Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is indispensable to all. Without Him, knowing God or escaping sin and death is unattainable. As the Trinity's third person, the Holy Spirit is God Himself, endowed with a unique personality. His role is critical in both the redemption of nonbelievers and the ongoing life of the regenerate believer. Originating from both God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son, He shares in the fullness of God's eternal nature. For Christians, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a distinctive mark. Thus, grasping the Holy Spirit's work and essence is crucial, as His absence results in a perpetual separation from God due to sin.
Who Needs the Holy Spirit-Part 2 will address the Holy Spirits work with the unbeliever and His ministry to the believer.
We will address the follow questions in regard to the Holy Spirit. Who Needs the Holy Spirit-part 1 has answered questions 1-3. Who Needs the Holy Spirit-Part 2 will answer question 4 and 5. Who Needs the Holy Spirit-part 3 will answer questions 6 and 7.
The Holy Spirit is a Person.
God is a Holy Trinity!
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What are the Holy Spirits work with unbelievers?
What are the ministries of the Holy Spiri?
What does the Holy Spirit have to do with Salvation?
What symbols represent God the Holy Spirit.
"God, by His Spirit, brings old truth home to the heart, gives new light to our eyes, and causes the Word to exercise new power over us" (Charles Spurgeon).
The Holy Spirits Work with Unbelievers
The Holy Spirit also has a crucial work in the unbeliever's ability to accept the truth that they are a sinner, that Jesus is the only Savior, and the judgment of God is upon them.
The Holy Spirit's Conviction of the Unbeliever
The Holy Spirit convict's unbelievers of their sin, the necessity of righteousness before a Holy God, and the certainty of God's judgment. He convicts sinners to change their mind on who or what can save them. Christ spoke of the Holy Spirit's role with unbelievers, stating, "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment."
"The Spirit applies the truths of God to men’s own minds in order to convince them by fair and sufficient arguments that they are sinners. He does this through the conviction in our hearts that we are not worthy to stand before a holy God, that we need His righteousness, and that judgment is certain and will come to all men one day. Those who deny these truths rebel against the conviction of the Spirit" (John 16:7-11).
Though this describes his work with unbelievers, it is true of believers as well. As believers study God’s Word, the Holy Spirit illuminates it, revealing ways that we have sinned against God or others.
"Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
“Reproof” or “rebuke” refers to how the Word shows us what is wrong, so we can repent. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin through the Word, so we can become holy, as he is holy.
The Spirit testifies of Christ and points unbelievers (all peoples) to Him.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me" (John 15:26).
Offer to Remove God's Wrath
Every human is born into sin and subject to God's wrath. The Holy Spirit, through Jesus, offers redemption to all who believe, delivering them from God's present and future wrath during the Great Tribulation.
"For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:34-36).
The Ministries of the Holy Spirit
We’ve considered the Spirit’s personhood, being part of the Trinity, and deity. Now, we will consider his various ministries. The Holy Spirit’s Ministries are Inspiration, Illumination, Anointing, Conviction, Intercession, Indwelling, Sealing, Deposit, Restrainer, and Baptism.
Inspiration of Scripture
The Holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture
The Bible is inspired, literally “God-breathed,” by the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. The Spirit moved the authors of all 66 books to record exactly what He breathed into their hearts and minds. As a ship is moved through the water by wind in its sails, so the biblical writers were borne along by the Spirit’s impulse. Therefore, Timothy says,
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;(2 Timothy 3:16).
Though Scripture has human authors, they were all inspired by the Holy Spirit—guided by him in the exact words they used and kept from error. Consider what Peter said in about the Spirit speaking through David’s writing of a Psalm:
“Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through David concerning Judas—who became the guide for those who arrested Jesus.” (Acts 1:16).
In addition, Peter said this about Scripture:
"Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter 1:20-21).
The writers of Scripture were “carried along” by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 27:15, “carried along” (translated “driven along” in NET) was used of how those sailing in a ship could not control it because of strong winds, so they let go and allowed the wind to guide the ship.
"And when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along" (Acts 27:15).
Likewise, Christ spoke of the Holy Spirit’s work in leading the apostles in their writing and teaching of the New Testament:
"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth inspiration). For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come" (John 16:12-13).
The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of Scripture—guiding the authors in what was written and keeping them from error as they wrote and taught.
