Four Crucial Ministries of the Holy Spirit:
THE BAPTISM
“13) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
THE SEALING
“13) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14) who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
THE FILLING
“29) And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30) while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31) And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29-31
THE REGENERATING
“4) But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5) He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6) whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,” Titus 3:4-6
The above four ministries of the Holy Spirit are all crucial but separate and distinct from each other. They are often confused with each other. They are all precious and should be embraced by every believer. In this post, I want to briefly define each one of them.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: The moment a person places saving faith in Jesus Christ, they are born again and Baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. They become part of the family of God.
The Sealing of the Holy Spirit: The moment a person places saving faith in Jesus Christ, they are sealed by the Holy Spirit and He becomes the guarantee of our salvation. He is called the Holy Spirit of promise. He is like our engagement ring from Jesus of what is to come in eternity. He is the “earnest payment” of Jesus toward the future fulfillment of our eternal salvation.
The Filling of the Holy Spirit: The constantly new and fresh empowering of the Holy Spirit for victorious living, boldness, fruitful ministry and communion with God in worship. There is one baptism but many fillings of the Holy Spirit.
The Regenerating of the Holy Spirit: The active, ongoing and constant inner ministry of the Holy Spirit washing, cleansing, purifying and transforming the believer into a mature and godly disciple of Jesus Christ. This is often looked at as the sanctification process.
I am thankful and eternally grateful for the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. It grows deeper and more precious every day. He is activity turning me into a new man. He is the source of my anointing, power, worship, passion, zeal, love, joy, vision and communion with God. He is the umbilical cord to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Study these four passages. Add many more to them. Worship Jesus and embrace the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
THE BAPTISM
“13) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
THE SEALING
“13) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14) who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
THE FILLING
“29) And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30) while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31) And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29-31
THE REGENERATING
“4) But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5) He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6) whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,” Titus 3:4-6
The above four ministries of the Holy Spirit are all crucial but separate and distinct from each other. They are often confused with each other. They are all precious and should be embraced by every believer. In this post, I want to briefly define each one of them.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: The moment a person places saving faith in Jesus Christ, they are born again and Baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. They become part of the family of God.
The Sealing of the Holy Spirit: The moment a person places saving faith in Jesus Christ, they are sealed by the Holy Spirit and He becomes the guarantee of our salvation. He is called the Holy Spirit of promise. He is like our engagement ring from Jesus of what is to come in eternity. He is the “earnest payment” of Jesus toward the future fulfillment of our eternal salvation.
The Filling of the Holy Spirit: The constantly new and fresh empowering of the Holy Spirit for victorious living, boldness, fruitful ministry and communion with God in worship. There is one baptism but many fillings of the Holy Spirit.
The Regenerating of the Holy Spirit: The active, ongoing and constant inner ministry of the Holy Spirit washing, cleansing, purifying and transforming the believer into a mature and godly disciple of Jesus Christ. This is often looked at as the sanctification process.
I am thankful and eternally grateful for the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. It grows deeper and more precious every day. He is activity turning me into a new man. He is the source of my anointing, power, worship, passion, zeal, love, joy, vision and communion with God. He is the umbilical cord to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Study these four passages. Add many more to them. Worship Jesus and embrace the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
