Posted by Ten important functions of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of God (The Father, The word-Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit). He (The Holy Spirit) has been there since the beginning with the Father. It’s the same with the word, Jesus Christ. Let us look at then important functions of the Holy Spirit:
1. He testifies and signifies the presence of God.
The sight of leaves shaking or trees swaying signifies the presence of wind. Even so, the presence of the Holy Spirit is a sure indicator of the presence of God. In that atmosphere we can call on Him in prayer, praise and worship. Whenever you want the power of God to manifest, let the Holy Spirit be present and you will see signs and wonders.
Numbers 11:25-26. (25) And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
(26) But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.
2. Equips and empowers the saints for the work of the Ministry.
The Holy Spirit equips the saints for the work of the Ministry. For the church of Christ to accomplish its goals, the Holy Spirit brought the Five-Fold Ministry. These are pastors, apostles, evangelists, preachers and prophets.
Ephesians 4:11. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
The Five-Fold Ministry members has its own distinct function and area of working. The evangelists have the mission (the great commission) of spreading the gospel to new souls. They traverse the earth in the process of proselyting. Pastors and teachers receive the new converts from evangelical work. They have the work of feeding the new saints with the word and teachings that will grow them into disciples.
3. He is our teacher.
The Holy Spirit is a giver of knowledge and wisdom. He teaches the ways of God for every kind of situation and assignment.
1st Corinthians 2:13. “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
John 14:26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
4. Enables revelation and prophecy.
In the presence of the Holy Spirit, we get revelation and prophecy. The Holy Spirit exposes both the events that have already occurred and those that will happen in the future.
1st Corinthians 12:4. Now there are diversities of Gifts, but the same Spirit.
Ephesians 1:17. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:”
2nd Peter 1:21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
1st Corinthians 2:10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
5. Gives power to pray in tongues.
Under the power of the Holy Spirit we get to pray in tongues. It should be noted that the Holy Spirit takes over prayer for us in words and groanings that we can’t understand. Sometimes we want to pray to God but don’t have the right words. This is when he takes over in prayer to our Father. Furthermore, praying in tongues is a direct communication between a Christian and God. Therefore, the tongues will not be for translation as compared to speaking in tongues to a congregation or a group of brethren. Also note that this is a special gift and not everyone can pray in tongues.
Romans 8:26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
6. Gives power to speak in tongues.
With the Holy Spirit in us, we are able to speak in tongues if one is addressing an audience directly. This gift is rare but still manifests. Additionally, the Holy Spirit appoints another brethren to interpret the words for the same audience. Undoubtedly, when speaking in tongues to an audience, the tongues in which one speaks should be one of the tongues spoken by people of a particular area. Furthermore, the tongue spoken must be foreign to the person speaking it.
Acts 2:1-4. (1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
(2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
(3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
(4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
7. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.
The Holy Spirit searches the hearts of men. For this reason, He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.
John 16:7-11. (7) Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
(8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
(9) Of sin, because they believe not on me;
(10) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
(11) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
8. Gives guidance and counsel.
Whenever we need help in decision making or words of wisdom in any situation, the Holy Spirit comes in.
John 16:13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Acts 16:6,7. (6) Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
(7) After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
9. By the Holy Spirit, God made the earth, the creation and the Heavens.
Job 26:13. By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.
Job 33:4. The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
10. Gives power to discern.
Discernment is the special ability to uncover hidden truths. Through discernment, the Holy Spirit exposes the schemes of our enemies.
Acts 13:6-11. (6) And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
(7) Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
(8) But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
(9) Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
(10) And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
(11) “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.”
Acts 16:16-18. (16) And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
(17) The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
(18) And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
11. He sanctifies.
In simple terms, to sanctify means to ‘’make holy’’. Sanctification enables us to live in Holiness and obedience according to the word of God. When we are sanctified, we are able to submit our hearts, minds and bodies to Jesus Christ. This happens when the Holy Spirit to convicts the soul of sin. John 16:7,8.
1 Corinthians 1:2. “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”
SHALOM