Gospel

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© 2004 Josprel
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The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in Believers
by
Josprel

Because the Christian walk is supernatural, without the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it would be an impossible undertaking. It is therefore of utmost importance that believers understand what the Holy Spirit has made available to make them victorious.

1.) The Holy Spirit regenerates believers.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit in bringing a sinner from spiritual death into new life is "the washing of regeneration and renewal."

Titus 3:5: "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; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior . . ."

The Greek word "paliggenesia" is a conjunction of two Greek words -- "palin" (again or anew) and "genesis" (birth, nativity, beginning). It denotes the same work of the Holy Spirit to which Jesus referred in John 3:3-8, when He told Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . 5 Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 that which is born of the Spirit is spirit . . . 7 . . . ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

A comparison of these two Scriptures indicates both refer the process by which the Holy Spirit raises a sinner from spiritual death into new life in Christ Jesus.

2.) The Holy Spirit purifies believers.
It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to deliver believers from a condition of bondage to the law of sin and death into one of victory over sin. Paul refers to the former state as a walk "after the flesh." The latter he refers to as a walk "after the Spirit."

Romans 8:1-2: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

3.) The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth.
John 16:13-1: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

The Greek word translated "guide" (hodegos) carries with it the comforting connotation of one who safely guides others as they travel along a road. The Holy Spirit conducts or guides believers along the road of truth.

4.) The Holy Spirit enables believers' prayers.
Romans 8:26-27 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

The above Scripture emphasizes the extent to which the Holy Spirit goes to enable believers in their prayers. He actually, prays for them, thus assuring that they are praying according to God's will.

5. The Holy Spirit empowers believers for service.
Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

A) According to the Apostle Peter, this power is available to all believers throughout the entire history of the Church. All who are the called of God are the inheritors of the Promise.

Acts 2:38-39 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

B) So essential did the risen Christ deem this power to be, that He commanded His disciples not to begin their ministries until they had been endued with the power of the Holy Spirit. They were to wait to be equipped for service. Acts 1:4 -5 "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."
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