Trust in the Holy Spirit

In the last two weeks we considered the effects of the baptism in the Holy Spirit upon the general life and worship of a Christian congregation.

We shall now focus our attention upon the special ministry of the preacher – that is, the believer called by God to the vital ministry of preaching God’s Word. The questions we shall seek to answer are these:

1. What special results are produced in the ministry of the preacher by the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
2. In what main ways does the ministry of a preacher who is empowered by the Holy Spirit differ from that of one who is not?

In considering the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the preacher, it is appropriate to begin with the words of Peter in 1 Pet. 1:12:

“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.”

He reminds the early Church of the example and the standard set before them by the preachers who had brought the gospel message to them. He speaks of those “who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven”.

These words bring out the main distinctive nature of the New Testament preachers. They did not depend primarily upon education or eloquence or natural talents; they preached by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. They reckoned and depended upon the real, personal presence and power of the Holy Spirit working in them, through them and with them. Every other means and talent they employed was kept subservient to this one controlling influence: the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.