There is unfortunately great confusion
concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit in this
dispensation. People often seek to glorify the person and work
of the Spirit through magnifying spiritual gifts and/or giving undue
attention to the Spirit. Scripture is clear that the Spirit came not
to seek His own glory but rather to glorify Jesus Christ.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Divine
Trinity. He is fully God and has a genuine personality. In the Old
Testament He was instrumental in the Revelation of God to man and enabled
certain men in supernormal ways to accomplish God's will. In the New
Testament He was instrumental in the ministry of Jesus Christ - filling,
leading, anointing, and empowering Christ to fulfill His mission. We
believe that today the work of the Holy Spirit may be seen in four
distinct areas: in the world at large (Common Grace); in the life of an
unbeliever (Conviction); in the life of a believer at the moment of
salvation (Regeneration, Indwelling, Sealing, and Baptism); and in the
life of a believer after salvation (Filling, Fruit, Illumination, and
Gifts). The Holy Spirit will continue much of His ministry throughout the
Tribulation and the Millennium. We also believe that the Holy Spirit
will throughout the course of His ministry refuse to bring glory to
Himself, but rather seek to glorify Jesus Christ.
This information is also available in a
detailed outline suitable for study.
