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The concept of Power in Christianity

The keyphrase "Power" in the provided text refers to a multifaceted concept with significant implications in various contexts, especially Christianity. It signifies the divine ability to influence and enact change, as demonstrated through Jesus's authority and healing capabilities. Power is characterized by resilience against external threats, the capacity for faith-driven actions, and the divine attributes acknowledged in the Lord's Prayer. This notion extends to the transformative effects on individuals and communities through spiritual growth and reform, all originating from God's energy and authority.1
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Synonyms: Strength, Energy, Authority, Influence, Control, Force, Potency, Capability, Prowess, Might, Dominion, Mastery, Dominance, Capacity

In Dutch: Stroom; In Finnish: Tehoa; In Spanish: Fuerza; In German: Leistung; In Malay: Kuasa; In Swedish: Driva; In French: Pouvoir

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Power'

Christianity Books

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) The power is mentioned in the text, and it is described as being a different thing from the soul and the spirit, and it is related to the actions of John.[1] (2) This is the ability of the demons to injure those who are afraid of them, but they have no control over those who are righteous and know the knowledge of God.[2] (3) The ability or capacity to do something, which is discussed in the context of God and His limitations regarding creating out of nothing and His use of Matter.[3] (4) These entities were triumphed over in the cross, suggesting a victory over certain authorities, and a display of Christ's might.[4] (5) A characteristic associated with Jesus Christ, used to highlight His nature and influence, along with His other attributes such as being the Word and first-begotten.[5]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) The power is communicated, and is realized in the effort to obey Christ's great commands, as Joash felt when he got the bow in his hand.[6] (2) This refers to the ability of the seventy, as they could heal the sick, and cast out demons, and the surprise of the group.[7] (3) This refers to the divine influence of the Gospel, in the context of social and spiritual reform.[8] (4) The text speaks about the knowledge of this which can fulfill hope and bring the inheritance, and it is described as being at work in Christian men.[9] (5) This term signifies the capability to influence and bring about change, especially in the context of faith, where it can be used to overcome challenges and achieve spiritual growth.[10]

From: Hymns for Christian Devotion

(1) This refers to the ability of the prophet.[11] (2) This phrase describes the effect of the message on people, experiencing its impact on their lives.[12] (3) Power is a characteristic of the Spirit, which also embodies health and grace, and is a fundamental aspect of the verses.[13] (4) The speaker refers to their capabilities, which are given to a divine entity, and which are described as drowsy or active.[14] (5) The text states that someone's obeys this, possibly representing a figure of control or a force that can be utilized.[15]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) This refers to the powers of the age to come which were manifest before a specific historic crisis.[16] (2) The term signifies the capacity to accomplish something, encompassing elements like strength, skill, resources, energy, and efficiency, which could be material, mental, or spiritual, with the purpose of achieving desired outcomes.[17] (3) This word is part of the concluding Doxology, which is included in the Lord's Prayer, and emphasizes the divine attributes.[18]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) The power is the power and love of God, which the Israelites experienced in their passage through the Red Sea.[19] (2) The Spirit is described as a procreative power, also referred to as the power of the Highest, and is used in connection with the influence of Jesus.[20]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) The power of Satan is that of darkness, and Christ delivers His saints from it, highlighting the conflict between good and evil.[21]

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) Power is defined from its acts, and the key is a kind of power that is defined from its act or use, which should include its object.[22] (2) The capacity to control or influence others, and the text analyzes whether this capacity is the ultimate goal for human beings, representing their highest achievement.[23] (3) The ability of God to act and influence all things, extending to the action of God in all things, and also is the means by which God is present in all things.[24] (4) This is a capacity, and the higher and lower reason are not two of these, and the intelligence is not a distinct one, but rather an act.[25] (5) A specific order of angels tasked with coercing demons, potentially involved in guardianship.[26]

