What Does The Holy Spirit Do In The Life Of The Christian Today?

This article is part 3 of 7 in the series Holy Spirit

    On the Day of Pentecost (AD 33) some three thousand were redeemed by the grace of God when they repented and were immersed “for the remission (forgiveness) of sins” as Peter commanded, but that wasn’t and isn’t all that is promised! There was a gift, a gift from God which is for all Christians… the indwelling Holy Spirit, (Acts 2:38-29). 
   This is a special, ‘what I believe’ article… So, if you do not agree, just open your Bible and read the references that are there, and make your own decisions.  (One old preacher told me, “Jack, it’s alright to write about the Holy Spirit as long as you don’t try to explain Him.” Maybe he was right.)
   That all Christians receive the Holy Spirit is beyond a doubt (to me), (Acts 2:39; 5:32). Jesus had promised the coming of the Spirit (John 7:37-39), a Comforter, an Advocate for his disciples (John 16:6-11; Acts 1:1-11). 
   When speaking with Nicodemus, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:1-8). Thus Jesus brings both water (immersion) and Spirit together into the picture of a new birth. Keep in mind… “A WATERLESS, SPIRIT BIRTH, IS NO MORE BIBLICAL THAN A SPIRITLESS WATER BIRTH.” Jesus said this birth is composed of “water” AND “Spirit”.
   It is the Holy Spirit, our Reality our Guide, who protects, and nourishes and keeps the body of Christ until He returns. The Gift OF the Spirit is different from gifts FROM the Spirit, some of these gifts were temporary and some permanent. All gifts have a special purpose within the body of Christ. Study carefully the following passages, I Corinthians 12:1-12; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-14. Today, we have the written word, and while some gifts do not seem to be with us today, others definitely are, but ALL as the Spirit wills and purposes. We also have the Spirit’s help in guiding, protecting, and opening doors for the spread of the Good News.  
   Other things that the Spirit still does today…(1) Provides spiritual judgment (1 Corinthians 2:14-15), (2) Works in salvation, ( 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Corinthians 12:13), (3) Fruits of the Spirit in the Christian’s life, (Galatians 5:22-24), (4) He strengthens the Christian’s heart (spirit), (Ephesians 3:16-17),  (5) He unifies the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:3-6), (6) He helps in worship, (Ephesians 5:18-21), by encouraging worship in song, thanksgiving, submission, and reverence, and prayer (Ephesians 6:18), (7) He brings joy, (I Thessalonians 1:6), (8) He sanctifies the Christian throughout life, (Romans 15:15-16; II Thessalonians 2:13), (9) He is evidence of salvation to the Christian, (I John 3:24). 
   If these are not enough to make the Christian rejoice, then consider that the Spirit, gives life, satisfies spiritual thirst, enables service in a new and deeper way, sets us free from the law of sin and death, makes us God’s children, helps us pray, makes us God’s temple, and fills our lives completely, and …. just as God raised His Son, by the power of the Spirit….he will one day raise us (Romans 8:9-11; I John 3:1). Physical death is only the door to an eternal resurrection. Praise God!

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