The coming of the Holy Spirit is a pivotal event in the Bible that signifies the beginning of the Christian church. When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost, it empowered them to spread the gospel and establish the church. The giving of the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send a helper and advocate to His followers after His ascension to heaven.
What is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity along with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. While God the Father is the creator and Jesus is the savior, the Holy Spirit has an active role in the world as well. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God living in and acting through believers. The Holy Spirit has a multifaceted role, including convicting people of sin, testifying about Jesus, guiding believers into truth, empowering ministers, and distributing spiritual gifts.
The personhood and divinity of the Holy Spirit are clearly evident in the Bible. The Holy Spirit has intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), and will (1 Corinthians 12:11). The Holy Spirit is also directly involved in divine activities like creating (Genesis 1:2), inspiring Scripture (2 Peter 1:21), conceiving Jesus in Mary’s womb (Luke 1:35), and raising Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11).
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit multiple times before His death, preparing His followers for this important event. Some key verses include:
- John 14:16-17 – Jesus promised to send another Counselor to be with them forever – the Spirit of truth.
- John 14:26 – The Counselor would teach them all things and remind them of everything Jesus said.
- John 15:26 – Jesus said the Counselor would testify about Him.
- John 16:7 – It was for their benefit Jesus was going away, for the Counselor would not come unless He departed.
- John 16:13 – The Spirit would guide them into all truth and speak what He hears.
- Acts 1:4-5 – Jesus commanded the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 1:8 – They would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.
Jesus connected the coming of the Holy Spirit to the New Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah: “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33). The indwelling Holy Spirit would bring new life, power, and intimacy with God.
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit was given to the early church on the Day of Pentecost, the Greek name for the Festival of Weeks that took place 50 days after Passover. This feast celebrated the early harvest and the giving of the law at Mount Sinai. The book of Acts records the descent of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of this Jewish festival:
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)
Pentecost was a pivotal transition between Jesus’ earthly ministry and the beginning of the church. Just as God gave His law at Mount Sinai on the first Pentecost, at this Pentecost He gave the Holy Spirit and launched the New Covenant.
Signs and Miracles
The descent of the Holy Spirit came with supernatural signs and miracles that attracted attention. The violent rushing wind, tongues of fire, and speaking in tongues were all visible evidence of the Spirit’s coming. The unusual activity drew a crowd who was amazed to realize the disciples were declaring God’s wonders in a variety of foreign languages.
Peter addressed the crowd and delivered a powerful Spirit-empowered sermon. He proclaimed Jesus as Lord and Messiah and called people to repent and be baptized. About 3,000 people received his message and were baptized that day. The Holy Spirit enabled Peter and the other disciples to preach with conviction and authority. Whereas they had previously been fearful behind locked doors, they now boldly proclaimed the gospel in the power of the Spirit.
A Defining Moment
Pentecost represents the birthday of the Christian church. The Holy Spirit is the lifeblood that empowered believers for ministry and united them in Christ. Just as individual Christians experience regeneration through the work of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost was the regeneration of the church.
The missionary evangelist Charles Finny described it this way: “Pentecost is as much evidence of the commencement of the Christian dispensation as the descent of God on Sinai was the beginning of the dispensation of the Law. Pentecost was the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the anointing, the empowering of the church for its world mission.”
Pentecost was the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise about the coming of the Holy Spirit. It was the beginning of the disciples functioning as the body of Christ on earth empowered by the Spirit.
What Happens when the Holy Spirit Comes?
There are significant changes that occur in an individual and the church collectively when the Holy Spirit comes. Here are some of the key things that happen:
Transformation to Holiness
A primary work of the Holy Spirit is inner transformation. The Holy Spirit regenerates a sinful heart and begins the process of sanctification – being set apart for holy use. Paul writes that God’s people are temples of the Holy Spirit and they must flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Spirit empowers believers to produce the fruit of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit’s sanctifying power brings cleansing, renewal, and strength to resist temptation.
Gifts and Power for Ministry
The baptism of the Holy Spirit results in spiritual power for ministry and receiving spiritual gifts. Jesus promised the disciples would be “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The Spirit distributes gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, prophecy, tongues, and discernment to equip God’s people for works of service (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). These gifts empower them to preach the gospel, disciple believers, plant churches, heal the sick, and minister in supernatural ways for God’s kingdom.
