The Holy Spirit is God and He carries out definite functions in the world. The Bible records that the Holy Spirit is very active not only in the lives of the people but also in the universe. In the Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit came on a
person and carried out certain function and then left the person (Jud. 6:34, 11:29, 1 Sam. 16:14 Ps. 51:11). But the New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells in the lives of the believers and the Church (John 14:16)
1. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Creation
The Holy Spirit was active in creation in the following four ways..
He was involved in the creation of the heaven and earth (Job 26:13; Ps. 33, is
40:12-14). He was involved in the creation of man (Gen. 2:7; Job 33:4).
He was active in the restoration of earth before the creation of man (Gen. 1:1,2).
He gave life to the beasts of the earth (Ps. 104:30).
2. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Redemption
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit spoke to Noah (Gen. 6:3; 1 Pet. 3:18-20) to redeem the people. Some people did not obey the Spirit (Acts 7:51, 52).
The New Testament says that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment (John 16:9-11). He speaks to people through their conscience and through the word of God bearing witness of Christ and Calvary leading to conversion.
3. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Lives of Believers
The Holy Spirit as a comforter and a guide, dwells in believers and carries out manifold works in their lives from their regeneration (John 3:5, 6) till their glorification. Here are some of the works of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
He seals (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13, 14)
He indwells (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:17)
He gives assurance of salvation (Rom. 8:16, 17; Gal. 4:6)
He fills (Acts 2:4-8; Eph. 5:18)
He sanctifies unto holiness (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2)
He abides continuously (John 14:16)
He baptises (1 Cor. 12:13)
He speaks (Acts 8:29; 1 Tim 4:1)
He teaches and guides into all truth (John 16:13; 1 John 2:27)
He imparts life (John 6:63; 2 Cor. 3:6)
He testifies about Christ (John 15:26)
He brings about renewal (Titus 3:5)
He helps believers to pray (Jude 20; Rom. 8:26-28)
He strengthens believers (Eph. 3:16)
He enables believers to worship (John 4:23, 24)
He gives power for the ministry (Acts 1:8)
He gives spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:7-11)
He gives liberty (2 Cor. 3:17)
He strengthens the inward man (Eph. 3:16)
He comforts (Acts 9:31)
He puts Satan to flight (Is. 59:19)
He anssts to put away sin (Eph. 4:30)
He gives a holy walk (Gal. 5:25)
He sanctifies believers (2 Thess. 2:13)
He gives freedom from law (Rom. 8:2)
He glorifies believers (Rom. 8:11)
4. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Church
The Holy Spirit helped in the formation of the Church at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). He is involved in building the Church as a temple of God (Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19) and gives gifts and the fruit to the members of the Church (1 Cor. 124-11; 28-31; Rom. 12:6-8; Gal. 5:22, 3). The Holy Spirit helps Jesus Christ as an agent of God indirectly, energising and equipping the Church (Acts 13:1-3; 15:28; 1 Cor. 12:8-11; Eph. 4:4-12).
5. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit governed the life of Jesus Christ and guided and helped Him in His ministry. So the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life has become a pattern of God’s work in others.
Jesus was born because of the work of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35, Matt. 1:18-20)
He was led by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 4:1)
He was empowered by the Spirit (Luke 4:14)
He was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 4:1)
He was anointed by the Spirit (Luke 4:18)
He preached by the Spirit (Luke 4:18)
He healed the sick by the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:18, 40)
He drove out demons by the Spirit (Matt. 12:28)
He was offered on Calvary by the Spirit (Heb. 9:14)
He was resurrected by the Spirit (Rom. 8:11; 1 Pet. 3:18)
6. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Writing of the Scriptures
Men of God wrote the Scriptures by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet.
1:21; 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:11).
7. The Work of the Spirit in the Life of Old Testament Leaders
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit descended on men for certain operations and left them after the function was over. Here are a few works of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Old Testament leaders.
He enabled Joseph to rightly interpret the dream (Gen. 41:38)
He filled Bezaleel to work in the Tabernacle (Ex. 31:1-5)
He assisted Aholiab to teach (Ex. 35:33, 34)
He equipped seventy elders to assist Moses (Num. 11:16-29)
He equipped judges like Othniel (Judg. 39-10), Gideon (Judg. 6:34), Jephthah (Judg. 11:29) and Samson (Judg. 14:6, 19; 15:14) for their ministry.
He was with Joshua to lead the people (Num. 27:18-20) Deut. 34:9)
He came on Saul (1 Sam. 10:9, 10, 19:23)
He came on David when He was anointed king (1 Sam. 16:13)
The priests had the Spirit on them (2 Chro, 20:14; 24:20)
Many prophets like Balaam (Num. 24:2), Elijah (1 Kin. 18:12), Elisha (2 Kin. 2:15), Micah (Micah 3:8), Ezekiel (Ezek. 3:12-14), Daniel (Dan. 4:8, 9), Isaiah (Acts 28:25) and Jeremiah (Jer. 1:9) received the Holy Spirit on them.
The Holy Spirit worked actively in the lives of the Old Testament saints as with the believers of the New Testament, but in a different way.
8. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant
According to the new covenant, the Spirit will remain on the people forever (Is. 59:21), renew and sanctify the hearts of men (Ezekl, 36:25-27). He will also rest upon the Messiah who makes the covenant (2 Cor. 3:6; Is. 11:2: 42:1; 61:1) and will be poured upon all people (Joel 2:28, 29) and on the house of Israel (Is. 44:3; Ezek. 39:29).
9. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Other Places
The Holy Spirit filled and used the apostles mightily. He equipped Bezaleel for a special task (Ex. 31:2-5), gave physical strength to Samson (Judg. 14:6). enlightened men (Job 32:8) and helped people to carry out the assigned task (Jud. 6:34).
Believers can experience the work of the Holy Spirit in their day-to-day lives and in their ministry. Is this not a rare privilege to live under the Lordship of the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord with His strength?
