What Is the Use of the Holy Spirit to Us Today?

I recently received the following question via The Question Box on our congregation’s web page.

In ACTS 2:38-39, we read: “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Sprit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’”

My question is : What is the use of the Holy Spirit in our Generation?

Over the centuries there has been much confusion about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and of the individual child of God. Many books have been written about the Spirit, many of which are of little value since they have the words and theories of men more than the words of God.

Rather than write a new essay to answer this question, I drew on a posting on this site from January 5, 2010: Forty-one Ministries of the Holy Spirit in the Believer. It comes from Given O Blakely, a minister for the Christian Church and Churches of Christ for many years. I only list the 41 ministries below with the Scriptures as he gave them. Brother Given, in his article, also gives some of the background as to why he collected this list of ministries. You can read his entire article here.

What I do have here is his list of Scriptures about the present work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s children, to all of whom He has given of His Spirit (see Galatians 4:6).

1. A PERSONAL COGNITION OF THE LOVE OF GOD – “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts BY THE HOLY GHOST which is given unto us.”  (Rom 5:5)

2. FREEDOM FROM THE ENSLAVING LAW OF SIN AND DEATH – “For THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT of life in Christ Jesus hath made 

me free from the law of sin and death.”  (Rom 8:2)

3. NOT DWELLING IN THE CONDEMNING ENVIRONS OF THE FLESH – “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELL IN YOU. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”  (Rom 8:9)

4. THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE BODY FOR GOD’S GLORY – “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies BY HIS SPIRIT that dwelleth in you.”  (Rom 8:11)

5. PUTTING TO DEATH SINFUL EXPRESSIONS – “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye THROUGH THE SPIRIT do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”  (Rom 8:13)

6. BEING LED IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – “For as many as are led BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, they are the sons of God.”  (Rom 8:14)

7. THE AGGREGATE CHURCH BEING A DWELLING PLACE FOR GOD – “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that THE SPIRIT OF GOD dwelleth in you?”  (1 Cor 3:16)

8. A PERSONAL AWARENESS OF BEING GOD’S CHILD – “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”  (Rom 8:15) “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”  (Gal 4:6)

9. HAVING A VERY REAL TASTE OF THE GLORY TO COME – “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”  (Rom 8:23)

10. EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE IN DEALING WITH WEAKNESSES –  “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. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because HE MAKETH INTERCESSION for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom 8:26-27)

11. THE TESTIMONY OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE – “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness IN THE HOLY GHOST,”  (Rom 9:1)

12. THE POSSESSION OF RIGHTEOUS, PEACE, AND JOY – “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy IN THE HOLY GHOST.”  (Rom 14:17)

13. ABOUNDING IN HOPE – “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST.”  (Rom 15:13)

14. THE SANCTIFICATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OFFERED TO GOD – “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified BY THE HOLY GHOST.”  (Rom 15:16)

15. BEING ABLE TO LOVE PROPERLY – “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the LOVE OF THE SPIRIT, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.”  (Rom 15:30)

16. KNOWING WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST – “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but THE SPIRIT OF GOD. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; THAT WE MIGHT KNOW the things that are freely given to us of God.”  (1 Cor 2:11-12)

17. WASHING, JUSTIFICATION, AND SANCTIFICATION – “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” (1 Cor 6:11)

18. INSIGHTFULLY AND THANKFULLY AFFIRMING THAT JESUS IS LORD – “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but BY THE HOLY GHOST.”  (1 Cor 12:3)

19. BEING PUT INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST – “For BY ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”  (1 Cor 12:13)

20. HAVING A DOWN PAYMENT OF WHAT WE WILL INHERIT – “Who hath also sealed us, and given THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT in our hearts.”  (2 Cor 1:22) “Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT.”  (2 Cor 5:5)

21. BECOMING A PERSONAL LETTER FROM CHRIST – “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.”  (2 Cor 3:3)

22. BEING PROGRESSIVELY CHANGED INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST – “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD.”  (2 Cor 3:18)

23. BEGINNING NEWNESS OF LIFE – “Are ye so foolish? having begun IN THE SPIRIT, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”  (Gal 3:3)

24. PATIENTLY WAITING FOR PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS – For we THROUGH THE SPIRIT wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”  (Gal 5:5)

25. BEING ABLE TO RESIST THE ENCROACHMENTS OF LUST – “This I say then, Walk IN THE SPIRIT, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  (Gal 5:16)

26. BEING ABLE TO SPEAK PROFITABLY TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD – “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled WITH THE SPIRIT; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”  (Eph 5:18-19)

27. A STRONG COMPETITIVE INFLUENCE AGAINST THE CALL OF THE FLESH – “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and THE SPIRIT against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”  (Gal 5:17)

28. THE PRODUCTION OF HOLY QUALITIES WITHIN – “But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”  (Gal 5:25) “For the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.”  (Eph 5:9)

29. REAPING ETERNAL LIFE – “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall OF THE SPIRIT reap life everlasting.”  (Gal 6:8)

30. HAVING ACCESS TO THE FATHER – “For through him we both have access BY ONE SPIRIT unto the Father.”  (Eph 2:18)

31. BEING BUILT TOGETHER FOR GOD’S DWELLING PLACE – “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God THROUGH THE SPIRIT.”  (Eph 2:22)

32. UNITY WITH THOSE IN CHRIST – “Endeavoring to keep the unity OF THE SPIRIT in the bond of peace.”  (Eph 4:3)

33. BEING SEALED, OR MARKED, AS ONE OF GOD’S OWN – “And grieve not THE SPIRIT OF GOD, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”  (Eph 4:30)

34. EFFECTIVE PRAYING – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication IN THE SPIRIT, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”  (Eph 6:18) “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying IN THE HOLY GHOST”  (Jude 1:20)

35. ACCORD WITH THE SPIRIT – “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT, if any bowels and mercies,”  (Phil 2:1)

36. MAINTAINING WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US – “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep BY THE HOLY GHOST which dwelleth in us.”  (2 Tim 1:14)

37. THE POSSESSING OF STRENGTHENING JOY – “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with JOY OF THE HOLY GHOST.”  (1 Thess 1:6)

38. THE SANCTIFICATION THAT CARRIES OUT AND VALIDATES DIVINE CHOICE – “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT and belief of the truth:”  (2 Thess 2:13)

39. INITIAL AND CONTINUED RENEWAL – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST.”  (Titus 3:5)

40. OBEDIENCE AND THE SANCTIFYING SPRINKLING OF CHRIST’S BLOOD – “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”  (1 Pet 1:2)

41. OBEYING THE TRUTH – “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:”  (1 Pet 1:22)

Now that the Comforter has come, all of these marvelous ministries are available to the saints of God. Oh, they do not take place automatically, or in spite of unacceptable thought and conduct. However, you are sure to experience them if you will take these words seriously: “Grieve not the Spirit of God,” and “Quench not the Spirit” (Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19).

The Spirit gives us the power to live a godly life in Christ. He helps us to pray, to love, and to resist and put off evil while putting on righteousness. He identifies us as children of God. He makes intercession for us when we pray but do not know what to say. In the Holy Spirit, we find righteousness, joy, and peace that passes all understanding. It is in the Holy Spirit that we have fellowship with God – and with one another. If we do not have the Spirit of Christ we do not belong to Christ.

I hope that these Scriptures will be of some assistance to you as you continue to consider the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian today. May God bless you in your walk with Him – a walk that is also called “walking by the Spirit.”