Illumination of Scripture
The Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture by enabling our understanding of it. Illumination refers to spiritual or intellectual enlightenment, shedding light upon or being enlightened, clarifying, making comprehensible, dispelling confusion, becoming clear, interpreting, and explaining the Holy Scriptures. The same Holy Spirit who inspired men to write the Scriptures also illuminates the Scriptures for us.
"Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God. And we speak about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom, but with those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:12-14).
This text describes both inspiration and illumination. As the apostles wrote, the Spirit gave them words which didn’t come from human wisdom but from the Spirit (v. 13)—words like election, justification, sanctification, and glorification. Then, it describes how the Spirit enables “spiritual people”—believers— to understand God’s Word (v. 13), which is why unbelievers (people without God’s Spirit) cannot understand them and therefore reject them (v. 14).
In His role as the Illuminator, the Spirit enlightens us so that we are able to grasp, experience, and apply God's Word to our lives. Anybody who can do that, we need to be close to." (Tony Evans)
Holy Spirit Anoints Believers
Another facet of the Holy Spirit's ministry of Illumination is the "anointing" of believers. Anointing, a term mainly used in the Old Testament, signifies "empowerment." The king, priest, and prophet were anointed with oil, representing the Holy Spirit's empowerment for leadership and ministry. Similarly, the Holy Spirit anoints every believer to comprehend Scripture, guard against false teachings and empower for ministry.
When talking about false teachers and their followers who had left the church of Ephesus, Apostle John said this:
"They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us, because if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But they went out from us to demonstrate that all of them do not belong to us. Nevertheless, you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you that you do not know the truth, but that you do know it, and that no lie is of the truth" (1 John 2:19-21).
These individuals left the church to follow cultic teachings. John explained that the remaining members did not join them because they had an "anointing from the Holy One" and knew the "truth" (v. 20). In contrast to those who left, the remaining members stayed true to their faith, as they were truly saved and blessed with the anointing that enabled them to understand Scripture.
The Holy Spirit continually guides believers towards truth, protecting them from grave mistakes that could amount to a denial of their faith.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:1-5).
"I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd" (John 10:14-16).
Jesus said his sheep hear his voice and they would not follow the voice of another. This is true because of the Holy Spirit’s ministry of leading believers into truth.
"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come" (John 16:12-13).
True believers have an anointing—an empowerment to understand Scripture and discern error. This especially protects them from errors concerning the gospel and other foundational truths, which can affect one’s salvation.
Holy Spirit Intercedes for Believers
Not only does the Holy Spirit illuminate God’s Word and guide us by it, but the Holy Spirit also intercedes on our behalf.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will" (Romans 8:26-27).
Though manifested through groans, the Spirit intercedes in alignment with God's will, ensuring that we undoubtedly progress in sanctity, serve God and our fellow beings, contribute to the flourishing of God's kingdom, and are safeguarded against the evil one, among numerous other blessings.
"We are often perplexed in our prayer life. We do not know how to pray as we should. We pray selfishly, ignorantly, narrowly. But once again the Spirit comes alongside to assist us in our weakness, interceding for us with groanings which cannot find expression. In this verse it is the Spirit who groans and not we who groan, though that is also true. (William MacDonald)
Mystery abounds here. We gaze into the unseen, spiritual domain where a great Entity and powerful forces labor in our favor. Though we may not grasp everything, we can draw boundless comfort from knowing that sometimes, a groan can be the most profound form of prayer.
Holy Spirit Indwells Believer
The Holy Spirit resides in the hearts of God's people, signifying the hallmark of those who are born anew and regenerated. The Spirit guides, teaches, comforts, and influences believers, nurturing the fruits of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. This indwelling creates a profound connection between God and His children. Each genuine believer in Christ has the Spirit dwelling within them.
"However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:9-11).
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19).
For believers, the Holy Spirit takes residence within us at the time of conversion. It is from this ministry that many other ministries emanate. Jesus spoke of the Spirit's indwelling to His disciples prior to His death and resurrection.
“The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you” (John 14:17).
From Christ’s words, it is clear the Spirit was already with the disciples but would be with them in a different way after his death, resurrection, and ascension.
“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).
