The Dispensation of Grace is the age you're in right now — and the New Testament program for the modern church is the assignment you've been given within it. Most Christians know the doctrine of grace without experiencing its full power. Most know the church's program without actually running it. This supplement is where doctrine becomes deployment.

We've worked through many misconceptions—as well as truths—about God's grace and His plan for this present age. We've also explored the New Testament program for the modern church and discovered something exciting: there are no limitations on believers getting and using God's power in this life. We can operate just as Jesus Christ and the apostles did.

In this supplement, I want to show you how you can receive God's power in your life—and what to do once you have it.

Here's something important: it's a definite command for all believers to receive God's power so they're equipped to witness for Christ.

In Acts 1:4-5, the disciples—not just the apostles—were commanded not to leave Jerusalem until they received the baptism in the Spirit: "And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

Being baptized with the Holy Ghost and receiving power are the same thing. When you're baptized in the Spirit in all fullness, you receive power: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me... unto the uttermost part of the earth" Acts 1:8.

In Luke 24:49, Christ commanded them: "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."

Now, are all believers throughout this age also commanded to tarry until they're endued with power from on High? Absolutely—and this passage makes it clear: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" Matthew 28:19-20.

Jesus also taught that we should ask the Father for the Holy Spirit: "If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him" Luke 11:11-13.

To receive the Holy Spirit baptism, you must thirst, drink, and believe. Jesus made this clear: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.)"

This passage John 7:37-39 can only refer to the fullness of the Holy Spirit received on the day of Pentecost. In Acts 2:33, we read about Jesus being glorified and pouring out the Holy Spirit upon the Church in baptismal measure. Up to that point, people had received the Spirit in a measure, as we saw in Lesson Nineteen, I, 3.

You must "hunger and thirst after righteousness" to be filled Matthew 5:6.

So let's be clear: this enduement of power is for people who are already children of God—not for sinners John 14:17. If you're a believer, born-again and part of God's family, then you need to tarry, wait, hunger, thirst, drink, believe, and receive the Spirit.