THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MINISTRY

Lesson 2

OVERVIEW

This lesson establishes a biblical foundation for understanding ministry as the work of God accomplished through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Beginning with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, students explore how God’s divine order is revealed through Apostolic Order and expressed through spiritual gifts, ministry functions, and the Government of God within the

The lesson clarifies that ministry does not originate from human ability, position, or ambition, but from God Himself dwelling and working in His sons. Key concepts such as prophesying, spiritual gifts, measure, the ministry of reconciliation, and the five-fold ministry are examined to reveal that all ministry is performed by Christ in and through believers. Emphasis is placed on unity, submission to God’s established order, and the purpose of leadership gifts as instruments for edification, maturity, and the building of the Body of Christ.

Objectives During this lesson, you should be able to:

1. 1. Examine the role of the Holy Spirit in ministry as revealed through the Day of Pentecost.

2. 2. Discuss the biblical meaning of prophesying, extending it beyond predicting to include teaching, preaching, praise, edification, exhortation, and comfort as inspired by the Holy Spirit.

3. 3. Explain with suitable examples, why spiritual gifts are God’s sovereign work through believers, rather than their natural abilities.

4. 4. Describe the Ministry of Reconciliation, including how God reconciles the world to Himself through those He indwells.

5. 5. Define the concept of “measure” with reference to ministerial responsibility, gifting, and the scope of influence assigned by Christ.

Activity 2.1a

PREPARATION ACTIVITY

Discovering the Meaning of Order

How did Jesus’ disciples know what they should expect and do after His departure? To respond, examine the Bible references in the table below and use your findings to complete the table.

Activity 2.1b

How did the disciples show their love for the Lord, and how did He respond?

THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY GHOST

God’s intent for how the Body of Christ should function is revealed through Apostolic Order. Although

the topic may seem confusing to many, it becomes truly enlightening once understood. To teach it

effectively, we must first lay a proper foundation. Let us start by unfolding the great mystery that began 7 on the Day of Pentecost.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

When the Holy Spirit was first given to men, they began speaking in languages that were not their own. Bystanders assumed they were drunk, but the apostle Peter stood up and clarified that their behavior was not due to any alcohol, but was a result of being filled with the Holy Ghost.

8 In his explanation, Peter quoted the prophet Joel, who foretold that the day would come when God

would pour out His Spirit upon flesh. This outpouring of the Spirit is known as the infilling of the Holy

9 Ghost, which is the moment when the Holy Spirit enters and abides within an individual’s body.

According to the prophecy, the infilling of the Holy Ghost would be accompanied by evidence. Suddenly, individuals who were not considered prophets or priests would have spiritual encounters with God. Through salvation, the sons, daughters, young men, old men, servants, and handmaidens of God would all prophesy and receive dreams.

Activity 2.2 Match each type of prophesying listed below with the scripture that best demonstrates it.

• Futuristic Events, The Prophet’s Role, Teaching, Praise, Edification, Exhortation, & Comfort.

1. 1 Isaiah 40:2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

2. 2 Ephesians 4:20-24 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

3. 3 Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

4. 4 Psalm 31:23 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

5. 5 Luke 1:67-68 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

6. 6 Acts 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

7. 7 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Note: When people are filled with the Holy Spirit, they receive spiritual gifts from God that enable them to speak, perceive, and do things that only God can do. The mystery is that, while it may seem as though these individuals have gained spiritual power, it is actually God who has entered their bodies and is performing these acts through them. Since their bodies have become His dwelling place, He speaks, teaches, and works miracles through these vessels, which now belong to Him and operate according to His will.

A spiritual gift is a special ability given by God to an individual to accomplish something beyond normal

12 human ability. It is called a gift, because the individual through whom God works did nothing to earn it.

They have been chosen and blessed to be used by God solely by His sovereignty.

Activity Find three (3) Scriptures that indicate that God works in and through the sons of God. 2.3a

• Scripture 1

• Scripture 2

• Scripture 3

Activity Use the scenarios below to explain how God is at work through the bodies of the believers. 2.3b

SCENARIO

Explanation

(a) Johnny laid his hands on a blind man

and the man miraculously recovered.

(b) Tristan was praying and then suddenly

started speaking in a strange language.

(c) Anne was speaking with her colleague

Tina when she suddenly had a vision of Tina

crying at night.

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

The Scripture above make us aware that when someone becomes a son of God, they are not only new and godly, but they have also been given ministry. This ministry is called, “The Ministry of Reconciliation.”

The Ministry of Reconciliation is God working through an individual He indwells (a son) to bring His lost sheep back to Himself. He accomplishes this through preaching, teaching, miracles, prayers, acts of service, and holy living. Jesus was the first to be used by God in this way, but the same ministry to reconcile others to God has now been given to the sons of God. Just as He did through Jesus, God is now reconciling the world to Himself through His sons.

Thus, all ministry is done by God in and through the born-again believer.

MEASURE

When someone receives the Holy Spirit, he/she is given a specific responsibility and is equipped by God with the capability or gifts to fulfill it. This is what the Scripture refers to as a “measure.” An individual’s measure encompasses ministerial responsibility, gifting, and the people he/she is meant to reach throughout his/her ministry.

Example: The Measure given to Philip - The Evangelist (Acts 6:5)

Reflection: What is your measure?

The Scripture above provides further clarity on what “measure” means.

