THE PURPOSE OF HOLY SPIRIT ON EARTH
The primary purpose of the Holy Spirit is to strengthen each believer and endow them with power and boldness so that they become witnesses for Christ. The Holy Spirit lovingly watches over, encourages, nourishes and grows the church.
I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.
– Luke 24:29
This is what Jesus tells his disciples, he first asks them to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, but asks them to wait till they receive the promise (Holy Spirit) which will give them power which they need to spread the Gospel. It is dangerous and ineffective trying to preach Jesus to people when you yourself do not have the Holy Spirit.
And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
– John 16:8
Jesus also says that the Holy Spirit will show the world what sin is, how to lead righteous lives and share knowledge about the judgement of God. This is important as without knowing what sin is, people won’t see a need to repent. Without sin there is no meaning for what Jesus did on the cross for us. The next step after repentance is righteousness, once you know you are wrong and sorry, you begin to wonder what is the right way to do things. The Word of God is the authority when it comes to righteousness. Finally the Spirit will also warn men of the final judgement of God
Biblical Inspiration
The Apostles John and Peter were walking into a synagogue to preach the Gospel to the Jews there. As they were entering they saw a man who was lame from birth. This man was carried and put by the gates to the synagogue every day so that he may beg and survive on alms that the people offered him. He was well known in the temple circles as he was a regular there. When this man saw Peter and John he immediately asked them for alms.
Peter observed this man and saw that he had faith, he told this man that he does not have silver or gold but what he has he is willing to share. He then told the man “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” As Peter spoke these words this man felt strength flow into his limbs, for the first time he was able to stand up.
He went into the temple with Peter and John and was jumping around praising God, along the way. All the people who were at the temple were shocked and amazed. They knew who the man was, but could not believe their eyes when they saw him healed.
This gave Peter and John an opportunity to preach the Gospel to the masses. That day alone, five thousand people started believing in Jesus and were saved. The next day the two Apostles were given another chance to preach the Gospel before the religious leaders of the time and once again the Holy Spirit gave them the exact words to speak. The council was surprised with how two illiterate men, could know so much about the scriptures.
This is an example of how the Holy Spirit reached so many people and grew the church through two men who were willing to be led.