Notes compiled by Marty Zide and Steve McAtee
The Word of God speaks of several ministries that the Holy Spirit has done and continues to do up to the present.
His Work in Creation
All of the members of the Godhead are said to be involved in the creation of the universe. As the Scriptures testify, the Holy Spirit had a part in the initial creation of all things.
Gen 1:2 - The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
Ps 33:6 - By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
Job 33:4 - The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Gen 1:26 - Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
Gen 3:22 - Then the LORD God said, Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.
His Ministry Concerning the Scriptures
The Holy Spirit enabled certain individuals to receive special revelation and to convey it orally or to record it verbally without error as the very Word of God. This work upon these people is called Divine inspiration. Today He helps believers understand the Scriptures, which is called illumination. Revelation is that process whereby the Holy Spirit spoke to the over 40 human writers of the Bible the message He wanted them to transmit. This process flowed from God to man.
Inspiration is the process whereby the Holy Spirit guided the very pen of the writers so that the message would be accurately written. This process flowed from man to paper.
Illumination is the process whereby the Holy Spirit takes the written Word when it is preached or read and enlightens (or gives understanding to) the minds and hearts of those who hear it. This process flows from the paper to the heart.
2 Tim 3:16-17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Pet 1:20 - But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Sam 23:1-2 - Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse declares, The man who was raised on high declares, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel, The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.
Acts 1:16 - Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Word of God. He came upon imperfect individuals yet produced a perfect product. The reason why He was able to do this is because He is God. We see the same thing in the case of the incarnation of the Messiah. He took a virgin who was not sinless, yet produced a sinless Savior.
His Ministry Concerning the Savior
The Holy Spirit had a major role in the entire process of the incarnation. In fact from His bodily conception to His final ascension, the Holy Spirit was leading in the life of the Lord Jesus.
Some examples of the Holy Spirit’s work in the Son:
Begotten by the Holy Spirit
Anointed by the Holy Spirit
Led by the Holy Spirit
Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Filled (controlled)by the Holy Spirit
Made atonement by the power of the Holy Spirit
Resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit
Luke 1:31,34-35 - And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? The angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
Matt 1:18 - Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
Matt 3:16 - After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him.
Matt 4:1 - Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matt 12:28 - But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Luke 4:1 - Jesus, full (filled) of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness.
Heb 9:14 - how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Rom 8:11 - But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
One obvious application of these verses is that just as the Holy Spirit had such a vital role in the earthly life of the Lord Jesus, we should desire that the Holy Spirit has an effective ministry in our lives as well.
Coming Next – His Pre-salvational Ministry to Unsaved People