27 - THE PRESENT MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14

INTRODUCTION The Holy Spirit has many ministries. Before a person is saved, the Holy Spirit convicts of sin and brings the person to Jesus Christ. At salvation, the Holy Spirit works in the person’s heart to regenerate the sinner and to give a new nature so that the believer experiences a new life. The Holy Spirit also indwells those who yield to God. The Spirit works through the Christian by means of spiritual gifts to produce the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit also works in the believers’ behalf in heaven. He gives the Christian a new standing in Christ and seals a guarantee of eternal life. The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian and his presence becomes the channel through which God makes the Christian holy and spiritual.

Those who seek the filling of the Holy Spirit will receive power for Christian service. Dwight L. Moody had such an experience of the fullness of the Holy Spirit and saw God use him to accomplish more than he had previously done. "One day in New York-what a day! I cannot describe it! I seldom refer to it! It is almost too sacred to name! I can only say God revealed Himself to me! I had such an experience of love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand! I went to preaching again. The sermons were no different. I did not present any new truth. Yet hundreds were converted. I would not be back where I was before that blessed experience if you would give me Glasgow!"

We should study the biblical principles of how God works and examine the great men in our heritage so we can have the same power today. The Holy Spirit that used Peter on the day of Pentecost and Moody in the last century, is the same Holy Spirit that will work in us today. God’s will for us may not be as an evangelist like Dwight L. Moody. But for whatever task, and however mundane, God desires that we yield ourselves to him (Romans 6:13) so that he can use us fully. As we come to study the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, we must remember that there are many false teachings regarding his ministry. Some teach that a Christian’s sin nature can be eliminated by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Others teach that speaking in tongues by the power of the Holy Spirit is a gift to be universally sought. A systematic study of the present ministry of the Holy Spirit will ground the believer in truth, and if this is done well, he will not become involved in contemporary false teachings and practices. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE WORLD The Holy Spirit is active in the world today. Though at times we may wonder if anything is going right and we may think the world is in total chaos, things are never as bad as they would be if the Holy Spirit were removed from the world. The Holy Spirit is working in reproving the world so people will become Christians, and he is restraining the power of sin in the world.

Reproof. Concerning the Holy Spirit, Jesus taught, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit today is actively reproving, or convicting, in the world. The terms "reprove,’ "convict," and "illuminate" all have similar meanings. These terms speak of the work of the Holy Spirit in setting forth the truth and causing a person to see it as such. Jesus identified at least three areas in which the Holy Spirit could convict a person in the world. This does not necessarily mean a person will respond positively to the gospel and accept the truth, but that the Holy Spirit will cause a person to see the truth. The Holy Spirit will convict of sin. The sin which keeps people out of heaven is unbelief. "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18). Of course, all sin can be forgiven but sin is not forgiven apart from faith. "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). When a man violates the law of God, he has attacked the character of God. The Holy Spirit convicts "of sin, because they believe not on me [Jesus]" (John 16:9). The Holy Spirit convicts concerning righteousness. When Paul described the process in which an individual or society degenerates into gross immorality, he identified the starting point of the downward cycle as "unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). When Jesus spoke of righteousness, he was not referring to the good works or moral codes of men. He was speaking of the righteousness of God. When Jesus was among men, he stood as an example and reflection of the righteousness of God. His sinless life convicted men who saw him of their own unrighteousness. When the religious leaders of Jerusalem brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, Jesus responded, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). That statement brought conviction to the accusers (John 8:9).

Now that Jesus has returned to heaven, the Holy Spirit convicts "of righteousness, because I [Jesus] go to my Father, and ye see me no more" (John 16:10). It is the Holy Spirit who today causes men to see themselves in relation to the righteousness of God. When that occurs, like Isaiah, men see themselves as "[men] of unclean lips, and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for [our] eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:5). The Holy Spirit convicts today in terms of "judgment, because the prince of this world is judged" (John 16:11). When Jesus died on the cross, one of his last statements was, "It is finished" (John 19:30). That victorious pronunciation marked the sealing of a victory in a battle which began in the Garden of Eden. At the fall of man, God promised one who would win the battle over the serpent and his seed (Genesis 3:15). This struggle continued through the years and continues today. When Jesus was about to leave his disciples for the cross, he said, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Though the struggle between God and the devil has continued since then, the victory is secure. The Holy Spirit causes men to see that the devil has been judged and their sin will also be judged if they continue in it.

Oftentimes it is our tendency to classify certain sins as more evil than other sins. Depending upon cultural values, some sins may be more acceptable than others in the world, but all sin is repulsive to God. The sins we may choose to identify in our soul-winning efforts may not be committed by all people. For example, not everyone lies, cheats, steals, or hates, but everyone apart from Christ is guilty of the sin of unbelief and unrighteousness. The Holy Spirit convicts men of the sins of which they are guilty and "causes them to see" that their sin already has been judged. In this way he shows men their need of a Savior and draws them to the place of salvation.

Restraint. A second major ministry of the Holy Spirit in the world today is that of restraint. The discouraging reports of increasing crime in our cities may make it hard to believe, but things are not as bad today as they could be. On the day of Pentecost, the age of the Holy Spirit was instituted and will remain until Christ returns. During this period of ’time, his presence prevents the complete corruption of the world. Sometimes a Christian can have a similar effect on the unsaved with whom he works. When the Christian is not there, the non-Christian may enjoy off-color stories or curse when speaking, but when the Christian is there, the non-Christian does not feel comfortable in his sin. A man began attending church and was saved in a matter of days after a preacher of the gospel saw him driving a beer truck and waved at him. As God can use our presence to restrain others in their sinful life-style, so the Holy Spirit restrains the devil and the fallen angels of hell in their efforts to totally corrupt the world. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN SALVATION The moment a person is saved, a number of things take place in his life. He ’is born again, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, sealed with the Spirit, and a host of other things almost too numerous to list. Much of this is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Many times a person will not be totally aware of all that takes place when he is saved until years later, but these things happen the moment he trusts Christ as personal Savior.

