After Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven, a change was made in the operations of the Holy Spirit with and in Christian believers. Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would not only be with them but would also be in them. The sphere of the Holy Spirit’s activity expanded in the lives of believers in Christ.
The Holy Spirit’s work in salvation and the life of the believer.
Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit,” (John 3:5-6). Without the work of the Holy Spirit, the unconverted cannot know the things of the Spirit of God, (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The Holy Spirit is active in every aspect of the believer’s salvation, worship, practice, sanctification, character, nature, faith, training, and power for service, (Romans 8:7; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:8; John 15:4; John 14:17). New life that is purchased by Christ is imparted by the indwelling of the Spirit of God and without the Spirit of Christ they do not belong to Christ, (Romans 8:9). His presence facilitates a major change in believers when their body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit, (1 Corinthians 6:19). After salvation, believers receive power for service through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses,” (Acts 1:8).
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism in the Holy Spirit should not be confused with the baptism into the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, this is salvation and brings new life, (John 3:5-6). John the Baptist said Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, (Mark 1:8). Salvation is the baptism into the body of Christ, and then baptism into the Holy Spirit is available to each of those to give power for service, (Acts 1:8).
Holy Spirit confirms believer’s relationship
The Holy Spirit is active in confirming the believer’s salvation and right relationship with the Father.
Romans 8:16 NKJV The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
This action of the Holy Spirit enables and confirms a proper relationship with the Father, (Galatians 4:6). Another major area of the Holy Spirit’s work is sealing the believer. The sealing of the believer places God’s seal of ownership and protection on His saints. The presence of the Holy Spirit in believer’s lives is the earnest pledge that we belong to God, ( Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Timothy 2:19).
Pentecost marked this change that was in response to the Promise of the Father and the ascension of Christ back to heaven. Only after Jesus satisfied the just demands of the Father was the way prepared for the entrance of the Holy Spirit into the lives of believers.
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-4 NKJV When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Two changes occurred after Pentecost
When the Holy Spirit came upon them on the day of Pentecost, two major changes occurred as a result of His work in believers.
- First, the Holy Spirit entered into a new temple that is built on the foundation of Christ, (1 Peter 2:5, Ephesians 2:19-22).
1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19 we are told “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you.”
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in the body of the Church of God, the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ.
- Second, not only did the Holy Spirit come to dwell in the church as a corporate body, He also came to personally dwell in all believers.
In John 14:17 Jesus said, “The Spirit of truth dwells with you and shall be in you.” In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was a gift to specific individuals for a specific purpose. After Pentecost, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers is a personal guarantee and seal. After He takes up residence in us, the Holy Spirit takes up the function of being our Teacher, Guide, Revealer and Reminder of Truth, (John 14:26). Since He abides with us and within us, He is able to bring the comfort, direction, anointing, and help that every believer needs. Jesus said the Gift of the Holy Spirit is for every believer or regenerated child of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV84 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
What is the meaning and significance of Pentecost?
In the Old Testament the feast of Pentecost was fifty days after Passover. It was also called the Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10, 16; 2 Chronicles 8:13), the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16), and the Day of Firstfruits. The Feast of the Firstfruits was a type of Christ’s resurrection, (Leviticus 23:9-16). Jesus is the firstfruits of those who are resurrected from the dead, (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks was celebrated fifty days after Passover, (Leviticus 23:15, 16; Deuteronomy 16:9). It was a celebration of grain (barley) harvest, which lasted seven weeks. Numbers 28:26 calls Pentecost the “Day of Firstfruits” because it marked the beginning of the time in which people brought in offerings of firstfruits. It was celebrated on the day after the seventh Sabbath with rest from regular work and the calling of a sacred assembly, (Leviticus 23:16, 21; Numbers 28:26). It was a feast of joy and thanksgiving for the completion of the harvest season. Two large loaves made from fine flour from the new wheat baked with leaven were waved as an offering before the Lord by the anointed priests.
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on the 120 who were gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem.
This occurred fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb.
Acts 1:3 NIV After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Just before His ascension, Jesus told the apostles to “wait for the Promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4). The “Promise of the Father” is the “Holy Spirit,” (Acts 1:8). Since Jesus was seen for 40 days after His resurrection and Pentecost means 50, they waited 10 days for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit could not have descended at any other time but Pentecost.
The Feast of the Passover was fulfilled at Calvary. “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us,” (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Feast of Pentecost was fulfilled by the coming of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, believers were baptized with the Holy Spirit just as Jesus had said, (Acts 1:5; 2:4).