…according to the measure of the gift of Christ. The Scripture clearly reveals that the measure is specific to Christ. In other words, when the Holy Ghost (Christ) enters an individual, He determines the role, gift, and reach that He will have in that person. Once again, all ministry is performed by God through His people. Therefore, even though saints receive gifts and a measure, they can do nothing on their own; it is Christ in them who accomplishes all things related to ministry.

The following verse provides further clarity regarding Christ and His gifts to the Church:

Here, Paul quotes a verse from the Psalms, emphasizing that God gave spiritual gifts as part of the redemption plan. However, the direct quote from the Psalms offers even greater insight into how these gifts were given.

Notice the contrast here:

The Psalm clarifies that Jesus is the one who received these spiritual gifts from God. He is the apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, and evangelist. He is the healer, miracle worker, and discerner. All gifts are His. However, He has given these gifts to men by living within them. They operate by Him through their vessels, as His stewards. This causes the power to be of God and not of men.

Activity 2.4a The Ministry Mirror: What Do You See?

Part A: Scripture Completion and Discovery

Study the three Scripture passages surrounding the mirror and complete the following tasks.

1. 1. Complete the missing words or phrases in each Scripture passage using the King James Version.

2. 2. What common truths do these three Scriptures reflect?

Activity Part B: Personal Reflection 2.4b

Imagine yourself looking into the mirror. In light of the Scriptures, reflect on the following questions.

1. 3. What do these Scriptures reveal about your gifting?

2. 4. What do they reveal about the posture of your heart toward ministry?

THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY

The Scripture verses above describe what is commonly known as the five-fold ministry, the spiritual governing body of the Church, also called the Government of God. It consists of five leadership gifts: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists. These gifts work together to instruct, demonstrate, and clarify the work of ministry, and to edify the body of believers.

Many believers misunderstand the five-fold ministry by viewing it as a set of titles, positions of power, or rank rather than a divine structure of service in the Kingdom of God. In truth, these gifts are not positions of status but functions given by Christ to build and mature His Body. They operate together in unity, not in competition, and remain essential today within the Church. Each gift must function under God’s calling, authority, and Spirit, not human ambition. Each gift ensures that the Church reflects the harmony and maturity of Christ Himself.

In later lessons, the role of each gift and how they function together will be explored.

• APOSTLE

• PROPHET

• PASTOR

• TEACHER

• EVANGELIST

Lesson 2: Main Points

1. 1. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Ministry: Ministry originates with God and is sustained by the Holy Spirit. God sovereignly determines how He is revealed through His children as true ministry is not based on human ability, ambition, position, or title.

2. 2. The Day of Pentecost as the Pattern for Ministry: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost establishes God’s pattern for ministry in the Church. From this point onward, God works from within all whom He indwells rather than externally through a limited few.

3. 3. Prophesying Is Broader Than Prediction: Biblically, prophesying is not limited to foretelling future events. It includes Spirit-inspired teaching, preaching, praise, exhortation, comfort, and edification as expressions empowered by the Holy Spirit to strengthen and build up the Body of Christ.

4. 4. Ownership and Source of Spiritual Gifts: Spiritual gifts do not belong to believers; they are the works of Christ through which God is revealed. The power and effectiveness of these gifts remain God’s.

5. 5. The Ministry of Reconciliation: Every born-again believer has been entrusted with the Ministry of Reconciliation. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, God restores the world to Himself preaching, teaching, prayer, service, miracles, and holy living.

6. 6. The Believer’s Measure: A “measure” refers to the specific responsibility, gifting, and scope of influence Christ assigns to each believer. This measure is determined by Christ and defines how He intends to work through that individual.

7. 7. The Five-Fold Ministry is a Structure of Service, Not Status: The five-fold ministry represents God’s governmental structure for equipping the Church. These gifts exist to equip the saints, promote unity, and bring the Body of Christ to maturity. They are roles of service and function, not positions of superiority or rank.

8. 8. Unity and Submission are required for Effective Ministry: All ministry gifts must operate in unity and submission to God’s divine order. When properly aligned, the Church grows into the fullness and maturity of Christ, functioning as one Body under one Head.

SELF EVALUATION

The Self-Evaluation is designed to serve as a tool for you to examine how you are applying what is taught in the lesson to your own life, and/or to further probe your knowledge of the lesson. Please answer honestly and thoroughly.

1. How has this lesson challenged or reshaped my understanding of where ministry comes from—my own ability or God working in me through the Holy Spirit?

2. As I reflect on my gifting and measure, how willing am I to submit to God’s order and allow Christ to work through me rather than seeking recognition, position, or control?

3. In what ways am I currently participating in the Ministry of Reconciliation, and how does my life reflect God working through me to edify and draw others to Him?

4. What would be your response if you were told you do not truly believe Jesus is the owner of the spiritual gift that is manifested through you?

5. How is your life being used to illustrate the meaning of the Ministry of Reconciliation, based on this lesson?

EXTENDED STUDY & LEARNING RESOURCES

Do your best to complete them, bearing in mind that you can stufy with others as a means of support and encouragement.

The task/s and support resources recommended are intended to be used to help you to study further and walk in light of the principles you have been learning.

TASKS

Demonstration of Order in the Book of Revelation

Task 1: Discovering God’s Government in Acts 2

1. 1. Examine Acts 2 to find examples of how God’s Government operates by: (a) Reading the chapter carefully (b) Looking for verses that show order, leadership, unity, or the work of the Holy Ghost. (c) Completing the table on the following page.

LEARNING RESOURCES

The KJV Bible, The Bible Teacher App