Regeneration. The Greek work translated "regeneration" is used only once in the Bible as it relates to this ministry of the Holy Spirit. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). Jesus told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Regeneration is that work of the Spirit of God whereby men are given God’s life and God’s nature and made a part of the family of God. Occurring at the moment of conversion, it lasts a lifetime and for eternity to follow. Jesus said, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). This passing "from death unto life" is perhaps the chief feature of regeneration. Indwelling. One of the purposes of God since the beginning was to dwell with man and enjoy fellowship with him. In the Garden of Eden, God would come to walk with Adam and talk with him. After the fall, God spoke with various men to enjoy their fellowship. When men failed to live for God even after the Flood, God established a unique relation with the heads of the patriarchal families. Later on Mount Sinai, he gave. Moses the plans for the tabernacle which served as "the dwelling place of God’s glory." When the tabernacle was replaced with a temple, the glory of the Lord moved into that place where men could meet their God. During the life of Christ, God’s desire to dwell with men was fulfilled when "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14), Today, God dwells by his Holy Spirit in the bodies of those who have been redeemed.

"Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19). Our human bodies have become temples to house the Holy Spirit. A realization of this truth will assist us in our efforts to properly care for our physical bodies. It will also help to keep us spiritually pure and clean. Within the context of the apostle’s question, he is discussing morality. Even if a man had no concern about engaging in immoral activity, the thought of involving "the temple of God" in such a practice should help prevent the progress of sin. When we realize we are never alone but that the Holy Spirit is always with us, even present inside, we will be more cautious in our efforts to live for God.

Baptism. John the Baptist, after witnessing the descent of the Holy Spirit as a dove at the baptism of Jesus, recorded these words: "He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost" (John 1:33).

Later Jesus promised his disciples, "Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days from now" (Acts 1:5). On the day of Pentecost, the disciples had a number of experiences involving the Holy Spirit, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some Christians today have confused some of the facts recorded in Acts 2:1-47 and, as a result, they do not fully realize what the Holy Spirit did for them at their conversion. A key to clearing up this confusion is to understand the difference between the terms "baptism" and "fullness."

Baptism means to immerse or totally surround something. Fullness, on the other hand, refers to placing something within another. It can carry with it the idea of control. On the day of Pentecost, the group in the upper room were both baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. At conversion the person is baptized or placed into Jesus Christ, "For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13). Then there is the filling of the Spirit which Paul commands for Christians. "But be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). The baptism of the Spirit is our new position in Jesus Christ and the filling of the Spirit is his power working through us in Christian service.

Sealing. The Bible also teaches that Christians are sealed by the Holy Spirit. "Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession" (Ephesians 1:13-14). When a man and woman agree to marry, it is customary in our culture for the man to give the woman an engagement ring as a symbol of his commitment to her. Paul was drawing on a similar custom of the first century to explain this aspect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in salvation. When we are born again, we immediately become heirs to all God has promised us. God gives, us the Holy Spirit as a down payment of his commitment to someday give us all the other things he has promised. By way of application, it is important that we "grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by whom [we] are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE The ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives, does not end at conversion, but continues beyond. He fills Christians as they yield to him and allow him to control their lives. He also sheds light on the Scripture, helping the Christian to learn better the things of God.

Fullness. Paul commanded the Ephesian Christians: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). God has given men and women the opportunity to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit for effective service. Rather than allowing alcohol to control the mind of the Christian, it is God’s desire that his Holy Spirit be in control. As we establish our fellowship with God through confession of sins (1 John 1:9) and yield to him (Romans 6:13), we can be filled with the Holy Spirit as commanded in Scriptures.

Some sincere Christians today seek spectacular signs to accompany the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their life. Actually, the Bible does not teach these should be expected today. The Holy Spirit’s fullness within us is primarily to produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The evidence in the Book of Acts of the fullness of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus was power to witness (Acts 1:8). On some occasions (but not every occasion) when Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit sometimes the building shook (Acts 4:31), sometimes they spoke in tongues (Acts 10:44-46), but always the gospel was preached and people were saved. These occasional outward occurrences were often tools God used at that time to accomplish the main objective of witnessing. These outward signs were similar to the purpose that miracles had in the early church, they were an objective authority for the message of God. But when God provided the full revelation of the Word of God as the authoritative message, the outward signs or authorities passed off the scene.

Illumination. Jesus promised, "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). While part of that promise relates primarily to the apostles who recorded Scripture by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it also has application to Christians today as the Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture today. The Holy Spirit has a present-day ministry in the life of a Christian, "that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God" (1 Corinthians 2:12).

CONCLUSION The Holy Spirit is still at work today. He is working to bring the unsaved to Christ. When they accept the invitation of the gospel, the Holy Spirit works to accomplish the salvation of that individual. Even after that experience, he is eager to teach us biblical truth and to lead us each step of the way. Only as we yield our rights to him is he able to fill us and use us as effectively as he desires.’ This is a constant challenge for each of us as we must be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit. This is not simply a convenience, but rather a command. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND YOU see townschart1.jpg

DAILY READINGS Monday: Acts 2:1-13 Tuesday: Joel 2:28-32 Wednesday: Acts 4:23-37 Thursday: Acts 6:1-15 Friday: Acts 7:51-60 Saturday: Acts 10:1-22 Sunday: Acts 10:24-48