The Doings of the Holy Spirit (Part 6)

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My testimony is closely tied to a sermon preached about the stoning of Stephen. Rembrandt’s Stoning of Saint Stephen cuts me to the bone. The face right above Stephen could very well be Rembrandt’s first self-portrait. Click image to enlarge.

The post includes a little detail regarding the current working of the Holy Spirit; what He does. This list is not exhaustive but indicative and continues from where the previous posts left off.

Guiding

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom 8:14)

A parent lovingly guides a child, it’s a characteristic of sonship, and as God’s children we are led by the Spirit. Jesus promised the disciples, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth….” (Jn 16:13)

Assuring

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God….” (Rom 8:16)

“How do I know that I know that I’m saved?” Objectively the answer includes: A growing love for God (Lk 10:27 – 28), genuine repentance from sin (1 Jn 1:8 – 10) and consistently living in obedience to God’s Word (1 Jn 2:3 – 5). It is however the blessed assurance of the Holy Spirit’s testimony within our lives which lends eternal authority to our external profession.

Praying

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom 8:26)

Our ability to appropriately pray to God is blocked by our “infirmities”. To this end the Holy Spirit “helps” us, meaning that He “puts His hand to the work in cooperation with us.” (Parry 1912:120)

Want to hear the verse in context? Romans 8 What is this about?

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The Doings of the Holy Spirit (Part 5)

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St Stephen, painting by Giacomo Cavedone (1577 – 1660). Saint Stephen’s name is derived from the Greek Stephanos, meaning “crown”, which translated into Aramaic as Kelil. Traditionally, Stephen is invested with a crown of martyrdom for Christianity; he is often depicted in art with three stones and the martyrs’ palm. In Eastern Christian iconography, he is shown as a young beardless man with a tonsure, wearing a deacon’s vestments, and often holding a miniature church building or a censer. Rembrandt depicted his martyrdom in his work The Stoning of Saint Stephen. Relevant to this article is Acts 6:5 which describes Stephen as, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost…” Click image to enlarge.

The next few posts include a little detail regarding the current working of the Holy Spirit; what He does. This list is not exhaustive but indicative.

Sealing

“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Cor 1:22)

At salvation the Holy Spirit seals believers (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; Eph 4:30) conveying the ideas of ownership, authority, responsibility and security.

The word itself (σφραγισαμενος) means, “to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest:–(set a, set to) seal up, stop.” (Strong 1890:910)

Gifting

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Cor 12:4)

Ryrie (1986:423) defines “a spiritual gift [as] a God-given ability for service.” This rather succinct definition highlights a few important characteristics of Godly giftedness: It is divinely bestowed rather than humanly acquired, it is intended for the service and good of the body and it is given freely and purposefully.

Teaching

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth….” (Jn 16:13a)

The present teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit in no way mitigates the need for gifted teachers to expound the meaning of Scripture. Rather than referring to a mechanical process it conveys the idea of Him authenticating truth taught.

Want to hear the verse in context? 1 Corinthians 12 What is this about?

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What is God up to? (Part 3)

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Is God pulling strings or is He a passive observer? Click image to enlarge.

Before rushing into the field to reap the harvest (Jn 4:35) it’d be prudent for us to first contemplate the role that God Himself wishes to play in this work; if only to ensure that our wills are aligned to His.

Matthew 16:18 – 19 gives us valuable insight into God’s part in this process. After a run in with the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt 16:1 – 4) Jesus asks of His disciples, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Mt 16:15). Peter responds in faith and acknowledges Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16:16). While commending Peter’s response Jesus states the following, “I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [emphasis added] (Mt 16:18 – 19)

Firstly, God takes responsibility for building the church. Jesus says, “I will build…” [emphasis added] As we look back through history it is abundantly evident that God’s hand has always guided His people; Israel in the Old Testament (Deut 3:24; 26:8) and the Church in the New (Jn 16:13).

Secondly, the church is God’s possession. Jesus says, “I will build my church…” [emphasis added] You can’t visit Israel without being struck by the proliferation of church buildings. There’s one on every street corner and they all belong to someone, either to the Roman Catholic Church or to the Greek Orthodox Church or to this or to that. God is clear that the church belongs to no man, it is His alone (Acts 20:28; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 5:25b – 27)!

Thirdly, God will preserve the church. Jesus says, “…and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [emphasis added] It’s a no brainer really. God, who upholds all things by the power of His Word (Heb 1:3), will preserve that which He cherishes; that which He loves. (Woolley 1999)

So there you have it. God takes responsibility for the building, possession and preservation of the church.

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That of course leaves the question, “What should you and I be up to?”