The Holy Spirit’s Mission

Jesus was fully aware of the great necessity of the Holy Spirit in our world. He repeatedly spoke of sending the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was the “promise from the Father.” On the day of Pentecost, the promise of the Holy Spirit manifested itself in a tangible way among the disciples in Jerusalem. Luke wrote in Acts 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit […].” The disciples began to minister exactly how the Spirit laid it on their hearts. We want to examine some of the functions of the Holy Spirit.

1. In the above Bible passage, Jesus says: “He will guide you into all truth.” As the “Spirit of truth” He would lead the disciples to the full truth. At the time when Jesus explained the mission of the Spirit, events such as Jesus’ crucifixion, His resurrection, and His ascension had not yet occurred. The day of Pentecost was still coming. The first church had yet to make its visible appearance. The apostles had not begun sharing the Gospel. These and future events needed to take place under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It was of great importance that these events would occur properly under the Spirit’s leading because they would become foundational truths of the New Testament Church. The guidance into the depths of these truths remains a continuing work of the Holy Spirit. There is no one who has recognized or fully understood all that is found within these truths. Paul wrote: “We know in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9). So it is with each of us as well.

2. “He will glorify me,” Jesus said. Only the Holy Spirit could glorify Jesus. Only through the powerful working of the Spirit can we begin to realize His humility and sovereignty, His humanity and eternal Godhead, His sufferings and victories, His kindness and sincerity, His Savior’s love and His judgment and authority! We would not truly see Jesus’ magnificence without the distinct presence and action of the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit in our congregations, as well as in our personal lives. The saved soul longs for God and His perceptible presence. It wants to be comforted, enlightened, and refreshed. That is why it seeks the nearness of the Lord. Paul wrote to the Galatians: “before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified!” (Galatians 3:1). This is how the Holy Spirit glorifies the Son of God. May we experience this more frequently in our world today!

However, it must be emphasized that there are obstacles which hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. One obstacle is the excessive glorification of people. This is not the work of the Holy Spirit and we should avoid doing it. The Holy Spirit will only glorify Jesus. We should also consciously commit ourselves to do the same. 

3. The Holy Spirit came to purify and refine our hearts and our lives. The prophet Daniel already made mention of the coming of the Holy Spirit when he said: “Many shall be purified, made white, and refined” (Daniel 12:10). Jesus said to His disciples: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2+5). Paul explained it this way: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Children of God should be pure in their thinking, attitude, character, and heart. They should be free from all selfish ambition, any dishonesty, evil doing, greed, jealousy, and other impure attributes. They should be sincere, well-meaning, reliable, good people. Their hearts should be free from bitterness, bad habits, envy, evil whims, etc. They should also not participate in the vulgarity, unrighteousness, and sinfulness of our present world. This is how a purified and sanctified life presents itself under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. What a blessed state!

4. Another function of the Holy Spirit is His healing ministry. He continues the healing ministry that Jesus established. He wants to guide, govern and safeguard us. In order to perform our tasks and services, He gives us the necessary promptings, encouragement and faith. He equips us for godly service toward our fellow man and the church. Having this in mind, Paul wrote: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, theses are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). In our world today we see how many are driven to seek godless and sinful pursuits. The consequences are misery and suffering. Often people are forced into situations that they did not even want. Paul, on the other hand, shows us the spiritually minded person who is driven and formed by the Holy Spirit. We can request instruction, assistance, advice, and consolation. Jesus specifically called the Holy Spirit “the Comforter” and added these words: “that He may abide with you forever!” (John 14:16). Jesus also said: “I will not leave you orphans, for He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:17-18). The service of the Holy Spirit is varied in order to accomplish His will in our lives. This is important to recognize! Therefore we should continually thank God for sending His Holy Spirit to us. We should give the Holy Spirit ample space and opportunity to do His work in our lives!

F. Krebs

Waterloo, ON