NEW TESTAMENT WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In this study we will look at the Holy Spirit’s work in the New Testament. We have already seen some of the work of the Holy Spirit from studying the Old Testament, His Names and His New Creation Work. Yet, we want to delve further into His many and glorious works.

The Holy Spirit is the One that produces spiritual fruit in our lives as we yield to Him. (Galatians 5:22-26)

The Holy Spirit gives us life and peace.

Romans 8:6 – “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

We already talked about the life giving power of the Holy Spirit in our new birth and making us into a new creation. It is important to note in this verse that peace doesn’t come automatically. Not all Christians have the full peace of God because they have not completely given over their minds to Christ. The battle for peace is in the mind. Peace comes when our emotions are submitted to the mind that is controlled by peace. Many a non-believer has greater peace than a believer because they discipline their minds. Yet, their minds are put under control in their own strength, not in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to His saints. We find nine of them listed in I Corinthians 12:7-11. Each believer who is baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit is given one or more spiritual gifts. These gifts are manifested in our lives as release them by faith in God’s ability to use us in these ways.

The Holy Spirit guides us as we yield to his direction.

Acts 8:29 – “The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

Acts 16:6-7 – “ Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.”

Being led by the Holy Spirit is more than being willing to be led. It requires discipline in training our spirits to listen to the Spirit of God. Learning the voice of the Lord (Holy Spirit) comes through prayer, devotional reading, Bible teaching, trail & error, and fellowship with other believers who have already know the voice of the Lord well.

The Holy Spirit puts God’s Word in the mouth of his prophets. (Zechariah 7:12)

I Peter 1:21 – “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit does not only speak to us individually, but He often gives message for the whole church.

Revelation 2:7 – “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

The Holy Spirit makes us one and equal in God’s eyes. (Eph. 4:4)

I Corinthians 12:13 – “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.”

The Holy Spirit helps us proclaim the message of God with boldness.

Acts 4:31 – “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

I Corinthians 2:4 – “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,”

Even is we are timid in nature, we speak boldly and with wisdom under the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit we give us courage to witness to the lost. He will empower are sermons and teachings.

The Holy Spirit sets people apart to Him and the service of the Lord.

Acts 13:2-4 – “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” (see to Acts 20:28)

1 Peter 1:2 – “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

It is the Holy Spirit who sets us apart unto God and sanctifies us. It is he Holy Spirit who enables us to walk pure and holy lives.

Romans 8:13 – “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

This is not a complete description of the work of the Holy Spirit. We will be delving more into this in another teaching post.

As we can see the Holy Spirit plays a very important role in the life of believers and His church. We need to continually yield ourselves to His work in our lives.