The question of whether believers today have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is an important one for Christians. Ephesians 1:19-20 says, “and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.” So do believers really have this same resurrection power? Let’s explore what the Bible says.
The Power that Raised Jesus
First, we need to understand what Paul means by “the immeasurable greatness of his power” that raised Jesus from the dead. This was no ordinary power – it was the mighty power of God Himself that brought Jesus back to life after suffering a horrific death on the cross (Philippians 3:10). Jesus was dead, buried in a tomb, and three days later God supernaturally raised Him to life again in a powerful resurrection that defeated death forever (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
So the power Paul speaks of in Ephesians 1 is the greatest display of God’s life-giving, death-conquering divine power in all of history. It took the infinitely strong and limitless power of God to raise the dead to life. This is the magnitude of power Paul says is now at work in those who believe in Christ.
The Same Power in Believers
So do believers have this same exact resurrection power living in them according to Ephesians 1? In one sense, yes – the exact same limitless, divine power that raised Jesus dwells in every born again believer by the Holy Spirit. However, there are also key differences in how this power manifests in believers versus how it manifested in Jesus.
First, the context of Ephesians 1 makes it clear this resurrection power works in us, but not through us exactly as it did in Jesus. In Him the power worked immediately and directly, but in believers it works progressively over time to transform us internally into Christ’s image (Ephesians 4:13-15). Secondly, the scope and scale of the resurrection power we possess is limited compared to Jesus, who held nothing back in manifesting the full divine nature dwelling in Him (John 5:19).
So believers have the exact same resurrection power living inside through the Holy Spirit, but Christ as the God-man possessed the unlimited fullness of this power in a way we on this side of eternity never will. We only experience and manifest a portion of it in this life.
How This Power Works in Believers
How then does this resurrection power work in believers today? What are the key ways Scripture describes this happening?
1. Power to Live a New Life
The first key work of this power is enabling believers to spiritually come to life and live a brand new kind of life. Ephesians 2:1-6 describes unsaved people as “dead in trespasses and sins” who once walked “following the course of this world.” But when saved, God in His mercy “made us alive together with Christ” and “raised us up with Him.” The power that raised Christ from physical death raises believers from spiritual death to new life (John 5:24).
2. Power to Become Like Christ
The resurrection power also works in believers to internally transform them to become more and more like Jesus Christ in holiness and character. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 describes how the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit progressively changes us: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
So the more believers yield to the Holy Spirit and behold Christ, the more the resurrection power changes us into His image.
3. Power Over Sin
This power also equips Christians to gain increasing victory over sin. Romans 6 explains how union with Christ in His death and resurrection destroys sin’s dominion in our lives. Verse 14 says “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” The indwelling resurrection power enables us to live free from slavery to sin more and more (Romans 6:17-18).
4. Power for Ministry and Preaching
The Holy Spirit also empowers believers with divine energy and boldness for ministry work including preaching the Gospel. Acts 1:8 promises “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” And 1 Thessalonians 1:5 describes how Paul’s preaching came “with full conviction” in power and in the Holy Spirit.
So resurrection power equips believers to be bold, Spirit-filled witnesses for Jesus Christ.
5. Power Through Weakness
This power often shows up most strongly in the midst of human weakness. Paul discovered this dynamic in his ministry, as he explains in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. When describing his “thorn in the flesh” God would not remove despite his prayers, Paul writes this:
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
In his weakness, Paul experienced greater dependence on resurrection power – proving that Christ’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (v9). God can display His glory greatly through frail vessels.
6. Power to Be United With Christ
Finally, this power unites believers spiritually with Jesus Christ in an unbreakable heavenly union. Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 1:19-23. He says this power is like…”his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:19-23)
Because we are Christ’s body, the church, sharing His resurrection life, He is the Head and we are spiritually and inseparably joined to Him. A relationship of divine life, power, purpose and destiny unites us to Him who sits enthroned over all.
Applying This Power to Our Lives
So in summary – all believers have the exact same Holy Spirit in them as did Jesus, making the limitless resurrection power of God available. This power works to transform us internally to be like Jesus and accomplish His works through our lives.
Some implications of these truths include:
- We can confidently obey Christ’s commands knowing we have power for victory over sin.
- We have divine resources to love others, fulfill our callings, and do the works Christ prepared for us.
- We can joyfully endure trials and glorify God in weakness, because resurrection power shows up brightly then.
The key is learning to yield to the Spirit’s control and appropriating by faith all the resurrection life and power He makes available – both now and forever.