1. The Program

Zechariah 4:6 This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” saith the Lord of Hosts.

Zerubbabel led a return of Jews, from 70 years of captivity, back to their home and began a work to rebuild the temple. (Ezra 3:4-) After encountering much opposition, he was encouraged by the Lord, that the work would be completed not by man's power or might but by the Spirit of the Lord.

All through the scriptures we see the supernatural power of God manifesting to accomplish his purposes and establish his plans. God does this by way of his Holy Spirit, working through the gifts and callings, that he places on people's lives. The divine anointing of the Holy Spirit is the enablement of God, to accomplish what God calls a person to do.

1Corinthians 1:27-29   But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty;
Vs.28   And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
Vs.29   That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Vs.25   Because the foolishness of God is wiser than man and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

God's ways are not man's ways and the very things that we consider useless, weak, or foolish, is the very things that God will use and in doing so, God gets all the glory. I'm reminded of Namaan having to dip in the muddy waters of the Jordan River 7 times as part of God's way of healing him. Of the Lord Jesus putting mud and spit in the eyes of a blind man and when he went and washed, he was healed. By the supernatural power of God, seas were parted and walked on, a few loaves of bread and fish fed thousands of people, and the list goes on and on.

MATTHEW 13:54-58 Vs. 58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

MARK 7:4-13 Vs. 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your traditions, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

The traditions of men and unbelief hinders the work and power of God.

The New Testament program of God is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost humanity: baptize and disciple those that believe. This is the Great Commission, given by the Lord Jesus Christ to the church, as shown by the following scriptures.

MATTHEW 28:18-20    And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Vs.19   Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
Vs.20   Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

MARK 16:15    And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (person).

GOD HAS SUPERNATURALLY EQUIPPED THE CHURCH to do this by the divine power of the HOLY SPIRIT; working through the various calling and gifts that He places in the church.

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.

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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

MARK 16:17-18    And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues,
Vs.18   They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:28    AND GOD HATH SET SOME in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

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2. As Seen in the Ministry of Jesus

LUKE 3:22   And the HOLY GHOST descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice from heaven, which said, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased”.

LUKE 4:1   And Jesus being FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

LUKE 4:14, 18   And Jesus returned IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT into Galilee; and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
Vs.18   THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD is upon me, because he hath ANNOINTED ME to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set a liberty them that are bruised.

ACTS 10:38   How GOD ANNOINTED Jesus of Nazareth WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER who went about doing good, and healing all that are oppressed of the devil; for God was with him

LUKE 11:20   But if I by the finger of God cast our devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

The Lord Jesus ministered by the power of the Holy Ghost and not his own power as the Son of God.

There is not enough space to write of all the things that our Lord did, so I will quote the scriptures from the book of John.

JOHN 21:25   “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

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3. As seen in the early church

ACTS 2:4   And they were ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

ACTS 3:6   Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

ACTS 6:8   And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders among the people.

ACTS 9:32-41   Vs.33-34   And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed 8 years, and was sick of the palsy.

Vs.34   And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

Vs.40-41   But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Vs.41   And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

ACTS 14:8-10   And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mothers womb, who never had walked.
Vs.9   The same heard Paul speak; who steadfastly beholding him and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Vs.10   Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

ACTS 19:11-12   And GOD WROUGHT SPECIAL MIRACLES by the hands of Paul:
Vs.12   So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

In this small sample of scriptures, we can see the fulfilling of Gods word in Mark 16:20 and in John 14:12.

“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, THE LORD WORKING WITH THEM, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works that these shall he do; because I go to the Father.

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