The Spirit, The Power, The Kingdom
By Royce Frederick
Jesus had promised His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power” (Mark 9:1). This kingdom was also called “the kingdom of Christ and God” (Eph. 5:5) and the “church” (Matt. 16:18-19). Notice that the kingdom and power are connected in Mark 9:1.
Later, shortly before He returned to heaven, we see Jesus instructing His disciples. “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4-5). He also promised, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). Notice that power and the Holy Spirit are connected here.
The kingdom would come with power, and power would come when the Holy Spirit came upon them.
In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came, the power came, and the kingdom came!