Indwelling in the Old Testament and New Testament
What is the difference between the Holy Spirit’s ministry to believers in the New Testament versus the Old Testament? There are two things, First, in the New Testament, the Holy Spirits indwelling is Universal and not Selective. Second, it is Eternal and not Temporary. Once you have be indwelled by the Holy Spirit it will last forever.
Holy Spirit Indwells Believers Universally
In the OT, God’s Spirit came upon select people such as the king, the priest, and the prophet, but God could and would withdraw His Spirit. In the NT, the Spirit indwells all believers can never be taken away. Universal means that all (everyone) that believes in Jesus will be saved and indwelled with the Holy Spirit.
"On the last day of the feast, the greatest day, Jesus stood up and shouted out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. Just as the scripture says, ‘From within him will flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37-39).
The Spirit would be given to all those who believe in Christ. Likewise, Peter said this:
“Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
In fact, to not have the Holy Spirit means that one is not born again. The Apostle Paul says:
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him" (Romans 8:9).
In the epistle of Jude, he describes false teachers this way:
“These people are divisive, worldly, devoid of the Spirit” (Jude 19).
If a person doesn't have the Spirit of God dwelling in them, then they are not saved.
The Holy Spirit Indwells Believers Eternally
In contrast consider these descriptions of the Holy Spirit in the OT. Talking about King Saul:
“Now the Spirit of the LORD had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him” (1 Samuel 16:14).
Also, David prayed:
“Do not reject me! Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me!” (Psalms 51:11).
Clearly, the Holy Spirit came upon believers in the OT and dwelled within them, but at times departed. With Saul, the Spirit left him because of his rebellion against God. The Spirit’s leaving him represented a lack of empowerment to lead Israel as God’s representative.
What about the Spirit’s ministry in the New Testament? Will the Spirit ever leave a believer? In , Christ said this about the Spirit’s new ministry,
“Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever” (John 14:16).
When describing the Spirit’s ministry to the disciples, Jesus described a change that was significantly different from the Spirit’s Old Covenant ministry: God’s Spirit would dwell with his disciples forever. The difference between the Holy Spirit’s indwelling ministry in the Old Covenant and the New Covenant is that in the New Covenant, the Spirit indwells all believers and indwells them permanently.
Result of Indwelling Ministry
The Spirit’s ministry of “indwelling” is important even critical, The Holy Spirit’s indwelling is essential to his other ministries. Because the Spirit indwells believers, he also convicts, enlightens, seals, empowers, and gifts, among other things. He affects our lives in two particular ways. He reminds all believers of God's great love and that they have eternal security. (please refer to my 3-part series called You Can't Lose a Free Gift an Indepth study on Eternal Security)
Living together as family is one of the greatest symbols of love in the world societies. The Holy Spirit's indwelling ministry represents an even more significant presence than any earthly experience in family or marriage—it's eternal. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's immense love for us. It becomes particularly crucial when faced with temptations to doubt God's love or His plan for our lives. Christ's sacrifice for us, His union with us, and His perpetual indwelling through His Spirit affirms this truth. God is love and He loves us.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16) and the seal until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30) signify that true believers are eternally secure in their salvation. God promises not to abandon us with His everlasting love, ensuring that we remain members of His family and dwell with Him eternally.
Holy Spirit as a Seal
This is another ministry of the Holy Spirit is the sealing of our salvation. The Holy Spirit is God’s seal, deposit, pledge on His people, His claim on us as His very own. The gift of the Spirit to believers is a down payment on our heavenly inheritance, which Christ has promised us and secured for us at the cross. It is because the Spirit has sealed us that we are assured of our salvation. No one can break the seal of God.
"Who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge" (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5).
"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).
As a seal, the Holy Spirit represents authenticity—he proves that a believer’s salvation is genuine.
"The sealing of which Paul speaks here refers to an official mark of identification that was placed on a letter, contract, or other important document. The seal usually was made from hot wax, which was placed on the document and then impressed with a signet ring. The document was thereby officially identified with and under the authority of the person to whom the signet belonged." (John MacArthur).
Today, official brands will often have a logo—a mark of authentication (cf. Coke vs. cola), which proves it is genuine and not a fake. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is God’s official seal on a believer—proving his or her authenticity.
“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him.” (Rom 8:9).
The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16).
He authenticates us by changing us and making us more into Christ’s image.
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:2-10).
