Purpose of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament Days

This episode continues the Spirit's work in the "last days". It is important to realize that the promise of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28, cf. Acts 2) was an outpouring like never before or after those days. His arrival was a sign that the last days had come. The apostles were Christ's ambassadors and were directly given the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. As revealers, miraculous power was given as proof that they were from God and that the message they spoke was from God (it confirmed the word, Mark 16:20). Though prophets, evangelists, and pastors also taught, they received their gift through the laying on of the apostles' hands. All saints who had come into this new relationship with Christ were promised the Holy Spirit who would grant some spiritual gift as was promised in Acts 2:38 but it was not automatic (cf. Acts 8 & 19). For all saints, the gift of the Holy Spirit assured them that they were counted among the saints and were a part of the body of Christ (confirmed their identity).

The Holy Spirit orchestrated the entire time of edification when gathered together. People could hinder His work by interrupting with unnecessary questions or being unwilling to be quiet when another received a message from Him. He gave the saints gifts as it pleased Him, gave revelation according to His will. All the saints had to do is humbly receive from Him and share His message among all. Though not all had gifts related to teaching, they were all necessary for the benefit of the body of Christ.

Once His mission and purpose in coming alongside the apostles as Comforter was fulfilled and the new age has begun, today's kingdom is not guided by Him in the same way. The Scriptures are a product of His work as "holy men of God spoke as they were being moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), it was then written and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that we might be complete, thoroughly furnished unto every good work."