The Role of the Holy Spirit

1. Read: John 14:25, 26 “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

2. About the Text:

1) Jesus is speaking to his disciples regarding his departure.

2) He assures them that the Father will send the Holy Ghost/Spirit in Jesus’ name.

3) Verse 26 mentions the three persons of the Godhead–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. How can we learn about the Holy Spirit?

1) By reading the revealed will of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-13).

2) That is to say, the Bible – 2 Peter 1:21 – “spoke moved by the Holy Spirit.”

4. Who the Holy Spirit is NOT.

1) “WHO is the Holy Spirit?” is the correct question.

2) The Holy Spirit is not some mystical force (like Star Wars).

3) The Holy Spirit is not some personal experience better felt than told.

4) The Holy Spirit is not your feelings.

5. Who the Holy Spirit IS.

1) The Holy Spirit is a person with personal characteristics.

2) The Holy Spirit is referred to in the New Testament with masculine gender pronouns.

3) The Holy Spirit is not an “IT.”

4) The Holy Spirit is Divine.

6. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Responsible for shaping the earth.

1) Genesis 1:2 “The Spirit of God moved (acted) upon the face of the deep.”

2) Psalm 104:30 – “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth”

2. Creating the Tabernacle

1) Exodus 31:3; 35:21 – filled with the Spirit of God to accomplish building tasks.

3. Responsible in creating man.

1) Job 33:4 – “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”

4. Luke 1:35 – creation of Jesus physical form – “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

5. We see several things regarding creation.

1) The role of the Father in creation is like an architect. He came up with the blueprints.

2) The role of the Son/Second Person of the Godhead is like a foreman. He tells what needs to be done.

3) The role of the Holy Spirit is like the craftsman. He takes the materials in hand and shapes them to the proper form.

1. He is responsible for disseminating the message of God. Numbers 11:25-30 “And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!”

2. Hebrews 3:7 — when quoting the Old Testament, we are quoting the words of the Holy Ghost. “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice…”

3. Acts 21:11 – “Thus says the Holy Spirit…”

4. 2 Peter 1:21 — prophecy came through the work of the Holy Spirit. “Holy men of God spake…”

5. Again we see His work distinguished from the Father’s work.

1) The Father is responsible for the creation of the message–the ideas.

2) The Son is responsible for the formation of the message–the speech writer.

3) The Holy Spirit is responsible for the delivery of the message–the speech deliverer.

1. Isaiah 59:21 — His words will never depart – “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”

2. He uses those words to invite the sinner to be saved. Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

3. We obey the truth through the Spirit – by the message of the Spirit. 1 Peter 1:22 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.”

4. When we obey the teaching of the Spirit we are “born” of the Spirit — John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

5. When we participate in the new birth, we receive the justification of the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:11 – “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

6. As a result, God’s house is built. Ephesians 4:12 says that the Spirits work is for “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

7. Again we see His work distinguished from the Father’s and the Sons.

1) The Father was responsible for the plan. Ephesians 3:9-11 “eternal purpose.” Architect of the church.

2) The Son was responsible for the execution of that plan. Foreman of the church. He said, “I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18.

3) The Holy Spirit is responsible for the application of that plan to man. Craftsman of the church.

1. The Holy Spirit has a unique role . . .

1) In the Physical Creation

2) In the Creation of the Bible

3) In Spiritual Creation

2. Invitation