THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (3)

1. His Work

a) Now we want to think of the work of God's Spirit. There is one God, but He works in different ways. The Spirit never acts differently from the Father or the Son.

b) Let's look at the work of the Holy Spirit.

2. His Work in relation to Christ

a) We can see the close relation of the Son of God and the Spirit of God when we read about the life of the Lord Jesus Christ here on earth.

b) The birth of Christ. The Holy Spirit came on the virgin Mary, Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35.

c) The baptism of Christ. The Spirit anointed Christ after the baptism on Him and abiding on Him. This act fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. It proved to John and other men that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah. It showed that God accepted Him, Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:10-11; Luke 3:22.

d) The temptation of Christ. After the baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into wild country to be tested by Satan, Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1.

e) The service of Christ. After Satan's temptations, the Lord Jesus Christ started three very busy years. He healed the sick and preached the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, Luke 4:14, 18.

f) The death of Christ. The Lord Jesus had power to lay down His life for the sheep, and to take it again. This command He received from His Father, John 10:18. Yet we also read it was through the Eternal Spirit that Christ offered Himself without spot to God, Hebrews 9:14.

g) The resurrection of Christ. In Acts 3:15, etc., it is said God raised Christ from the dead. In 1 Peter 3:18 He was made alive by the Spirit.

h) The return of Christ. The Spirit causes the bride (the church) to have a great desire for Christ's return, Revelation 22:17.