He gives us new desires—desires to pray, serve, gather together, love God and others, be intimate and relational, be thankful, generous, and to read his Word. These types of holy affections authenticate the seal of the Holy Spirit.
Ownership, Security, Authority
The Holy Spirit as a seal represents God’s ownership. In those days, slaves and cattle would bear the seal of the owner. The Holy Spirit not only authenticates us but demonstrates God’s ownership of believers. Seals were also used as a form of security. Often kings or those in authority would seal something to say that it should not be touched or tampered with. As a seal, the Holy Spirit represents the security of a believer.
"In ancient times the seal of a king, prince, or noble represented security and inviolability. When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, King Darius, along with his nobles, placed their seals on the stone placed over the entrance to the den, “so that nothing might be changed in regard to Daniel” (Dan. 6:17). Any person but the king who broke or disturbed that seal would likely have forfeited his life. In a similar way the tomb where Jesus was buried was sealed. Fearing that Jesus’ disciples might steal His body and falsely claim His resurrection, the Jewish leaders obtained Pilate’s permission to place a seal on the stone and to guard it with soldiers (Matt. 27:62–66)" (John MacArthur).
This is one of the reasons we know that a true believer’s salvation is secure. The Holy Spirit seals him. Even though we were redeemed from slavery to sin at salvation, our ultimate redemption awaits our resurrected bodies. The Holy Spirit seals us until that final work happens, and so does Jesus and the Father. Jesus said this in:
"My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (John 10:27-30).
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit work to secure and protect a believer’s salvation. This is another reason the believer has Eternal Security.
As a Seal, the Holy Spirit Represents Authority.
To have a king’s signet ring or seal meant to hold his power and authority.
"Now you write to the Jews as you see fit, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s signet ring may not be revoked” (Esther 8:8).
For example, when Joseph was promoted to second in command over Egypt, he was given Pharaoh’s signet ring
"Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck" (Genesis 41:41-42),
which enabled him to make decisions with Pharaoh’s full power and authority.
In the same way, God’s seal on believers represents their authority to teach the Word of God, defend it, use their spiritual gifts to build God’s kingdom, and conquer Satan, among other things. Christ said this when he ascended to heaven:
Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Because we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit, we have the authority of the King of Kings to do His ministry.
Holy Spirit as a Deposit
The Holy Spirit is referred to as the believer's deposit, pledge, earnest, or down payment. This deposit serves as a guarantee of our future inheritance, ensuring that we will receive all spiritual blessings in Christ, including eternal life. The term 'deposit' can also be interpreted as 'earnest' or likened to an engagement ring, which symbolizes a commitment to a future marriage.
Paul says the Holy Spirit is our “deposit (pledge) guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:14).
"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come" (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
The Lord provided the Holy Spirit as our earnest, which is a down payment that assures the ultimate acquisition of a commodity or property. In past and present times, earnest money is given during a property purchase to secure the transaction, signifying the remainder of the payment will follow. Failure to complete the payment results in the forfeiture of the earnest. Similarly, the Holy Spirit serves as a portion of our future payment, a preview of our eventual heavenly inheritance.
“For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Heaven is envisioned as a realm abundant with righteousness, peace, and joy through the Holy Spirit. These are gifts that the Holy Spirit seeks to bestow upon us presently. The aim is to imbue us with righteousness, cleansing our lives of sin. It is to grant us peace and joy, irrespective of the trials we face. Our current communion with the Holy Spirit serves as a foretaste of what awaits us in heaven.
Holy Spirit Restraining Evil
Another ministry of the Holy Spirit is that of restraining sin and evil on the earth. Tony Evans said this about the Spirit’s restraining ministry:
The Holy Spirit's restraint of sin is like the atmosphere around us. It's helping to sustain this world as we know and experience it. The only reason sin isn't as bad as it could be worldwide is because of the Spirit's restraint.
Paul seems to be referring to this ministry as he talks about the end times. He says: "Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains (Holy Spirit) will do so until he is taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7).
In the end times, it is believed that the Antichrist will unleash unprecedented evil and destruction upon the world. However, at present, this manifestation of Satan's work is being restrained by a person. It is widely accepted that no human has the power to impede Satan's work, and only a divine force (God) can do so. Consequently, many interpret Paul's words as a reference to the Holy Spirit. Presently, the Holy Spirit is holding back the full extent of Satan's destructive agenda for the world, but there will come a time when the Spirit steps aside, allowing Satan's malevolent plan to unfold. This event is anticipated to coincide with the removal of the Church during the Rapture.
