The Holy Spirit’s Role In Your Ministry

There are five significant things that Jesus told his followers about the role of the Holy Spirit within the life and ministry of each believer in the New Testament Church.

• He “will teach you all things” —John 14:26
• He “will remind you of everything I have said to you”  —John 14:26
• He “will testify about me” —John 15:26
• He “will guide you into all truth” —John 16:13
• He “will tell you what is yet to come” —John 16:13

Examples from the Book of Acts

Many of us have little problem believing that God speaks to us through the Bible and  supernatural means.  However, as we explore our unique design for ministry we are challenged to look at what God is saying to each of us through our unique life experiences.  For instance, from the book of Acts we find the following examples:

1. The Holy Spirit directs us into ministry.

“The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it’ . . .  Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” — Acts 8:29, 34

2. The Holy Spirit shows us new things God is doing.

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning… So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” — Acts 11:15-17

3. The Holy Spirit tells us about God’s plan of ministry.

“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.  When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. . .  During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’  After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” — Acts 16:6-10

We are not alone in this pursuit.  The Holy Spirit will lead us and equip us in all of our ministry endeavors.