6e The Central Role of the Holy Spirit
We continue with our series on Christian Foundation by looking at the central role of the Holy Spirit in the life of any Jesus Follower. So far we have seen that the Holy Spirit was a promised Jesus gave to His followers as He left for heaven. The Holy Spirit was part of the work in creation and active in many places in the Old Testament.
However, as we will see, the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant between Jesus and His church is much more intimate and fulfilling of the Father’s promises. As a Person, the Holy Spirit is active in our conversion and in our daily walk.
So now we continue with our discussion on the Holy Spirit!
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IN THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST
The Spirit was intimately involved with Jesus’ ministry, Luke 4:1, 4:11, 4:18, Acts 10:38. The Spirit began His work with Jesus at Jesus’ conception and birth of Jesus, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:20. Luke 1:34-35. Next the Spirit is revealed at Jesus’ baptism, Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:33, 3:34, appearing as a Dove, to show God’s approval of Jesus.
Then we find in Mark 1:12, Luke 4:1, that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, to be tested. Jesus returned with the Spirit’s power in Him to begin ministry. The Spirit was also evident in Jesus’ preaching and in Jesus’ dealing with the demonic realm, Matthew 12:28.
The Spirit was involved with the events of Jesus’ Crucifixion by helping Jesus to submit Himself and be obedient to the death of the cross, Hebrews 9:14, Philippians 2:8. Jesus’ Resurrection was through the power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 1:4.
The Spirit was involved with Jesus’ Ascension, John 14:1-3, Acts 1:1, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 1:4. This brings a promise of being involved in the Believer’s resurrection as well, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Acts 1:11.
E. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. The Holy Spirit draws humanity to repentance, Genesis 6:3, John 3:5-6, 16:8. He is the Revealer of truth, the Convictor of righteousness and the Witness that judgement is to come, John 14:16-17, 15:16, 16:8-11.
| He teaches – John 14:26 He hears and speaks – John 16:13 He testifies about Christ … Jn 15:26
He encourages – Acts 19:31 He counsels – John 14:16 He convicts of sin -John 16:8 He prays for us – Romans 8:27 He sends people out – Acts 13:4 He knows grief – Ephesians 4:30 He can be resisted – Acts 7:51 He can be tested – Acts 5:9 |
2. He is the One who reveal deeper truth. John 14:16, the Revealor of Truth, “….and I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth.”
3. He is involved in the New Birth; this happens through the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body. “
4. The Spirit confirms the believer’s relationship with the Father, Galatians 4:6, and glorifies the Son, John 16:14-15.
5. The Holy Spirit is involved in the overcoming walk of believers, Acts 1:8, Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:16. It is the Life of the Holy Spirit in the believer that gives us power, 1 Corinthians 12:13-14. He helps develop the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, 1 Peter 1:2. The Holy Spirit continues to perfect us and helps us with the sanctification process, 2 Timothy 2:13.
6. He is responsible for the equipping and empowering of the saints, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, Luke 24:49, Galatians 5:22-23. He calls them into ministry, Acts 8:29, 10:19, 16:6-7, 13:2, 20:28. The Holy Spirit also imparts the spiritual gifts as needed, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.
7. The Holy Spirit also teaches, guides, comforts and reveals that which is given, John 15:26-27,16:13, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 2:12. He witnesses God’s will through peace, Matthew 11:28, John 14:27, Colossians 3:15, 1 Cor. 7:15, Hebrews 7:2, Philippians 4:7, Psalm. 119:165.
8. He is the promise of the Father to the Son, and from the Son to the Believer. He fulfils all the promises of God to the Body of Christ.
The present day work of the Spirit includes all that He did in the Old Testament PLUS He is given as a “greater measure” for all believers in the New Testament. He not only “…falls upon…” as in Acts 8:16, 10:44, but is “… poured out upon…” as in Acts 10:45. He also ‘indwells’, remains and abides forever within the heart of all the redeemed – not just ‘special people’. Compare Genesis 41:38, Exodus 28:3, 31:1-6, Numbers 11:16-29, 27:18, Deuteronomy 34:9 with John 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 2:12. From this short study, we can see that He is much more than an invisible, impersonal force in the life of mankind.
F. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IN THE INDIVIDUAL
The Spirit convicts the World of wrong living, John 16:9, offering deliverance from judgement and restoration of relationship with God.
He is involved with our conviction of sin and our need for God, John 16:7-11, and helps us realise God’s love, Romans 5:5.
The Spirit is involved with our conversion. Without His work we cannot know God or the new birth. He gives us the “gift of repentance”, John 3:5-6, Acts 1:8, Titus 3:5. He brings pardon, encouragement and comfort.
Then the Spirit never leaves us but “dwells with us”, John 14:16-17, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 6:19. The Holy Spirit continues to bring sanctification and cleansing, John 14:16-18, Psalm. 119:9-11, Romans 8:5-6, 28, 15:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 John 1:7. He brings awareness and repentance of heart attitudes, 1 John 4:1-6. He gives us the strength to follow Jesus and the desire for growth, Acts 9:31, John 14:26, Romans 8:26, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Philippians 2:1, Jude 20. He helps us find God’s will for our life, John 16:15.
He gives us the power to serve and be witnesses, to speak in Jesus’ Name, Acts 3:1-16, Luke 12:12, Acts 1:8, Romans 8:5-9, 28. He helps us “bear fruit”, Galatians 5:16-25. He gives us gifts, including joy and peace, Romans 14:17. The Spirit teaches us about warfare and tactics of Satan, John 14:26, Ephesians 6:17.
Paul pictures the walk of the believer with the Spirit as a ‘down payment’ –10% of what is to come, Ephesians 1:13-14. We are told to “… keep on being filled …”. This is to be an ever present, continual refilling rather than a once-off experience. The Spirit prays for us, especially in times of crisis, Romans 8:26. Then He will raise us from the dead, Romans 8:11.
The more we learn about the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of both believers and ‘pre-believers’, the more He stand out as a Force for good in this world. He is not some mystical, wishful thinking essence we can’t understand or be involved in our life. He is an essential part of our walk as a Christi, Jesus Follower.
In our next post, we shall see how the Holy Spirit is involved in the New Testament church, in selecting leaders and spreading the message of Jesus’ life and work. Then we will move onto His work in our personal walk. Lastly, we shall introduce the topic of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as part of Christian Foundation we all need to think through and experience.
Thanks for your openness in hearing His voice,
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations.jesus-treeoflife.info
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Filed under: Foundations of our Faith
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