Luke 24:49b: '...endued with power (dunamis) from on high (above).'
Let's begin with the Greek word 'dunamai' first. The word 'dunamai' (where the word 'dunamis' comes from) means 'to be able or possible, be able, can, could, can do, be of power, be possible'.
And according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 'dunamis' (from the word ‘dunamai’) is 'force, miraculous power, ability, abundance, worker of miracle, power, strength, mighty (wonderful) works, mighty deeds'. 'Dunamis' in the Bible is 'God’s very own power'.
In Mark 5:30 (when a woman with a 'flow of blood' for 12 years being healed when she 'touched' Jesus), you'll see the words 'power gone out of Jesus' in New King James Version (NKJV), or 'virtue gone out of Jesus' in King James Version (KJV). Likewise, in Luke 6:19 (when Jesus ministered to the whole multitude, and all were healed), you'll see the same words 'power' (in NKJV) or 'virtue' (in KJV) coming out from Jesus and healed them all. Both these words 'power' (in NKJV) and 'virtue' (in KJV) are translated as 'dunamis' in Greek. I especially like the word ‘virtue’ (in KJV) because it means ‘a good thing’. You know what? 'A good thing' came out from Jesus, healing the sick and bringing solution to every need! It’s a 'substance', it's 'tangible', and of course, it can be felt!
Who is the source of this 'dunamis' power? It's God Himself, the possessor of heaven and earth. Matthew 6:13 says, 'For Yours is the kingdom, the power (dunamis), and the glory forever. Amen'. This power (dunamis) is His, just as the kingdom is His & the glory is His! In Mark 13:26, it says 'then they will see Jesus coming in the clouds with great power (dunamis) & glory'. In short, 'dunamis' here is God’s very own power. This power is His, and His alone!
Is this 'dunamis' power then meant for us to receive? The answer is a resounding "yes"! The Word of God says so! Jesus Himself said this: “Be endued with this power (dunamis) from on high (above), when the Holy Spirit has come" (Luke 24:49). 'To be endued' here means 'to be clothed with, or to be filled with'. Acts 1:8 then says, 'you shall receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me (Jesus) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea & Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'
After the disciples of Christ have received this power (dunamis) from on high, Acts 4:33 then says, 'with great power (dunamis), they gave witness to the resurrection of Jesus'. Hallelujah! The church was in such a time when it grew leaps and bounds in every way, and the Bible says 'great grace (favor) was upon them all'!
Notice what the apostle Paul wrote: 'I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power (dunamis) of God to salvation' (Romans 1:16). You know what it means here? As the gospel of Christ is being preached, it is this very same power (dunamis) that 'breaks the power of darkness or bondage of unbelief', releasing people into the kingdom of 'light'!
The apostle Paul also wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:4 that 'the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ is in demonstration of God’s Spirit & power (dunamis)'. As you preach the Word (or the gospel of Christ), God can work through you with the manifestation of His spiritual gifts (eg word of knowledge, word of wisdom, etc in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11) & 'dunamis' power (that brings healing & miracles) to confirm the Word (or the gospel of Christ) being preached!
Beloved, be conscious of this 'dunamis' power that is in you right now. You have been 'endued' with 'dunamis' from on high when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and know that He can work through you as you 'supply' your hands for the healing of the sick, and as you 'supply' your mouth for the preaching of the gospel! Let Him do the rest, and see His power (dunamis) begin to work!
