Page 35 - Pneumatology - Student Textbook

Study Section 7: The Holy Spirit’s Work in the World Today

7.1 Connect

When you read the Newspapers or listen to the News, it seems like the Devil is winning the
battle in the world. Evil is increasing throughout the world. The wickedness of man is displayed
almost daily in shootings or mass executions. Famines, war, hatred, and hardships fill the news.
Where is the Holy Spirit? Why is God allowing all this wickedness to prevail?

The Holy Spirit is very active in the world today restraining sin. If it weren’t for His work, things
would be 100 times worse than what we are seeing today. The Holy Spirit is at work RESCURING people
from wickedness through bringing salvation to millions. He is at work. Let’s better understand what He is
doing today to resist the Devil…

7.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to describe six activities that the Holy Spirit is doing in the world
today to restrain evil.

2. The student should be able to prove that the Holy Spirit will never leave the believer.

3. The student should be able to describe how the Holy Spirit guides believers in the midst of the evil
around them.

4. The student should be able to describe how the Holy Spirit is our Paraclete.

7.3 The Holy Spirit’s Work in the World Today

The Bible is quite clear that the Holy Spirit is active in our world. The book of Acts, which
sometimes goes by the longer title of “The Acts of the Apostles,” could just as accurately be
called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles.” After the apostolic age, there have
been some changes—the Spirit does not inspire further Scripture, for example—but He
continues to do His work in the world.

1. The Holy Spirit does many things in the lives of believers. He is the believers’ Helper (John 14:26). He
indwells believers and seals them until the day of redemption—this indicates that the Holy Spirit’s presence
in the believer is irreversible. He guards and guarantees the salvation of the ones He indwells (Ephesians
1:13; 4:30). The Holy Spirit assists believers in prayer (Jude 1:20) and “intercedes for God’s people in
accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26–27).

2. The Holy Spirit regenerates and renews the believer (Titus 3:5). At the
moment of salvation, the Spirit baptizes the believer into the Body of Christ
(Romans 6:3). Believers receive the new birth by the power of the Spirit (John
3:5–8). The Spirit comforts believers with fellowship and joy as they go
through a hostile world (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Spirit,
in His mighty power, fills believers with “all joy and peace” as they trust the
Lord, causing believers to “overflow with hope” (Romans 15:13).

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