Ministers
of The Spirit
Who are the ministers of the spirit? First off, lets take the duty of a minister (one duly ordained to the service of God in the Christian church). Now lets take the duty of a minister of the spirit (one who brings the everlasting gospel of God to those here on earth). There were ministers of the spirit in the Old Testament (Numbers 11:25-29), Spirit to the seventy elders. However, in the New Testament, our Heavenly Father has given us the opportunity to be ministers of the new spirit. The promise given to Jeremiah for the future. (Jeremiah 31:31-34), the new covenant of repentance. The letter of the law of Moses produced condemnation, a sense of guilt, danger, and did not produce pardon, relief, and joy. The law denounced death; condemned sin in all forms; and the effect of it was to produce a sense of guilt and condemnation. But the spirit gives life. (John 6:63), It is the Spirit alone that gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. Now with that being said, lets begin out study in the book of Revelation.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (Revelation 14:6). The angel of God, a "minister of the spirit" who has the everlasting gospel to preach to the world. Those on earth in the end times who were deceived will finally here the truth of the Word. (Everyone will be set straight at this time). Some may say that the Gospel is preached all over the world today, so this must be a second chance. Not at all... Some never had a chance in the first place to hear the real truth. They have been locked into bondage by mans religion instead of being set free by the everlasting gospel of God. (John 8:32), The truth in the Word will always set you free. Free from what? Free from the old law, traditions of men, false teachings, and ways of the world. Most important, "Free from being a slave to Satan!" Now lets go to the book of Joel and see how the Spirit comes to all men.
And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit. (Joel 2:28-29). This happened on Pentecost day, and is an end times prophecy that has begun already. God's Spirit is being poured out upon all those who accept it. Men, woman, and children can all have the Spirit of God within them. That is why the "Good News" is being preached all over the world today. Preached for the non-believer as well as the believer, so that all will come to repentance and become believers, being baptized into the family of God. "Those baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-29). We are one body and there is one Spirit. (Ephesians 4:4-7), Christ has given each of us special abilities, whatever special gift He gives us to further His cause. Turn with me to the book of Philippians to see how a good Christian performs.
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27). Behave as good citizens and good Christians as an example to others. Teach the Gospel with one mind and spirit as it is written, and forget the traditions of men. "Be a true minister of the Spirit." Again, we are one body in Christ and are of the same Spirit. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13). We all share the same spirit. The one many member body of Christ. (The Holy Spirit). Again, the same Spirit that fell upon the apostles and the people on Pentecost day. Lets go to the book of Acts to verify what took place.
The disciples just got done casting lots to see who would replace Judas. "It would be Matthias." Then the day of Pentecost was here and they were all gathered in one place. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Acts 2:1). Seven weeks had passed since the death and resurrection of Jesus. Pentecost is 50 days after the annual celebration of Passover. (Leviticus 23:16), Remember that Christ became our "Passover" as the sacrificial lamb slain. (1 Corinthians 5:7, Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:19. Revelation 5:6). And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:2). As the believers met together that day, there was a sound like a roaring wind that filled the house where they were meeting. "The Holy Spirit." And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (Acts 2:3). Then what looked like flames of fire from many directions appeared and settled on their heads. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4). And everyone present was filled with the "Holy Spirit" and began to speak and understand languages they did not know. (This was not an unknown tongue). The "Holy Spirit" gave them the ability to understand in every language spoken. Man cannot do that, only the "Holy Spirit" can.
So, once again, as true and mature Christians, we are made "able ministers of the new Spirit" by God. Lets go to the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 3 and see what the apostle Paul tells us. In verse one, Paul is explaining that we do not want to be like those false teachers who must tell you about themselves, and bring long letters of recommendation and credentials with them. In verse two and three he continues to say, the only letter or credentials needed is yourself. By looking at the good change in your hearts, everyone can see that we have done good works. They can see that you are a letter from Christ. Not a letter written with pen and ink, but by the "Spirit" of the "Living God." In verse four and five Paul makes it clear that these things are not done on our own, but by our great trust in God through Christ. (All the knowledge and power coming from God). Now in verse six he explains the purpose of "ministers of the new testament." Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Corinthians 3:6), i.e. God is the one who has helped us tell others about the new agreement to save them. We don't tell people that they must obey every law of God or die; but we are to tell them that there is "life" for them from the Holy Spirit. (Able ministers of the new Spirit). Who else preached this message?
The Spirit giving life was the main message of Christ. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63). It is the Spirit alone that gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. These words that I have spoken to you are spiritual and give life. (1 Peter 1:23), "Born from above." Not of corruptible seed or body that shall parish, but born of a new spirit from within that will last forever because it comes from the eternal living Word of God.
How was the Spirit given to the people. Lets go to the book of Acts chapter 2 and we will see what happened when Peter was addressing the people on the day of Pentecost. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (Acts 2:40). Peter with a long sermon warns his listeners to save themselves from the evils of their generation. The same is meant for the evils of today's generation. Don't be deceived and remain in bondage to this world. Follow Christ and be free! Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41). Those who believed Peter were baptized, and in the same day about 3,000 were added to the 120 that established the first Christian church. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42). They continued to fellowship with the apostles in communion, prayer meetings, and learning their doctrine. Keep in mind that it was not the apostles doctrine, or traditions of men that they were teaching. It was Christ's doctrine. The Word! (They were ministers of the Spirit, or ministers of the Word). Following this, God's Word spread and was preached as the disciples increased in Jerusalem. Many of the Jewish priest were also converted; because they did it God's way. (Acts 6:7).
Whether professing Christians or ministers of the Spirit, all our knowledge and power comes form God through His Word. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. (2 Peter 1:3). As we get to know Christ better, He will give us, through His great power, everything we need for living a truly good life. He even shares His own glory and goodness with us. So, how do we get to know Him better? "Through the study of the Word." Christ is the living Word!
Keep The Faith,Barton