MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“But the HELPER, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things” – John 14:26a

The Father’s Works and the Messiah’s Mission are basis for the MINISTRY of the HOLY SPIRIT: “But the HELPER, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (Jh.14:26). Christ gave this message of comfort and made these stunning promises, not just to His eleven disciples, but to all Believers – all who love Him: “If you love Me, keep My commandments" (v.15). Love for Christ is characterized by their obedience. To the obedient, the Lord extends these promises of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Teacher, and Helper who would minister to the disciples when Jesus left.

In that hour of turmoil, the eleven troubled disciples feared being left alone. Jesus then assured them that they would not be left to fend for themselves; they would have a supernatural Helper – parakletos (Gk.) – literally meaning “one who is called alongside.” The Greek word translated “another” implies: “One of exactly the same essence”! Jesus wasn't sending just any helper, but one exactly like Himsel – same compassion, attributes of deity, and love for humanity. He had been with the disciples' for three years, helped, comforted, and walked alongside them. Now they would have another Helper!

All believers have two “paracletes”: the Spirit of God in us and the Son of God in heaven – our “Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1Jh.2:1). God's Spirit had been active from the Old Testament. At creation, He moved upon the waters (Gen.1:3). He would come upon certain people for specific services, and then depart (1Sam.16: 13-14; Psa.51:11). At Jesus' baptism, the Spirit descended on Him like a dove. The disciples must have been greatly encouraged and comforted to hear Jesus say that He would send another Helper to minister to them when He left. But His promise extended beyond that.

The Holy Spirit was to come to dwell with and in us. He would never leave. He’ll be with us FOREVER (vv.16-17). This fulfilment of Christ's promise of the Spirit’s uninterrupted residence came on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4). It’s a great privilege that God in His grace plants His very essence – the supernatural Helper – in us!

Five aspects of the Holy Spirit’s Ministry are:

Spiritual Perception: The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (v.17). Apart from Him, men cannot understand truth (1Cor.2: 12-14). The world didn't recognize the first Comforter, Jesus, for who He was, and cannot recognize the second – Holy Spirit!

Presence of Christ: is assured by His Spirit (vv.18-19). His dying on the cross would not be the end. He would rise from the dead. Christ’s spiritual presence in every believer is through the agency of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation of Christ: The Holy Spirit's ministry is to point to Christ, not to Himself (Jh.16:15). On the day the Spirit of God came to dwell within him, Peter preached a powerful sermon that clearly delineating who Jesus Christ is, who the Father is, why Jesus came, died, and rose, and how it all related to Israel.

Supernatural Teaching: Jesus says, "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (Jh.16:12). For three years He taught them the Father's truth, but they never understood much. Now He sent a Teacher that would dwell within them and teach them all things (1Jh.2:27). He turned over His teaching task to the Indwelling Holy Spirit (vv.25-26).  

Release of Power: Prior to receiving the Holy Spirit, the apostles were powerless to carry out Christ's unfinished work (Acts 1:8). Every Christian is packed with Holy Spirit’s power (Eph.5:18). God "is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Eph.3:20). It’s time to turn on the ignition switch!

Nothing can take the place of the Holy Spirit's work in the Believer’s life. We are rich beyond imagination because the greatest resource of all – the Holy Spirit – dwells in us and with us forever.