Acts 2:1-4 NKJV When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Several things happened when the Holy Spirit descended upon them.
When they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they all spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. This is one of the miracles of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Everyone spoke in a tongue or language that they had not learned and did not understand. Many people from other language groups heard them speaking in different languages “the wonderful works of God,” (Acts 2:6,8).
The baptism in the Holy Spirit was not unique to the 120 in the upper room who received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-16 — The Samaritans believed in Jesus. Although they had believed in Jesus and were baptized in water they had not received the Holy Spirit. Peter and John prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit, then laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44-48 — Simon Peter was sent by the Holy Spirit to minister to Cornelius’ household. As Peter was preaching Christ to them, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard him. In verse 46 they spoke in tongues and magnified God. In verse 47 Peter said they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 11:15 — Simon Peter was testifying in Jerusalem about what had happened with the Gentiles. He said, the Holy Spirit fell on them as on the 120 in the beginning, Acts 2:1-4.
Acts 19:1-6 – Paul came to Ephesus and found some disciples. He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed and they knew nothing about the Holy Spirit. After they were baptized in water, Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues.
The wording in these texts testifies of the same kind of event as what happened on the Day of Pentecost. They were baptized, filled, and received the Holy Spirit but the result was the same. The Gift of God, the Promise of the Spirit was theirs.
As a result of the Holy Spirit’s entrance into the lives of believers, all of the aspects of His ministry are available.
He works in the formation, instruction, and guidance of the church. He works in believer’s daily lives enabling them to walk in the Spirit, equipping them for service, inspiring worship, enlightening the Word, and bringing the fruit of the Spirit. He transforms believers into the image of Christ, (2 Corinthians 3:18) and strengthens their inner man so they may be filled with all the fullness of God, (Ephesians 3:16-19).
The Holy Spirit becomes the Guide and Helper of those He empowers, (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18; John 16:13). This enables the sons of God to walk in the paths of His choosing. As a result of His abiding presence, the believer’s life is marked by the fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22; Romans 14:17; 15:13; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:10; 2:24-25; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Ephesians 5:8-9; 2 Peter 1:5-7). He is the Giver and Guarantee of the gifts of the Spirit and is involved in the expansion and growth of the Church.
In every aspect and phase of His work, the Holy Spirit reveals His nature and character.
He reveals Himself as a Dove being easily grieved, tender and quiet. He comes like Fire, purging and removing evil, producing power, inspiring and sanctifying. He works like Wind or Breath giving life, preventing stagnation, producing freeness and sustaining life. He is at work like Rain, Water, or Rivers giving life wherever He is present, renewing, refreshing, inspiring growth, washing and making clean. He is like Oil of the anointing, inducing and aiding in motivation, calling, healing and giving joy. He convicts and convinces of sin by “reproving the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment,” (John 16:8) He is the Spirit of Adoption who enables us to cry Abba Father, (Romans 8:15). As the Spirit of Holiness, He sanctifies, (Galatians 5:22). We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise that assures and guarantees our inheritance in Christ, (Ephesians 1:13,14; Romans 8:23). By the Holy Spirit our mortal bodies shall be quickened at the resurrection, (Romans 8:11).
Jesus’ life and ministry was a testimony of the anointing, power, function and works of the Holy Spirit.
In His opening sermon, Jesus saidLuke 4:18 NIV “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.”
Being anointed with the Holy Spirit, Jesus went out and accomplished the work of His ministry. All of His ministry, works, and miracles was by the limitless power of the Spirit that was upon Him.
John 3:34 NIV For the One Whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
Jesus was anointed and empowered to do the work the Father had called Him to do through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus the Christ taught this abundant life to His disciples.
John 7:37-39 NIV On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
This Holy Spirit quickening makes alive, John 6:63. Believers must have the Spirit’s quickening to have this new life. In response to His teaching they waited in the upper room in Jerusalem for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Once the Holy Spirit comes upon the church they become a living organism.
Christ is the head of this united spiritual organism called the body of Christ, the church. The Holy Spirit gives form, function and cohesiveness to the church.
Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV And God placed all things under his feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills everything in every way.
1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Ephesians 1:13 NIV And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
As a result of the Holy Spirit’s presence, power, and anointing the church is enabled to do the work of Christ.
Acts 1:8 NIV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
