Pneumatology II: What Does The Holy Spirit Do?

What does the Holy Spirit do?

Definition: “The work of the Holy Spirit  is to manifest the active presence of God in the world, and especially in the church.” (Wayne Grudem)

The definition reflects that the Holy Spirit is the member of the Trinity and represents Him doing God’s work in the world.

“The Holy Spirit is present in God’s creative work to bring creation into being and to infuse life into its subjects.”  (Michael F. Bird)

The Spirit as Creator

“The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4)

The Spirit Illuminates Us for Salvation

Illumination can refer to salvation or greater understanding of Scripture (2 Cor 4:4, Acts 26:18, Heb. 6:4)

“We are initiated into the Christian life through the Spirit’s activity in our conversion and regeneration.” (Millard Erikson)

The Spirit Reminds Us of Truth

John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 14:17  “even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you”

The Spirit Gives Us Assurance

The Holy Spirit gives us assurance and gives evidence of the work of God within us.

Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

The Holy Spirit Sanctifies

The Holy Spirit works to sanctify believers.

Sanctification is the continued transformation of moral and spiritual character so that the believer’s life mirrors the standing a person has in God’s sight.

The Holy Spirit Empowers

The Holy Spirit empowered disciples for various ministries.

Ephesians 3:14-19 (V16) “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”

“The well from which we get the power to live life for God will never run dry no matter how many times we draw from it. The powerful presence of God in our lives in not a one-time thing- it is eternal.”