John 14:16-15, And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
In Matthew 1:20-21, the angel said to Joseph; …Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Then it is revealed (verses 22-23), Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. This announcement told Joseph and Mary, and all the world that the Almighty God was about to reveal Himself to us in visible form; that the world, for the first time would actually be able to see God and look upon Him and be close to Him and touch Him without being literally consumed and destroyed; literally God with us.
He did in fact come and live and walk among man as one of them and fulfilled the promise which God had first given to Adam, and later confirmed to Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and all of the prophets who followed him.
Just before the Lord Jesus offered Himself up on the Altar as an atonement for the sins of His people; When He was about to fulfilled the will of the heavenly Father and declared “it is finished,” He promised His disciples that He would not leave them alone, but would send the Comforter “…Even the Spirit of truth…” to be with them throughout their physical lives.
The work of the Holy Spirit in the world is manifold and powerful. He is the third person in the godhead and is co-equal with the Father and the Son. Like the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit has a particular office and is carrying it out in the world today and will until “He be taken out of the way.”
WHAT ARE THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? First of all, He was the agent in creation. Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Psalms 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. Also read Psalms 104:23-30.
Second, He is the Author of the Holy Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Peter 1:20-21, Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:16 Men [and] brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Third, He convicts the world concerning sin. See John 16:7-11. The word “reprove” means to prove one in the wrong and thus to shame him. The Holy Spirit conveniences or convicts or reproves the world, not of sin in general, but primarily of the rejection of Christ. John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me… John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Fourth, He convicts the world of righteousness. On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), through the mouth of the apostle Peter and the other eleven, the Holy Spirit reproved and convicted the Jews of their accusations against Christ; that He was a wicked man, a sinner himself, and a friend of publicans and sinners; that He was guilty of blasphemy and sedition, and was a friend with Satan, and that He Himself had a devil. Through the preaching of the word of God today, the Holy Spirit continues to reprove the world of righteousness. Paul said, 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23, But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; This all the space we have for today, we shall continue next issue. Please do your homework and read the passages that I have suggested. E-mail, johnpruitt@frontiernet.net