When and how the Holy Spirit will be removed is a topic of debate. Some interpret this as occurring just before Christ's return in the end times. Christ spoke of the Holy Spirit coming to dwell within the disciples in a new way:
“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).
Since the Spirit could not come until Christ departed suggests that, similarly, the Spirit will depart before Christ's return to Earth. The Spirit will then be present as He was in the Old Testament. Undoubtedly, He will continue to restrain sin, albeit not in the same way He does now through Christ's disciples, the church.
For this reason, I hold the view that the rapture of the church will occur before Christ's return. Following Christ's ascension, the Spirit started to dwell within the church uniquely, equipping them to act as the salt and light of the world.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men" (Matthew 5:13-14),
Christians are called to assist in curbing sin and fostering righteousness. Before Christ's return, the Holy Spirit will go back to the Father alongside believers who are indwelled and also remaining present and active in an Old Testament manner. Following a time of Satan's fury on earth via the Antichrist, Christ will come back with His saints to pass judgment on the world.
Is there any other evidence of God’s restraining ministry through the Holy Spirit? It appears that the Spirit was performing some type of restraining ministry right before God judged the earth by the world-wide flood. Because of the world’s great sins, God said:
“My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” (Genesis 6:3 (NIV).
In Hebrew, the word for "contend" can also mean "shield" or "protect." Essentially, God had been shielding humanity from the consequences of sin through the Spirit for years. However, due to their persistent rebellion and lack of repentance, God allowed them to face the repercussions of their sin and rebellion—wickedness that was continually in their hearts and minds—by unleashing the flood.
Paul describes something similar in the ancient Roman world. He says:
"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, covenant-breakers, heartless, ruthless. Although they fully know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:28-32).
Essentially, because of the world’s continual rebellion, God hands them over to depraved thinking, leading to worse sin and its consequences. This introduces another way the Holy Spirit restrains sin: he restrains it through humanity’s God-given conscience.
Sin is Restrained Through Humanity’s God-given Conscience
"For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves" (Romans 2:14).
The conscience is meant to be a moral guide in humanity which affirms us when we do right and condemns us when we do wrong. When God hands us over to our evil desires, our mind and conscience cease to work properly, and we start to approve even great evils.
People start to declare that right is wrong and wrong is right, as their hearts become hardened. As in Genesis 6:3, God’s Spirit will not contend or strive with people forever; eventually he allows them to have what their evil hearts want, including reaping the consequences of those evil desires. Likewise, God’s Spirit will do the same during the end-times.
Spirit Restrains Sin Through Teaching, Studying, and Practicing God’s Word
Another way the Holy Spirit restrains sin is through the teaching, studying, and practicing of God’s Word, as he convicts believers and unbelievers of sin.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work"(2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Spirit Restrains Sin Through Government Authorities
He restrains sin through government authorities, as they discipline wrongdoers and reward the righteous.
"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore, it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake"(Romans 13:1-5).
The Holy Spirit restrains sin through families, as they discipline and raise children according to godly guidelines.
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
The Holy Spirit restrains sin through direct intervention, as the Spirit simply sets boundaries on Satan’s work, as in the story of Job.
"Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So, Satan departed from the presence of the Lord" (Job 1:12). "So, the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life” (Job 2:6).
Finally, as mentioned previously, the Spirit restrains sin through the godly witness of the church.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16).
In the end times, the effectiveness of these restraints will diminish as the Spirit's ministry is withdrawn with the departure of the church from this earth. The Spirit will continue to be present to the degree experienced during Old Testament times.
Christian Response to Spirits Restraint
How should we respond to the reality of the Holy Spirit’s restraining ministry? The ministry of the Holy Spirit's restraint cautions us against resisting the Spirit when it convicts us of sin, due to the severe consequences of ignoring such warnings. This ministry also serves as a reminder that God desires to work through believers to curb sin within our circles of friends, family, church, and the broader society.
Compromising or remaining silent in the face of evil impedes the Holy Spirit's work within us, adversely impacting those we are meant to bless. We are summoned to be the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-15)—curbing sin, fostering righteousness, and honoring God with our lives.
