power of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the power of the holy.htm

The Holy Spirit and the one Church
... God's Holy Spirit and man's sin cannot live together peaceably; they may ... all, he
might even have the power of working ... The Spirit of the living God will not let ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the holy spirit and the.htm

"Is not this the Carpenter's Son?"
... With intense energy he worked to fasten them in ... rejection of the demonstration of
the Holy Spirit's power was the ... ever after to cavil at the words of Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 24 is not this.htm