The Holy Spirit is God’s breath hence its name. God has made the Holy Spirit available to us to signify His presence with us always. It does for us what we desire from God provided we also meet God’s conditions. 1 Peter 1:15 says he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct.
The Holy Spirit is subject to the authority of Jesus Christ who is the first born of all creation, Colossians 1:15. The Holy Spirit shall be with us until the second coming of Christ Jesus in glory. The Holy Spirit has been with us since creation. Genesis 1:2 says that the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.
In the Old Testament, God guided us by his spirit through the prophets, Isaiah 63:11. Jesus Christ made it personal to us as our Counselor, John 14:16, 26. The Holy Spirit aids us to fulfill God’s purpose on earth. Time and space would not permit us to exhaust the entire works of the Holy Spirit but a few.
Some works of the Holy Spirit
- Admonishing, Hebrews 3:7
- Anointing, Acts 10:38
- Appointing overseers, Acts 20:28
- Baptism, Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8
- Boldness, Acts 4:8
- Cleansing, 1 John 1:9
- Companionship, Psalms 51:11
- Confession, 1 Corinthians 12:3
- Conviction of sin, Acts 10:44-45
- Counseling, John 14:26
- Deliverance, Acts 13:9
- Divine appointment, Acts 13:2
- Dwells in the body, 1 Corinthians 6:19
- Faith, Acts 6:5
- Fellowship, 2 Corinthians 13:13
- Fruit of the womb, Matthew 1:18, 20
- Fullness, Luke 1:15, 41
- Good gift, Luke 11:13
- Hope, Romans 5:5
- Identity, Luke 3:22
- Inspiration, Mark 12:36; 1 Thess. 1:6
- Joy and rejoicing, Luke 10:21
- Knowledge, Luke 10:21; 12:12; John 14:26
- Laying hands, Acts 8:17
- Lifting burdens, Acts 15:28
- Motivation, Luke 4:1
- Owns conscience, Romans 9:1
- Power, Luke 1:35
- Praying, Jude 1:20
- Preaching, 1 Peter 1:12
- Presence of Christ, John 20:22
- Prophecy, Luke 1:67
- Punishes wrongs, Luke 12:10; Acts 5: 4-10; Isaiah 63:10
- Regeneration, Titus 3:5
- Remembrance, John 14:26
- Renewal, Titus 3:5
- Restoration, Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 5:10
- Restrains speech, Acts 16:6
- Reveals God’s glory, Acts7:55
- Revelation, Luke 2:26
- Salvation, Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16; 10:9-19,13; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Peter 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:14-15
- Sanctification, Romans 15:16
- Seal of God, Ephesians 1:13
- Signs, wonders, healing, Romans 15:19
- Teaching, Luke 12:12
- Tongues, Acts 2:4
- Truth, Acts 5:3; 2 Timothy 1:14
- Unlimited capacity, Philippians 4:13
- Utterance, Mark 13:11
- Washing, Titus 3:5
- Witness for Christ, Acts 1:8; 5:32
- Witness to truth, Acts 20:23
The Holy Spirit is therefore able to satisfy all needs of man. What are our burdens which remain unsolved or appear to be insurmountable? Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 that come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. We waste God’s precious breath when we reject the Holy Spirit. We must not roam aimlessly when the Holy Spirit is for our good. Are we known to the Holy Spirit? May the Holy Spirit keep us focused on Jesus Christ to do his will always.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, breathe afresh on us in the freshness of your Holy Spirit. Possess our souls by your Holy Spirit in order that we may be worthy to walk with you and to work and live for you. Baptize us in your Holy Spirit and let your miracles, signs and wonders follow us as testimonies of your grace to your glory and honour. In your holy name we pray, Amen!!