Baptism in the Spirit
Another aspect of the Holy Spirit's ministry is the baptism "in" or "with" the Spirit. This baptism is a significant doctrine within the church. Traditionally, the baptism of the Spirit signifies Christ placing believers into His body through the agency of God's Spirit. Through this, we join the community of believers, with Christ as our head. We now belong to Jesus and "Identify" only with Him'
Tony Evans described the baptism this way:
Jesus is the One doing the baptizing. He is the baptizer, not the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the means by which this baptism takes place, the means by which believers enter into this new realm or environment called the body of Christ or the family of God.
Baptism in the Spirit is where all believers experience and are placed in the body of Christ. The concept of baptism means to identify or associate with something or someone. As believers, we are baptized with the Spirit into Christ’s body at salvation.” “All” believers are baptized and not “some.” It is not a secondary work that some experience; it is a primary work that all believers experience when they are saved.
"For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:13).
John the Baptist initially predicted the baptism into the Spirit.
“I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8).
Also, Christ predicted it before he ascended into heaven.
"Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5).
This happened in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit fell on the waiting disciples. They experienced fire above their heads, as symbols of the Spirit’s empowerment, and speaking in tongues, which allowed them to proclaim God’s goodness in different languages. Those visiting Jerusalem during Pentecost stood in awe of them.
"And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God” (Acts 2:6-11).
Peter confirmed that their experience at Pentecost was in fact the baptism of the Spirit, as predicted by Christ.
"And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 11:15-16).
In addition, other believers throughout the book of Acts, who were not in Jerusalem at Pentecost, had similar experiences at later dates when the Spirit fell upon them and enabled them to speak in tongues, symbolizing their baptism in the Spirit.
"Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:14-17).
"Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit" (Acts 19:1-6).
Results of the Baptism
What are the results of being baptized in the Spirit? The baptism in the Spirit provides believers with a new identity and position in Christ. Because of this baptism, Paul constantly refers to the new identity of believers as “in Christ.”
“So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Because we are in Christ, we are new creations. Romans 8:1
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1).
Because we are in Christ, we will not be condemned by God for our sins.
“God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Because we are in Christ, we now are the righteousness of God.
"Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
Because we are “in Christ,” we have every blessing in heavenly places.
“And he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6).
Our being raised and seated in Christ in the heavenlies seems to not only refer to our new position but our new authority in Christ, as we are above all rule, authority, and power in this age and the age to come (cf. Eph 1:20-22).
Paul says our baptism into Christ associates us with his death, burial, and resurrection, therefore setting us free from the power of sin to live a new life in Christ.
"Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4).
Our identity in Christ radically changes everything about us including how God sees us and how we should see ourselves and other believers. This new identity happens as we are baptized in the Spirit into the body of Christ.
The baptism in the Spirit provides believers with a new union with the church. Paul describes how God unified Jews and Gentiles in Christ:
"For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might [c]make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace" (Ephesians 2:14-15).
For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility, when he nullified in his flesh the law of commandments in decrees. He did this ‘to create in himself one new man out of two,’ thus making peace
In Spirit baptism, Christ took two hostile people groups—believing Jews and Gentiles, which encompasses all nationalities—and made them one in Christ.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28).
The reality is that being from different cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds makes the church prone to discord. However, because God has made us one in Christ, through God’s Spirit, we must labor to live out this unity.
“Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:3-5),
The “one baptism” probably refers to Spirit baptism, of which water baptism, ultimately, symbolizes through public confession of our faith in Jesus Christ.
This is part 2 of a 4-part series on God the Holy Spirit. The next in the Series is:
Who Needs God the Holy Spirit? (part 3 - Salvation)
The Holy Spirit is indispensable to all. Without Him, knowing God or escaping sin and death is unattainable. As the Trinity's third person, the Holy Spirit embodies God, replete with a unique personality. His role is critical in both the redemption of non-believers and the ongoing life of the regenerate believer. Originating from both God the Father and Jesus, God the Son, He shares in the fullness of God's eternal nature. For Christians, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a hallmark of their faith. Thus, grasping the Holy Spirit's work and essence is crucial, as His absence signifies perpetual separation from God due to sin. Who Needs the Holy Spirit-Part 3 will address the Holy Spirits work with Salvation.
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