Unity in Christ
The Holy Spirit unites believers into the one body of Christ. Though diverse, Christians share a common new life through the indwelling Spirit. Paul writes, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). The Spirit overcomes barriers of ethnicity, social class, and gender to unite believers in worship.
Empowered Witness
A key purpose of the Spirit is to empower Christians to be witnesses for Jesus. In Acts 1:8 Jesus promised “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses…” The Spirit emboldened the timid disciples and enabled them to preach powerfully. The Holy Spirit will also empower modern believers to share their faith with courage. As Charles Spurgeon said, “If you want to know the power of the Holy Spirit, you must be witnesses for Christ.”
Conviction of Sin
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of guilt concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). Conviction brings awareness of sin and awakens the need for salvation. The Spirit convinces people of the truth about who Jesus is and that judgment is coming. Powerful preaching in the Spirit can cut people to the heart and lead to repentance (Acts 2:37).
Inner Witness
The Holy Spirit assures Christians of their adoption as God’s children. Paul writes, “…the Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16). The inner witness provides confidence, comfort, and confirmation of being a child of God. The Spirit’s inner voice whispers truth and assurance into the believer’s spirit.
Prayer Intercession
The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers by uttering wordless groans and prayers according to the will of God. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). This powerful divine intercession expresses the deepest needs and desires of the soul.
Teaching and Revelation
A primary role of the Holy Spirit is to lead believers into truth through teaching and revelation. Jesus promised, “the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things” (John 14:26). The Spirit inspired Scripture and illuminates its meaning. For all who seek truth, the Spirit is an invaluable teacher and guide.
Prophecy and Dreams
The Holy Spirit gives believers messages of edification, encouragement and comfort through the gifts of prophecy, words of knowledge, tongues, and interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:3). He may speak through dreams like He did with Joseph. The Spirit offers timely and personal words to instruct and strengthen believers.
Boldness in Persecution
Even in the face of persecution, the Holy Spirit emboldens believers with courage and joy. At Pentecost, Peter showed no fear as he confronted the crowd about their sin. When persecuted early Christians prayed, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:31). The Spirit generates boldness in the midst of opposition.
Guidance
The Holy Spirit guides believers into God’s will and direction for their lives. In Acts 16, the Spirit prevented Paul from preaching in some areas and gave him a vision to go to Macedonia. Acts 13:2 says, “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'” The Spirit guides both individually and corporately as the church seeks God’s plans.
Conviction of God’s Reality
The Holy Spirit awakens an inner conviction that God is real and personal. Paul writes, “We know that we live in him and he in us because he has given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:13). The Spirit confirms God’s love and presence within us. Encounters with the Spirit create an unshakable conviction about God’s existence and desire for relationship.
Worship and Praise
The Holy Spirit inspires praise, worship, and singing as the primary expressions of love and gratitude to God. At Pentecost, the disciples immediately began declaring the wonders of God. Paul instructs believers to, “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18-19). The Spirit releases new songs, artistic expressions, and spiritual dances of worship.
The Indwelling Spirit
A momentous outcome of the giving of the Holy Spirit is that God now lives within His people through the Spirit. Jesus said the Counselor would dwell with believers and be in them (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit takes up residence within the heart of every born-again believer at conversion:
- Romans 8:9 – “The Spirit of God lives in you.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:16 – “You are God’s temple and God’s Spirit dwells in you.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 – “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you.”
- 2 Timothy 1:14 – “The Holy Spirit lives in us.”
This indwelling Spirit transforms believers into a new creation enabling them to fulfill God’s purposes. The Holy Spirit provides the power, gifts, and guidance to live a holy life devoted to God.
Conclusion
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was a watershed moment in history that birthed the church and initiated the New Covenant age of grace. The Spirit empowers believers for holy living, spiritual gifts, and witness. He brings new life, teaching, prayer, worship, prophecy, dreams, and guidance. Through the indwelling Spirit, God’s presence lives within His people transforming them into His likeness.
Charles Finney summed up the importance of the Spirit this way: “No Christian can ever have access to Christ’s atonement and draw on that atonement by faith unless the Holy Spirit dwelleth in him. It is only by the Spirit that we have access to Jesus and learn to live by faith.” The Holy Spirit applies the work of Jesus in the believer’s life.
The coming of the Holy Spirit inaugurated the New Covenant age of the Spirit that continues until Christ returns. Every believer can continually ask for and yield to the filling of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes in power both individually and corporately, the results are a transformative inner life, divine gifts and abilities for ministry, and the fruit of Christlike character.