From: Works of St. Anselm

(1) A subject that is required to be understood.[27] (2) This term refers to the subject's ability to do certain things, while other actions, such as being corrupted or lying, do not represent power but rather a form of helplessness.[28] (3) The subject will never want this of God, indicating a constant state of strength and capability, reflecting divine attributes.[29]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Kebra Nagast

(1) The ability to influence and control, an attribute of the divine, representing the divine's control over existence, as described in the passage.[30] (2) This is a reference to a significant figure, and it is used to provide a supporting quote within the text.[31] (3) This is something that belongs to Jesus Christ over all created things, for ever and ever, according to the text.[32]

From: The Book of the Bee

(1) This is a reference to the power of Adam's Maker, as mentioned in the provided text.[33] (2) Mighty angels in the middle order who enforce the will of the Lord and influence the outcomes of battles.[34]

From: The Book of the Cave of Treasures

(1) These are part of the spiritual hosts, representing a specific rank or order within the invisible realm, as mentioned in the text.[35]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) The text frequently references the concept of power, particularly emphasizing the divine power of God, which is showcased through creation and the ability to bring things into existence from nothing.[36]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Gnostic concept of 'Power'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

From: Pistis Sophia

(1) The power is a portion of the Light that is in-breathed into the soul, remaining within it to give it sense and guide it towards the Light, and the Saviour's power.[37] (2) One of the components that is initially feeble in a newborn, and it draws from the delights of the world, contributing to the individual's development.[38] (3) Powers are the entities that Yew bound into the five regents, indicating a specific action that was performed.[39] (4) The power is another element that is separated from the counterfeiting spirit, the body, and the destiny, according to Mary's interpretation.[40] (5) This is something that is taken from the speaker and needs to be saved, representing a source of strength and connection to the divine that has been lost.[41]

From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten

(1) This is one of the attributes of the divine, and is spoken of, and glorified.[42] (2) The power is one of the constituent elements of man, which senses after the light of the height, according to the exposition.[43] (3) The power is what the disciples will receive, as they are promised by Jesus, to pass through the realms of the powers, and also the power that the disciples will have over the Rulers, after the Mystery of Withdrawing the Evil.[44] (4) The entities who were astonished at the word, and who took measures to slay Jesus, and especially Ialdabaoth.[45] (5) The powers, the nature-powers, are fearful of the mind within man, the name of the Heavenly Man, and they wage war on him, though man's mind eventually overcomes them.[46]

From: The Gnostics and Their Remains

(1) The aspect that goes up unto the Virgin of Light after the soul has been conducted out of the body, and after three days.[47] (2) The Power is the subject of the inscription, which asks for protection, providing clarity and eliminating uncertainty regarding the other examples of its category, as stated in the provided information.[48] (3) This term describes those who laid claim to the possession of Helen, leading to conflict, and who, according to Simon, were the creators of the world, as indicated in the text.[49]

The concept of Power in local and regional sources

History Books

Power, in this context, signifies a transformative ability, embodying the healing influence attributed to Germanus, which restored health and symbolizes significant strength and impact through spiritual or miraculous interventions.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) This is what the goddess resides in all beings as, emphasizing the significance of strength and influence.[50] (2) This is not the goal, and when thought is joined to will, we call it power, and it takes a long time to earn it.[51] (3) These mark success in the practice and can be produced by various means, such as repeating a Mantra, Yoga practice, meditation, fasting, or the use of herbs and drugs.[52] (4) Power is what the Yogis call the Kundalini, coiled up, and when that Kundalini awakes, it tries to force a passage through this hollow canal.[53] (5) The power that will have its rise from here will flood the whole world.[54]

From: Triveni Journal

(1) Entities or nations with the capacity to exert influence or power over global affairs, particularly in reference to the decisions regarding Japan.[55] (2) The ability or capacity to act or influence.[56]

From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England

(1) This is what restored health by the touch of Germanus.[57]

Plural form: Powers.