The Holy Spirit is clearly functioning in our world, according to the Bible. The book of Acts, which is commonly referred to as "The Acts of the Apostles," might just as accurately be referred to as "The Acts of the Holy Spirit via the Apostles." There have been certain changes since the apostolic age, such as the Spirit no longer inspiring new Scripture, yet He is still at work in the world.
To begin, the Holy Spirit performs multiple roles in the lives of believers. He is the Counselor of the Believers (John 14:26). He indwells and seals believers until the day of redemption, implying that the Holy Spirit's presence in the believer is irreversible. He protects and ensures the salvation of those in whom He dwells (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The Holy Spirit helps believers pray (Jude 1:20) and “intercedes for God's people in accordance with God's will” (Romans 8:26–27).
The believer is regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). The Spirit baptizes the believer into the Body of Christ at the moment of redemption (Romans 6:3). Believers are born again through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5–8). As believers journey through a hostile world, the Spirit consoles them with fellowship and joy (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14). In His powerful might, the Spirit fills believers with "all joy and peace" when they trust the Lord, causing believers to "overflow with hope" (Romans 15:13).
Another action of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is sanctification. The Holy Spirit opposes the desires of the flesh and guides the believer to righteousness (Galatians 5:16–18). The fruit of the Spirit becomes increasingly visible as the deeds of the flesh become less visible (Galatians 5:19–26). Believers are commanded to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), which implies to submit to the Spirit's complete control.
The Holy Spirit is also a provider of gifts. “There are various sorts of gifts, but they are all distributed by the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4). The Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts on Christians as He sees fit in His wisdom (verse 11).
The Holy Spirit also works with unbelievers. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to “convict the world about sin and justice and judgment” (John 16:8, ESV). The Holy Spirit bears witness to Christ (John 15:26), directing people to the Lord. Currently, the Holy Spirit is also restraining sin and combating the world's "hidden power of lawlessness." This deed prevents the Antichrist from rising (2 Thessalonians 2:6–10).
We can comprehend God's thinking, as revealed in the Scripture, because we have been given the extraordinary gift of God's Spirit within ourselves. The Holy Spirit assists us in comprehending. This is God-given wisdom, not man-made wisdom. No amount of human understanding can ever replace the teaching of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12–13).
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