Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. (Luke 4:14)

The Holy Spirit Guides and Empowers Ministry

Jesus is Christ, the one anointed by the Spirit of God:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, (Luke 4:18)

The power of the Spirit that rested on Jesus enabled Him to deliver those oppressed by demons. This is the authority and power of the Kingdom of God.

But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Matthew 12:28)

The Holy Spirit is God. He directs and empowers ministry. Get a sense of the authority exhibited in the following verse:

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2)

I don't think we emphasize the above verse enough when considering the work of missions.

In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. (Acts 13:1)

Various prophets and teachers were worshiping the Lord and fasting. They were seeking the mind of the Spirit. It is not said they were planning missionary endeavors, although this may have been the case.

But notice how powerfully and authoritatively the Spirit spoke:

"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

We of today might discover that if we, from time to time, would wait on the Lord, the Spirit would speak with just that same degree of authority. We certainly need this today as so many different doctrines are emerging. Numerous voices are proclaiming this and that, but is the Spirit speaking?

The Jews were inquiring concerning the coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth. The Lord directed their attention to the work of testifying of His atoning death and triumphant resurrection. But they were not to attempt such a witness in their own power.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

And then:

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:4)

The Holy Spirit gave the first Christian sermon:

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!" (Acts 4:8)

The Spirit continued the work of bearing witness of the Lord Jesus:

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31)

The Christian ministry is not so much that of transmitting information, although the transmission of information can be of great importance. However, even more important is the transmission of eternal life.

To be continued.