Where do you go in the Bible to find out what the Holy Spirit is doing in the lives of Christian believers?
The book of Ephesians is one of the best places in Scripture to study the acts of the Holy Spirit in the church today. There is a lot of confusion in the church about His ministry. The book of Ephesians with its many references to the Holy Spirit will help clear up much of that confusion.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is practical and clear in its expression. It is down to earth but rich in the heavenly.
Remember this principle; do not base doctrinal teaching upon unclear passages. Always build off of the clear teachings of Scripture. You will find clear teaching and clear application concerning the Holy Spirit in the book of Ephesians.
Read Ephesians through marking each reference to the Holy Spirit. How many references to Him can you find? When you see the word “spirit” not capitalized, it will likely be a reference to the spirit of man. The word “Spirit” capitalized is a reference to the Holy Spirit of God.
After you’ve marked each reference to the Holy Spirit, read the verse or verses over and over again or write them down on a piece of paper for study. Each reference will teach you something special and different about Him.
Ask yourself what He is doing right now in your life. How does the Holy Spirit’s work secure the believer in his relationship to God? Who does the Holy Spirit provide access to? What does He make of us for God? What was His work in relation to the apostles and prophets? What does He endeavor to do in the body of believers?
How many Holy Spirits are there? How do we know that the Holy Spirit is a person? How long are we kept by Him? What is the fruit of the Spirit? How is it manifested? Who does the Holy Spirit want to control? How is His control manifested? What is the evidence of it? What is the Holy Spirit’s sword? How should we pray?
What is His ministry?
The answers to all the above mentioned questions are found in the book of Ephesians and will define His ministry today in the life of the believer and in the body of believers which is the church.