At the new birth of a believer, the Holy Spirit immediately effects a five-fold work in the person.
What are these ministries given to the believer at the time of salvation? Let's take a look at what the Word of God tells to us on this subject.
1. REGENERATION: The Holy Spirit regenerates the believing sinner. He literally recreates him and gives him the nature of God. Check out the following scripture references: Titus 3:5; John 3:3-7; I Peter 1:23.
2. BAPTIZES: The Holy Spirit baptizes the believing sinner. References: Romans 6:34; I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:4-5
3. INDWELLS: The Holy Spirit indwells the believing sinner. In other words, he not only joins us to the Savior (through the baptism) but he joins himself to us. References: John 14:20; I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 2:12; Romans 8:9. The purpose of this indwelling ministry is to give the newly created nature power to with stand the evil in the world. Read the following scripture passages: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians5:16-18; Ephesians 3:16
4. SEALS: The Holy Spirit seals the believing sinner. References: 2 Corinthians 1:2;
Ephesians 1:13; 4
5. FILLS: The Holy Spirit fills the believing sinner. References: Acts 2:4 . We will be discussing more about this fifth ministry in our next three lessons.
In conclusions: All five of these ministries happen instantaneously to the believing sinner. They all occur by faith and are not in the least dependent upon one's personal emotional feelings at the time. The first four ministries can never be taken from the believing Christian who accepts Jesus in his heart. He has for all eternity been regenerated, indwelled, baptized, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. The fifth ministry, however, can be lost, and therefore asked for as many times as needed. In our next lessons, we will examine many scripture passages to establish these facts.
The above notes are summarized from: Willmington's Guide to the Bible, pages 656-658
I look forward to our time together on Sunday.
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