The Ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT
in the CHURCH and BELIEVER
D
URING MY PASTORATE, I kept the ministry of the Holy Savior and Lord. In his 26-verse sermon, he referred to Christ 25
Spirit before my people. I knew if the church was to grow times.
spiritually and numerically, and if my people were to devel- These facts clearly identify three principles:
op as mature disciples of Jesus Christ, there must be a scrip- 1. God is not offended when people do not understand the
tural understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. ministry and manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
Now, in my leadership role as general overseer, I feel God is 2. Explanation of the Holy Spirit should be scripturally, not
directing the church to cultivate a greater understanding and just experientially, founded.
emphasis on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We live in changing 3. The Holy Spirit always leads us to Jesus Christ, the Lord and
times! We are reaching out to people who have no knowledge of Savior (John 16:12-15).
the infilling and ministry of the Holy Spirit. As Paul asked a group Something marvelous happens when the Holy Spirit moves into
of Ephesians, “‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you the life of a person. There is a growing, ever-deepening relationship
believed?’ So they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard with God. Such a relationship shines light on one’s character. It
whether there is a Holy Spirit’” (Acts 19:2, NKJV). strengthens one’s ability to communicate. It opens up the crucible
In the second chapter of Acts, the various responses to the out- of a person’s life, and out of that crucible comes a reflection of the
pouring of the Holy Spirit are described. depth, the truth, and the meaning of the
Some were “filled with the Holy Spirit and ministry of God’s Holy Spirit.
began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance” (v. 4, NKJV).
Something marvelous happens
God is at work in the world. He wants
to have a relationship with His children
Others were “confused,” “amazed,” and
when the Holy Spirit moves
through the Holy Spirit. God’s children
“perplexed” and asked, “Whatever could have a responsibility to understand and
this mean?” (vv. 6, 7, 12, NKJV). Some
into the life of a person. It
know the Word of God and the ministry
“were mocking” (v. 13). and power of the Holy Spirit.
The people of the 21st century offer opens up the crucible of a
the same kinds of responses. The church
Four Acts of the Spirit Are
must answer in a positive manner like the
person’s life, and out of that Taking Place in the World
apostle Peter. He preached a well-orga-
nized, thoughtful sermon answering the
crucible comes a reflection
Brooding, breathing, birthing, and bat-
tling—these four words represent what
people’s questions (vv. 14-40).
of the depth, the truth, and
the Holy Spirit is presently doing in the
First, Peter referred to the Old Testa- world.
ment. Over one half of his sermon was
the meaning of the ministry
1. Brooding. The Holy Spirit is “brood-
quoted from the ancient prophets. ing” over the earth, an analogy of the
Second, Peter preached Jesus Christ as of God’s Holy Spirit. opening verses of Genesis (1:2, TLB). It
6 EVANGEL • MAY 2009
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