Bible clearly reveals God as exists in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God. There is only one God. They are same in power and glory. Father is the authoritative aspect; Son is the human – mediative aspect and Holy Spirit is the executing aspect.
During the Old Testament period the work of the Holy Spirit with its power and grace was limited to a few selected individuals. For example Samson (Jud.13:25), Moses and 70 others ( Num.11:17), Bezalel ( Exo. 31:2-5).
During the time of Jesus we see the work of the Holy Spirit at the time of His birth, ( Mathew 1: 16,20). We also see the work of the Holy Spirit in John the Baptist, ( Luk. 1:15), Zechariah ( Luk. 1: 67), Simon (Luk.2:25).
After Jesus’ ascension, we find the experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This is a very special experience of the Holy Spirit by the people of God ever in the history before. Jesus had promised about this experience during his earthly ministry. He had also described the ministry details of this experience of the Holy Spirit.
Jusus taught that the Holy Spirit would convince the world about the sin, righteousness and judgment. One very important work of the Holy Spirit would be that of an advocate (John 16:7-8). All the work of evangelism, mission and edification during the period of the New Testament church is done by the Holy Spirit. In any of the English translations of the Bible the word used for Holy Spirit in John 16:7, 14:16 and 14 26 is advocate. In Greek it is “paracletos” which means one who helps or mediates for another. The words “counsellor” or “comforter” is also used in a few translations.
In Greek lexicon the word “ paracletos” means one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader or counsel for defence, legal assistant, an advocate, a helper, assistant…. In today’s society business people, firms, families, and institutions have their own advocates. Advocates help their clients in many different ways. Advocates usually help the clients in the following ways:
Appraising the people about the legal system in the society.
Pleading in courts for getting justice to his clients.
When his clients are tried in the courts, an advocate gives counselling and training to them in advance as what they should speak.
An advocate pleads in the court instead of his client.
All judgements in the courts are controlled by advocates.
In light of the above works of an advocate we can easily understand how Holy Spirit works for a believer in Christ. Believers are not in a position to hire a human advocate for life, but we have Holy Spirit an advocate who is there with us all throughout the year.
Our advocate Holy Spirit is also the judge. If we have Holy Spirit as our advocate we can surely hope for a favourable judgement from father, God.
Courts are counselling centres too. Many family courts before they make divorce judgements, tries to counsel the problem couples.
Again, Holy Spirit is yet another advocate. Jesus himself said about it. (1 John 2:1) Holy Spirit is our advocate on earth and Jesus is our advocate in heaven in the right-hand side of God the father. When Holy Spirit helps us to draw near to our God, Jesus is working as a mediator for us before God the Father.
The following are the 5 most important ministries Holy Spirit is engaged in the Church.
Holy Spirit dwells with us forever (John 14:16).
Holy Spirit interprets the truths to us and lead us in all truths.
Hoy Spirit sets us free from the power of sin (Romans 8:1-3).
Holy Spirit help us in our suffering (Acts 7:54-60).
Holy Spirit empowers us to witness Jesus through mission and Evangelism (Acts 1:8).
