The Work of the Holy Spirit Today

He may abide with you forever – the Spirit.

Sealing

The sealing with the Spirit shows that the believer is God’s child for eternity.
The Spirit is the seal, and all who have the Spirit are sealed (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).
This ministry represents the Godward aspects of salvation — authority, ownership, and a final transaction.

Baptizing

First Corinthians 12:13 explains this ministry:
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body … and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

All believers are baptized with the Spirit, whether they know it or understand it.
The Spirit’s baptism places the believer in union with Christ and makes him a member of the “one body” of Christ.

No other work of God for the believer seems to accomplish so much as the baptism of the Spirit.
It brings the believer into the sphere of all heavenly and eternal possessions provided in grace.
“In Christ” the believer partakes of all that Christ is, has done, and will ever do — His honors, glories, and privileges.

The Age of Grace

This Church age is characterized by the presence of the risen and glorified Savior in heaven, and the indwelling Holy Spirit in all believers on earth.

His Work for All Believers

The Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, seals, and baptizes every sinner who receives Christ as personal Savior.

• Regenerating:
  Before receiving Christ, the Spirit melts the stony heart, opens the eyes, dispels darkness, destroys enmity against God, subdues rebellious will, and works faith in the heart.
  By this, believers become “children of God,” “partakers of the divine nature,” and “joint heirs with Christ” (John 1:12; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 8:17).
  Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This new birth is solely the Spirit’s work.
  “It is the Spirit who gives life” (John 6:63).
• Indwelling:
  Jesus promised, “The Father … will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit” (John 14:16).
• Sealing:
  As mentioned, believers are sealed for eternity.
• Baptizing:
  All believers are baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ.

Note: Some teach that baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second work accompanied by speaking in tongues and other manifestations, but Scripture shows all believers are baptized by the Spirit at salvation.

His Work of Spirit-Filling

While all believers are regenerated, indwelt, sealed, and baptized at salvation (and these cannot be lost or repeated), Spirit-filling happens after salvation and can be lost and regained repeatedly.

Ephesians 5:18 exhorts:
“Do not be drunk with wine … but be filled with the Spirit.”

Spirit-filling means Spirit-control. It is not getting more of the Spirit, but the Spirit getting more of us. It is gradual and progressive until every part of our life comes under His control and the character of Christ is manifested in us.

Conditions for Spirit-Filling

1. Not grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) — Sin grieves the Spirit. We should say “No” to sin and confess immediately if we sin.
2. Not quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) — Saying “No” to God grieves and quenches the Spirit. Yieldedness is key.
3. Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) — Rely on the Spirit to do His work.

More Works of the Spirit

• Developing Christlike Character:
  The Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
  This defines the Christian life.
• Manifesting Christian Service:
  Jesus said, “He who believes in Me … out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38-39).
  Spiritual gifts are manifestations of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3-13).
  Spirit-filled believers have a passion for soul-winning (Acts 2:41; 5:14; 6:7).
• Producing Unity:
  Unity is a hallmark of the Spirit-filled life (Acts 1:14; 2:46).
  Christians should “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
• Producing Power:
  The believer’s only source of spiritual power is the Spirit (Micah 3:8; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16).
• Witnessing With Our Spirit:
  The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).
• Teaching:
  The Spirit teaches us and brings Jesus’ words to remembrance (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13).
• Interceding:
  The Spirit helps in our weaknesses and intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
• Leading:
  The Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13; Romans 8:14).
  “It is not in man to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
• Praising, Worshiping, Giving Thanks:
  Spirit-filled life is marked by praise, worship, and thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:18-20).
• Submitting:
  “Submitting to one another in the fear of God” reflects Spirit-led fellowship and testimony (Ephesians 5:18, 21).

The work of the Holy Spirit began at Pentecost and continues until the Rapture when the Lord will take the Church to Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Until then, let us endeavor to “live in the Spirit” and “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
— Maurice Bassali