Why we need the Holy Spirit today? Questions & Answers

1) Who is the Holy Spirit?

This is a question about identity. When you ask about identity, you are touching on function, position, and authority as well. He is the third person of the Godhead (John 15:26); that is, third member of the trinity, along with the father and the son. (John 15:26) He was at work before and throughout creation. (Genesis 1:12) He was at work in the creation of mankind. (Genesis 2:26) He was and is still at work in God’s redemptive agenda. (John 16:7-12) The simple answer is: He is God (Genesis 2:26).

2) Has he always been around, even in the Old Testament?

He was at work in creation. He was at work in the life of many old testament characters, including prophets, priest, and kings.

 3) What is his role?

The Holy Spirit has many roles in the world, the church and the life of individual believers in Christ.

Here are a few examples:

• brings conviction – convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment (John 16:7-12)
• empowers – baptises and empowers the church for witness and service (Acts 1:8)
• helps (John 16:7)
• brings comfort (John 14:16)
• guides, instructs and teaches (John 16:13).
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4) What did He do in the times of the early church?

He was promised (acts 1:8). He came – upon the early church – in power (acts 2). He gave birth to the church (Acts 2). He anointed the early church for ministry (Acts 2 e.g. Peter).

5) Is He still significant today?

With the utmost respect and due reverence, it could be said that he is the chief operating officer (coo) of the trinity vis-à-vis the church – he leads, guides, instructs, directs, reveals, corrects, comforts, inspires and manifests himself in and through grace gifts in the church and in our world.

6) Who needs the Holy Spirit?

Every believer in Christ Jesus needs the Holy Spirit. Without him the individual or the church will lack all the gifts and blessings that he imparts in a child of God.

  7) How does the holy spirit operate through a believer?            

He does the following amongst other things:

empowers for witness and service

• instructs, guides and directs
• reveals Christ and convicts sinners
• empowers for service (preaching).
• gives faith
• gives wisdom
• gives supernatural ability to discern
• reassures
• gives boldness
• gives power to live the Christian life.

8) What are the steps needed to be filled with the holy spirit?

pray (earnestly, believing) – for initial baptism – ask; seek; knock (Matthew 7:7)

• having been filled / baptised: (i) seek him every day, for continuous infilling
• thereafter, always listen carefully to his voice; obey him – always; depend on him – always; seek to honour him – always.
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