Episode 20: Empowered by the Holy Spirit | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed
Understanding the Holy Spirit's Empowerment Today
In the Apostles' Creed, we affirm our belief in the Holy Spirit, but what does this really mean? How are we, as believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit today? Let’s dive deeper into what it means to experience the Holy Spirit’s work both within and upon us, breaking it down through Scripture and reflecting on its practical application in our lives.
The Spirit’s Empowerment in Jesus’ Ministry
To begin, let’s take a look at Jesus’ life. The power behind His miracles wasn’t just a display of divine authority. As Simon Ponsonby highlights, Jesus, while fully God, embraced His human nature fully, relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength to carry out His ministry. In this way, the Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to perform miracles that pointed to His divinity, fulfilling the prophecies of the Messiah. However, the power was not exclusive to Jesus; it was through the Holy Spirit that others performed miracles, too. Even after Jesus’ resurrection, believers continued performing miraculous acts through the Spirit.
This is important because it helps us understand that the Holy Spirit works not only in divine moments but also in ordinary lives. The Spirit’s work is not just a relic of the past but continues to empower and equip believers today. We should not separate the divine power seen in Jesus’ life from the Holy Spirit’s ongoing role in our own lives.
The Spirit Within and Upon Us
In the Old Testament, we often see the Holy Spirit coming “upon” individuals temporarily, bestowing special gifts or abilities for a particular moment or task. For example, in Numbers 11 and Joel 2, the Spirit came upon people for specific purposes. Similarly, we see this in the New Testament, where Jesus’ disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and the Spirit came to dwell “within” them, marking a significant shift.
The distinction between the Spirit "upon" and the Spirit "within" is crucial for understanding our relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit "upon" refers to a temporary filling for a specific purpose. It’s the same word used in the Bible when moments of extraordinary actions, like prophecy or healing, occur. For example, in Luke 1, Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit, and she prophesied, though she had no prior knowledge of the situation. The Spirit’s filling in these moments is for a divine purpose, not for everyday occurrences.
On the other hand, the Spirit "within" refers to an inner work that transforms and sustains believers. This is an ongoing process where the Holy Spirit dwells within us, continually filling us, changing us, and leading us closer to Christ. This is a permanent presence that empowers us for daily living, molding us into the likeness of Jesus. It’s not a one-time event but a continuous filling, just like the child growing in Luke 2:40, who was “filled with wisdom.”
The Spirit and Effective Ministry Today
One common misconception in some Christian circles is the idea that we must be baptized in the Holy Spirit to have an effective ministry. While the Holy Spirit’s work is undeniably crucial for a fruitful life and ministry, the Scriptures do not support the notion of a "second event" for every believer. The New Testament does not present a separate "baptism" of the Holy Spirit as a requirement for ministry. Instead, the Holy Spirit is given to all believers as a permanent presence to empower them for service.
Acts 8 and Acts 19 describe instances where the Holy Spirit came upon believers in powerful ways, but these are descriptive, not prescriptive. They reflect specific moments in history, such as when the early church had to demonstrate unity between Jews and Samaritans. These moments of the Spirit’s coming were unique to their context, helping establish the church’s foundation.
Embracing the Fullness of God: Moving Beyond Half-Measures
In today's world, especially within the Western church, it’s easy to settle for what we call "half measures" when it comes to our relationship with God. Some people think they’ve done enough by praying a prayer, checking off the boxes of salvation, and moving on with life. But is that all there is to following Christ? In reality, God has so much more for us. He wants to transform us—continually shaping us into the people He’s called us to be. This is the heart of the message of the Apostles' Creed and what it means to live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
The Danger of Spiritual Stagnation
When we look at the lives of many Christians, particularly in the West, it’s apparent that a lot of us are content with just getting by. We’ve prayed the prayer, we believe in Jesus, and we might even go to church regularly. But that doesn't mean we’re walking in the fullness of God's plan for us. As one person put it recently, "I prayed my prayer, I got my 'fire insurance,' and I’m content with where I'm at." But is that the kind of relationship God desires with us?
God’s plan isn’t for us to remain stagnant. He wants to give us more of Himself, to transform us through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we read in the Bible, it’s not about a one-time prayer and a passive faith. Instead, it’s about a continual process of sanctification—of growing, learning, and becoming more like Christ. This transformation doesn’t happen on its own; we have to actively submit to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to work in us, correct us, and lead us every day.
Living with the Holy Spirit
To live fully in God’s will, we need to be aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. It's not enough to just check off our religious duties. We need to actively invite God into our daily lives, seeking to understand where He’s at work and stepping into those moments. For example, think about how different your day could be if you began your morning by praying, "God, show me what You are doing today, and give me the courage to step into that." Suddenly, the mundane becomes holy. You start to look for ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus, whether that’s in a grocery store, at work, or even changing a diaper.
By practicing the presence of God, we begin to notice how He’s working in the world around us. Whether it’s helping a stranger, comforting a friend, or simply being aware of God's love in our daily tasks, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in all things. This awareness is key to living a transformed life. It’s about letting God use us to be a part of His bigger story in the world.
Word and Spirit: The Power to Transform
As we reflect on the Spirit’s role in our lives, it's important to remember that both the Word of God and the Spirit must work together. The Bible tells us that the Spirit gives us the dynamism—the power—to live out God’s will in the world. When the church operates without a conscious reliance on the Holy Spirit, it becomes powerless, focused only on the letter of the Word without the life-giving power of the Spirit. However, when Word and Spirit come together, we see transformation—not only in our personal lives but in the world around us.
It’s when we live in this balance, empowered by the Spirit and grounded in Scripture, that we see real change. God desires to restore the world through the Spirit, just as He did through Christ. As His people, we are called to participate in that restoration. And while God's sovereign plan will unfold with or without us, why wouldn't we want to be a part of it? When we align ourselves with His will, that’s when life becomes truly exciting.
Conclusion
Our prayer for ourselves and for the church is that we would never be a powerless body of believers. We want to be constantly transformed by the Holy Spirit, always seeking God’s presence, and allowing His power to work in and through us. The world desperately needs a church that is alive with the power of the Spirit—one that isn't just going through the motions, but one that is actively participating in the redemptive work of God in the world. Let’s not settle for half-measures. Let's fully embrace the Spirit and allow Him to change us into the people He’s called us to be.
