The Holy Spirit

Pastors and believers need to be Spirit controlled.

Many have heard little or nothing about the glorious event that marked the advent of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2) However, the Bible declares that without the experience of Pentecost, we can know absolutely nothing of the living Christ today (1 Cor. 12:3). "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit." ESV

Let’s take the life of Peter for an example. Peter was so different before Pentecost and after Pentecost. Why? Because the power of the Holy Spirit was now possible.

The Holy Spirit is the only Person who can convict a sinner of his sin and convert him to Jesus Christ. After conversion, He is the only One who can instruct the believer in the truth of Christ. He is the only One who can empower the believer for Christian witnessing. He is the only who can cleanse the heart so Christ can be enthroned.

No Room for the Spirit

D. L. Moody said, “I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.”

Source unknown

The average church member’s understanding of the Holy Spirit is so vague it is nearly non-existent.

Acts 15:8-9--
"And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith."
ESV

One thing is certain.

When Pentecostal power comes, sin is always revealed. This would be embarrassing to many, for the Holy Spirit makes clear and plain the sins in the lives of those who “call” themselves God’s own people. “When he (the Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement.” (John 16:8)

There is little consciousness of sin, not much fear of God and few thoughts of the judgement and wrath of God today. How we need a fresh return of God’s power to cause men to see sin as it is and its destructive results here and in the hereafter.

A return of Pentecost will reveal and expose sin.

But greater still, it will remove sin. Jesus came to baptize us “with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matt. 3:11). The church needs this today. Fire signifies the refining, purging, purifying, cleansing work which God’s Spirit performs in the soul of a man or a woman. No power known top man can remove the dross, the chaff, the filth of sin in the human heart, save the power of the Holy Spirit. Oh, how we need this innermost cleansing today! Thank God, we can have it through the medium of the Holy Spirit. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18)

Seven major ministries of the Holy Spirit.

• Convicts unbelievers of sin, righteousness and judgment: John 16:8-11.
• Regenerates or causes us to become believers: John 3:1-8; Titus 3:5, I Peter 1:23-25; James 1:18.
• Indwells and baptizes the believer: I Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9; John 14:16; I Corinthians 12:13.
• Seals us: Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.
• Imparts gifts: I Corinthians 12:7-11.
• Fills the believer: Ephesians 5:15-21; Galatians 5:16.
• Causes us to bear fruit: Galatians 5:22-23.— The characteristics of Jesus Christ.

Pastor brother or friend in the ministry will you be controlled by the Spirit of the living God this day?