Acts 2 and the rest of the Bible describe at least ten areas in which the Holy Spirit works in our lives and in the world. Prayerfully reflect on your own life to see where you need to receive more of the Holy Spirit’s power.
We need the Holy Spirit to prepare us for Jesus’ coming and to empower us to share the gospel with the world. Acts 2 and the rest of the Bible describe at least ten areas in which the Holy Spirit works in our lives and in the world. Study these texts and search for others. Prayerfully reflect on your own life to see where you need to receive more of the Holy Spirit’s power.
"A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. Our heavenly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. But it is our work, by confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer, to fulfill the conditions upon which God has promised to grant us His blessing" (Selected Messages, Volume 1, 122).
“If you then, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Luke 11:13, 9).
1. Conviction. “Omnipresence of the Spirit”
John 16:7-11; John 14:16-18; Psalm 139:7-10, 23-24; John 1:9; Acts 7:51
What is God convicting me to change in my life? Is there something He wants me to do or say?
2. Conversion. “Born of the Spirit”
John 3:5-6; John 7:37-39; Titus 3:4-7; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:14-17
Am I a new person in Christ, walking in the joy of forgiveness and in the transforming power of Christ living in me?
3. Relationship with God. “Sword of the Spirit”
Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; John 16:13; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Romans 8:1-11
Am I spending meaningful time with God every day in Bible study?
Do I have victory through His word?
4. Christian Character. “Fruit of the Spirit”
Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:4-5; 2 Corinthians 3:3-6; 17-18; Ezekiel 36:27; Ephesians 3:16-20
Am I becoming more and more like Jesus, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in my relationships with my family, my neighbors, my classmates, and my co-workers?
5. Prayer. “Breath of the Spirit”
Romans 8:26-27; Revelation 8:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 15:30-31
Am I spending significant time praying for myself, my family, my church, and the lost?
Do I pray with faith expecting miracles from God?
6. Good Works. “Gifts of the Spirit”
Luke 4:18-21; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 28-31; Ephesians 4:7-16; Zechariah 4:6; Matthew 25:1-13
Am I using my gifts to help the sick, the poor, the sorrowful, and those in bondage to habits or evil spirits?
7. Spoken Witness. “Tongues of the Spirit”
Acts 4:31; Acts 2:1-8; 1 Corinthians 2:2-5; Ephesians 6:18-20; Matthew 10:19-20
Am I telling others the gospel with earnest love and boldness?
Am I frequently sharing my testimony?
8. Community of Believers. “Body of the Spirit”
Ephesians 2:14-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:30-32
Am I loving towards the people in my church, forgiving them, encouraging them, and kindly rebuking them when they are wrong?
9. Worship. “Temple of the Spirit”
Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 5:18-20; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; John 4:23-24; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:1-10
Am I praising God in the midst of trials?
Do I regularly worship God with my words, songs, and attitude?
10. Multiplication. “Latter Rain of the Spirit”
Joel 2:23-24, 28-32; Zechariah 10:1; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2; Revelation 18:1
Am I praying daily for the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Am I leading a small group or discipling someone else to receive more and more of the Holy Spirit?
When you are finished reflecting, share with a friend the ways you want the Holy Spirit to work more powerfully in your life. Pray for each other to receive the Holy Spirit in a greater amount.
If you would like to study these ten areas and more about the Holy Spirit, you can obtain a free Bible study guide called "Growing in the Spirit" by Scott Griswold. Visit the Global Mission Center for Adventist Buddhist Relations. Register for "Member Login." Look under "More Resources from CABR."
