“I’m going to send you what My Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Lk. 24:49 

These are the clothes of The Designer, as seen in the person of the Holy Spirit, and there is no greater manual to look to than the Book of Acts. In these twenty-eight power chapters, you can find many descriptions of people clothed with this power. 

The Purpose

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses unto Me …” Acts 1:8 To be clothed with His power often brings an overwhelming joy or peace, but the real purpose to be clothed with power is for you to tell others about Jesus: your relatives, co-workers, gas pump strangers. Everyone needs Jesus. Will they all understand or appreciate your comments? S.W.S.W.S.W. That’s an acronym for “Some will. Some won’t. So What?” 

Power To Pray

Prayer is mentioned in almost every chapter of the book of Acts. We see examples of personal prayer, corporate prayer, prayers of praise, and supplication. In Acts 4:31, their prayers shook the building. When you are clothed with power from on high, you’ll find yourself praying in the Spirit more often. Smith Wigglesworth, the legendary miracle-worker said, “If the Spirit doesn’t move me, I move the Spirit.” That’s exactly what prayer does. It gets you in the position to hear the heart of God about a person, place, or promise and then gives you the platform of prayer to ask for it. 

The Name of Jesus

The Book of Acts mentions people using the Name of Jesus twenty-nine times. We read about the power of God healing a paralyzed beggar and bringing freedom to demon-possessed people. “But Jesus isn’t here anymore,” you might wonder. “In Jesus’ Name” means “He’s not here in person, but He has transferred all of His authority into His name.” What Jesus did while He was on earth is now accomplished by using His name. If you want to see what Jesus saw, do what Jesus did. He’ll back you up every time. 

Power Over What?

I’ve recently completed a thorough study of the Book of Acts. It’s common knowledge that those who were clothed with power took dominion over disease, demons and delivered the gospel in new territories, but I have found forty-five additional areas they demonstrated this power from on high. Power over despair, greed, discouragement, loneliness, fear, and selfishness are just a few of the many signs and wonders that are seen in those clothed with The Designer’s power. 

Your Place Of Power

I’m not an electrician, but most of us realize that power goes through the wires before it’s heard through a speaker. There’s a quiet power flowing through conduits before the loud power arrives. This is a good picture of the church in the Book of Acts. Behind the loud rock stars, Peter and Paul, we find hundreds of unnamed heroes who are just as valuable to God, faithfully serving Jesus by serving in their local churches: the Churches of Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, Philippi, and Corinth. You can be sure that no baby in their nurseries had a fever. They were anchors, clothed with power, to do the work of God on the earth. 

As you grow in Christ, He will plug you into a local body of believers, and, together, you will demonstrate this power. Some are like conduits, quietly serving with no need for fanfare, while others are as the speakers, teaching and preaching God’s Word. One thing for certain, without the power flowing through us, we live ordinary lives and are worthless to the purposes of God. 

A Final Challenge

So, go ahead and look in your closet to enjoy those designer clothes, but it’s significantly more important to look into the mirror of God’s Word and remember that The Designer has already clothed you with a power that will make a difference in your life, your family and your church, and, unlike your designer clothes, it’s already been paid for.