What Does the Holy Spirit Do Today?
Introduction: The Holy Spirit is a member, if you will, of the Godhead (Acts 5: 3,4, 17:29, 2 Cor. 13: 14). The Holy Spirit has always been active. It was he who "moved upon the face of the waters" during the original creation (Gen. 1:2). The Spirit was involved in creating man – "let us make man in our image…" (Gen. 1:26). The Holy Spirit is always associated with order – not confusion (Gen. 1:2). During the age of miracles, the Holy Spirit imparted miraculous gifts (I Cor. 12:8-11). However, Paul taught, in the setting of exercising these gifts, "for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…" (I Cor. 14:33). What does the Holy Spirit do today? To establish the work of the Spirit and how he performs this work, consider the following:
I. Many spiritual actions are ascribed to the Spirit.
A. The Holy Spirit is involved in the new birth.
a. Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit…" (Jn. 3:5).
B. The Spirit sanctifies (I Pet. 1:2).
C. The Spirit convicts (Jn. 16:8, ASV)
D. The Spirit comforts (Acts 9:31)
E. Teaches (I Cor. 2:13)
F. Saves (Tit. 3:5)
G. Purifies (I Pet. 1:22)
H. The Spirit also exerts power (Rom. 15:13).
II. The same actions are said to be realized as a result of the word of God.
A. We are born again by the word (I Pet. 1:23)
B. Sanctified by the word (Jn. 17: 17)
C. Convicted by the word (Tit. 1:9)
D. The word of God comforts (I Thes. 4:18)
E. Teaches (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)
F. Saves (Jas. 1:21)
G. Purifies (I Pet. 1:22)
H. The word of God also exerts power (Rom. 1:16)
III. When the same action is ascribed to an instrument and person, it is axiomatic that the person achieves the action through the specific instrument.
A. Hence, the Holy Spirit (the "person" or being) works through the word. Any doctrine that presents the Holy Spirit in the mentioned matters working outside of the word and eliminating the need of the word is patently false.
a. In the recorded instances of salvation, the word was preached (Acts 2: 14-47 ff.). To resist the word is tantamount to resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7: 51-53).
Conclusion: Beloved, the truth of the matter is, every case of salvation today is commenced, continued, and shall be consummated by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, however, does not work irresistibly, mysteriously, and directly. He works through the word of God, the seed of the kingdom (Lk. 8:11). In addition, the Holy Spirit has an active role in the prayer of the saved, along with Jesus, the Mediator (Rom. 8: 26, cp. I Tim. 2: 5).