The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Work of the Holy Spirit
INTRODUCTION The Holy Spirit is a Divine Personality who has a definite function in the world. A study of the Scripture reveals that the Holy Spirit has been very active. His activity has been shown in regard to the Universe and the people on the earth.
Since Pentecost His ministry has changed somewhat with regard to believers. In the Old Testament the Spirit had a "come and go" ministry. At Pentecost He came to indwell believers and abide in the living Church of Jesus Christ.
Judges 6:34, "But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon."
1 Samuel 16:14, "But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul."
Judges 11:29, "Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephtha."
Psalms 51:11, "Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me." This prayer of David is definitely appropriate after Pentecost for the Spirit has now taken up residence permanently.
John 14:16, "... Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever."
IN RELATION TO CREATION
The Holy Spirit was active in creation. Genesis 1:2, "The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." See also Job 26:13-14 : Psalms 104:30; Job 33:4.
Psalms 33:6, "By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." (breath of the Lord here being the Holy Spirit)
IN RELATION TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNIVERSE
Isaiah 40:7, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it." The Spirit creates and preserves. He also destroys at will.
Psalms 104:30, "Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth.? By the Word of God and the Spirit’s power the world is renewed.
IN RELATION TO THE UNBELIEVER
John 16:8-11,’And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. "
He will convince the world of sin because they do not believe in Jesus Christ.
He will convince the world of righteousness because Christ was completely righteous.
He will convince the world of judgment for Christ has already been judged (at Calvary).
It is the work of the Holy Ghost to constantly bear witness of Christ and Calvary. This He does largely though not exclusively through the testimony of believers for He operates on the conscience of men through the Word of God.
IN RELATION TO THE SCRIPTURES
The Holy Spirit is the author of the Scriptures. 2 Peter 1:20-21, "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." The Holy Spirit is also the interpreter of the Scriptures to us. John 16:14.
John 14:26, "He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
O how faithful the Holy Spirit has been in my own life to bring back to my memory verses of Scripture in the hour of need, particularly in answering difficult questions.
IN RELATION TO JESUS CHRIST
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, literally born of the Spirit. Luke 1:35.
He was led of the Spirit into the wilderness after the baptism to be tested, Matthew 4:1.
Jesus was anointed by the Spirit for service, Acts 10:38.
Jesus was crucified in the power of the Spirit, Hebrews 9:14.
Jesus was resurrected from the grave by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 1:4; Romans 8:11.
Jesus instructed His disciples and Church through the Spirit, Acts 1:2.
Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the believers, Acts 2:33.
IN RELATION TO THE BELIEVER
He assures the believer of sonship and makes him son-like, Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 4:6
He seals the believer as a pledge or earnest of future glory, 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14.
He fills the believer with Himself, giving a victorious life, Acts 1:4-8; Ephesians 5:18.
He sanctifies the believer, sets him apart unto holiness, 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2
He abides continuously with the believer. John 14:16.
He takes the Word of God and teaches the believer, John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13.
He brings to remembrance the things that we have faithfully learned, John 14:26.
He testifies to us regarding the Saviour. He constantly reveals Christ, John 15:26
He guides the believer into all truth, John 16:13. This is the cure for error.
He takes our bodies and glorifies Christ in and through them, John 16:14.
He takes the things of Christ, spiritual things and reveals them to us, John 16:14.
He gives us power to obey God in the time of weakness and strengthens us, Ezekiel 36:27.
He gives the believer power to obey the truth irrespective of cost, 1 Peter 1:22.
He gives the believer freedom from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2.
He takes the weak believer and fulfills the law of righteousness in him, Romans 8:3-4
He gives the believer power to please God by granting victory over the flesh. Romans 8:1-39.
He will quicken this mortal body of ours, Romans 8:11.
He gives power to mortify the deeds of the body, Romans 8:13.
He directs the believer in his prayer life to pray in the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
He gives the believer victory over the terrible desires of the flesh, Galatians 5:16-17.
He leads the believer out from under the law to liberty in Christ. Galatians 5:18.
He is the One that causes us to bear the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
He gives us a holy walk as we are led by the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25.
He assists us in putting away the things that displease our Father God. Ephesians 4:30-32.
He puts Satan to flight by lifting up a standard against him, James 4:7; Isaiah 59:19,
He gives rest to the soul that is trusting in the Lord. Isaiah 63:14.
He makes Jesus Christ Lord (master and king) in our private lives, 1 Corinthians 12:3.
He gives liberty, freedom to the child of God, 2 Corinthians 3:17.
He gives divine love to the children of God, Romans 5:5; Colossians 1:4; Colossians 1:8.
He gives fulness of joy, complete happiness and satisfaction to the saints, Acts 13:52.
He strengthens the inward man with spiritual power - power to resist, Ephesians 3:16
He gives righteousness, peace and joy to the Lord’s children, Romans 14:17; Romans 15:13.
He reveals, interprets and applies the deep things of God, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14.
He empowers us to impart truth to others, Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
He inspires worship and adoration of God Himself, John 4:23-24; Php 3:3.
He comforts, Acts 9:31, ". . . and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost."
He calls men in Christ and directs them in their service. Acts 8:27-29; Acts 13:2-4.
He leads in the details of the believer’s life and service, Matthew 4:1; Romans 8:14; Acts 10:11-48.
He makes genuine our access to the Father in heaven, Ephesians 2:18.
He makes known our redemption rights, our possessions in Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:12.
This list of forty points was compiled by H. S. Miller in "The Christian Workers’ Manual." Though it is lengthy I doubt if it is complete, for it does not include the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 that the Spirit gives to the Church.
OTHER WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
He strove with men in Genesis 6:3, attempting to turn them from sin to righteousness.
He enlightened men, Job 32:8; the Holy Spirit gave them understanding.
He endued men with skill. Exodus 31:2-5, ". . . Bezaleel. . . filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship to devise cunning works."
He helped men do ordinary tasks like blowing a trumpet. Judges 6:34 (Gideon).
He gave physical strength to Samson, Judges 14:6.
I’m sure that this list is far from complete, too, for the Spirit has been so active. CONCLUSION Let us praise the Lord for the faithful ministry of regeneration by the Spirit. John 3:1-36.
Let us praise the Lord for the gifts that He graciously gave us, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Is it right to pray the prayer of Psalms 51:11 b today? Why’?
Give two verses that teach that the Holy Spirit was active in creation:
What verse teaches that the Holy Spirit renews and preserves the universe?
Of what 3 things does the Holy Spirit convict the world?
Name two ministries of the Holy Spirit in regard to the Scriptures.
List 7 things that the Spirit did for the Saviour.
Can you add one point to the list of 40 things that the Spirit does for believers?
What are the 5 most precious works of the Spirit to you personally?
List 5 of the Spirit’s works toward believers mentioned in the Book of Romans.
List 5 other works of the Holy Spirit.