The Holy Spirit is mentioned in the first four Gospels’ introductory chapters. The Holy Spirit is the one who proclaims the birth of Jesus Christ, foretells the life of John the Baptist, the first of many followers of Jesus, and affirms Jesus’ deity during His baptism. We read about the Holy Spirit’s empowerment and direction of the Early Church throughout the New Testament. What role does the Holy Spirit have in Christians’ day-to-day lives then?
Jesus introduced the Spirit
Jesus makes several references to the Holy Spirit during His career. He makes it plain that we can receive the Spirit in response to prayer (Luke 11:13), that it is necessary for us to enter God’s Kingdom (John 3:5), that it is available to assist us (Matthew 10:20; 28:19), and that it brings life (John 6:63). Jesus gives an explanation of why it is necessary for Him to go and “make room” for the coming of the Holy Spirit just before He is crucified. The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will remind you of all I have said to you and teach you everything. (John 14:26)
During His earthly ministry, Jesus, the Son of Man, was limited to being in one location at a time. However, the Holy Spirit—our promised Comforter and Helper—was able to be in multiple places at once. He made it possible for the apostles to share the gospel as He filled each one of them. For the same reason as well as many more, modern Christians require the Holy Spirit.
What the Spirit does
While God and Jesus Christ are in heaven, the Holy Spirit is with Christians on earth to help them in their daily lives and spiritual development. In essence, the Spirit continues the work that Jesus started. In Christian lives, the Spirit brings consolation, power, and (spiritual) direction (Galatians 5:22–23). Christians, especially when it comes to questions of religion, can rely on the assistance of the Holy Spirit in all of life’s decisions. As Psalm 119:105 describes, Christians need Him to lead them through difficulties and to be that torch to their feet and a light to their way.
The Holy Spirit appears more than fifty times in the Book of Acts. The most significant account in Acts is how the apostles were filled with the Spirit (Acts 2) at Pentecost and how He changed their initial terror into bravery following Jesus’ crucifixion. However, it soon becomes apparent how crucial He is to the church’s growth.
Spirit in the Early Church
Acts 4 records that Peter was given guidance by the Spirit to address the Sanhedrin Council, while Acts 7 records that Stephen was given courage during a period of intense worry. Acts 8 tells the story of Philip being led to faith by the Spirit to speak to the Ethiopian. Following the Spirit’s guidance, Peter brought Cornelius’ family to believe in Jesus Christ.
The apostles were sometimes instructed by the Spirit to go (Paul and Barnabas were told to go to Cyprus in Acts 13), and other times the apostles were ordered NOT to go (Paul and Timothy were specifically forbidden from speaking in Asia and Bithynia in Acts 16). We are not informed why this occurred. The Spirit gave the apostles various glimpses of what lay ahead. He readied Paul for trials in Acts 20, and on another time, the Holy Spirit told Paul he would be arrested through a prophet (Agabus) (Acts 21).
How can the Spirit help?
It is evident that the apostles and the Holy Spirit discussed choices pertaining to the spread of the gospel. They encountered “open doors”—individuals or gatherings of people who were prepared to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior—as the Spirit led them. Additionally, the Spirit pointed us locations where the apostles would have been in danger or where there were no such “open doors.” This is not to suggest that Christians will always be led by the Spirit to avoid challenging circumstances.
But in the event that Christians face difficulties, God promises in Hebrews 13:5 that the Spirit will never leave them. Christians are able to ask the Spirit for direction through prayer. Asking God to disclose in Scripture, through the Spirit, the course of action people should follow is one example of such instruction. Or to offer guidance if they are unsure of how to interpret a certain circumstance (James 1:5).
How does it work?
The first step in receiving guidance from the Spirit is to pray to God, for example, before beginning your daily Bible reading. Ask the Spirit to help you notice verses that could be relevant right now or that you might need in the (near) future. If the Spirit reveals other Scriptures in that same Bible area a year later, don’t be shocked!
Occasionally, the Spirit leads the way and prompts someone to communicate with you. Maybe the preacher at your church, who always seemed to know just what you needed to hear in his speech. The Spirit spoke to a number of the apostles. However, the most significant source of “spiritual information” continues to be God’s Word. Hundreds of years before, the Bible writers received these verses from the Spirit, which Jesus mentioned during His ministry. It is crucial to keep in mind that the counsel you receive from the Spirit must always be consistent with what the Bible says, regardless of how it comes to you. Information is not from the Spirit if it conflicts with what the Bible states.
How important is the Holy Spirit?
The instant a Christian accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are given access to the Holy Spirit. He gives Christians a link to the Spirit-filled God. From then on, one can call upon the Spirit for guidance in making decisions, for spiritual development, for inner strength and serenity, and to show the way to others who may require assistance. Or, to others who could benefit from hearing the gospel! Indeed, if Christians pay attention to the Spirit, God’s will will be accomplished. The Spirit is endowed by God with knowledge that is not available to humans. The Holy Spirit is a good companion for Christians!
