Levels of Spirit Ministry

.... The Holy Spirit’s ministry actually takes place on two different levels. First is His ministry directly to us, to teach us, guide us and transform us into Jesus' image; and second is His ministry through us, that is directed toward others -- and it is possible to have the first without yet having the second. There is a clear and intentional graduation between them, and in this posting we’ll discuss both levels.

.

.... Let’s start by discussing His personal ministry, which began on the day that Jesus arose:

.... ‘And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit".’

(John 20:22)

.... After Jesus breathed on the apostles in this way, they were sealed with the Holy Spirit. Among other things, at this level of ministry, they were now able to receive commandments in the Spirit (Acts 1:2). Already He was guiding them, but more would be following soon. In fact, let’s look at that passage in its context and take a hint from the time frames involved:

.

.... ". . . until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’."

(Acts 1:2-5)

.... For forty days, the Holy Spirit ministered to the apostles in a personal sense, but in the same passage another level of His ministry was foretold: that they would soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit as well, which was, in fact, another week away. So in this passage, we are clearly talking about two different levels of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. Jesus went on to explain this second level and its purpose:

.... "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

(Acts 1:8)

.... In this second level of ministry, the Holy Spirit ministers through us to others for the purpose of testifying about Jesus. This additional level of ministry includes spiritual gifts, different types of ministries, and especially evangelism, as a special empowerment from on high is granted for these purposes. In evangelistic terms, the apostles were to wait until the received this empowerment, and were limited to ministering among themselves until they did:

.... "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

(Luke 24:49)

.... In our next two modules, we’ll discuss the manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s power in various forms, including spiritual gifts and ministries. But leaving those aside for the moment, let’s concentrate on the essence of the baptism itself in this module.

To proceed to the next lesson, click here

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12