What is the primary work of the Holy Spirit?
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:14
John baptized believers with water, but he said that one greater than him would baptize with the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 3:11). The coming of the Holy Spirit, which was prophesied by Joel, happened at Pentecost (see Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17-21). “Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified (John 7:39). The promised coming of the Holy Spirit happened when Jesus was exalted at the right hand of the Father (see Acts 2:33).
The resurrected Jesus appeared to many of His followers during the course of 40 days and instructed them, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised. . . . You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:4,8). The Church Age began the moment believers received the Holy Spirit. Even though they had seen the resurrected Christ, they could not be witnesses until the resurrected life of Christ came to dwell within them through the power of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, they were filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not a cosmic force—He is the Third Person of the Trinity. God’s Holy Spirit had inspired the Old Testament prophets, moved among His people, and been present with them in the Person of Christ, but now He would dwell within us as the Spirit of Christ. The Church, or the Body of Christ, is comprised of those believers who are born again spiritually by the action of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bears witness with their spirit that they are children of God (see Romans 8:16). Every believer, upon the simple condition of faith in Christ, is reborn (or regenerated, see Titus 3:5); baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:13); indwelt perpetually (see Romans 8:38-39); sealed (see Ephesians 1:13-14); and given the privilege of being filled by the Holy Spirit continuously (see Ephesians 5:18).
Jesus promised, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit is first and foremost the Spirit of truth, and “he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13), and that truth will set you free (see John 8:32). Jesus said, “He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you” (John 16:14). The primary work of the Holy Spirit is to communicate God’s presence to us, and because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have the power to live a righteous life. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14).
The Early Church was persecuted for their belief in God and discovered their need to maintain an intimate relationship with Him. They had been baptized into Christ, and now they needed to be continuously filled with the Spirit. “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” (Acts 4:31).
questions to consider:
What did the coming of the Holy Spirit enable the early followers of Christ to do?
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit inspired the prophets and moved among God’s people. What role would He now play after the Day of Pentecost?
What evidence in Scripture reveals that the Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity?
How does the Holy Spirit enable you to be all that God created you to be?
Why is it necessary for you to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit?