Gifts, Ministries, and Operations of the Holy Spirit!

There is really no other way for the church that Jesus Christ is building to come into operation and function in a city without the power and authority of the Holy Spirit!!! We can ‘build’ our churches, our fellowships, our buildings, our programs, our people. But the church Jesus Christ is “building” will have the keys of the kingdom and will allow Him to be the head of the body, which is His church!  (Matt. 16;13-19; Eph.1:22,23; Col. 1:16-18) 

Heb. 3:1- Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,…
Heb. 3:4- For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.

We have three great examples of the church being established in the book of Acts through the Holy Spirit: 1) The church in Jerusalem- the apostles and elders,and the Seven 2) the church in Antioch- certain prophets and teachers;  Sending forth of Paul and Barnabas into the apostolic, and 3) The church in Ephesus- The 12 elders/overseers…

1) The church in Jerusalem-
Acts 2:1-4- When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddendly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:42-47- And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Acts 6:2-4- Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the HOLY SPIRIT and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; “but we will give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 9:31- Then the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the HOLY SPIRIT, they were multiplied.

Acts 11:22-24- Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as ANTIOCH. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encourage them all that with purpose of heart they should continue in the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the HOLY SPIRIT and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

2) The church in Antioch-
Acts 13:1-4- Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the HOLY SPIRIT SAID, “Now separate (set apart) to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the HOLY SPIRIT, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 13:13,14- Now when Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed to Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.

Acts 13:43,44- Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

Acts 14:25-27- Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 15:32-36- Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. However it seemed good to Silas to remain there. Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.

3) The church in Ephesus:
Acts 19:1-10- And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to EPHESUS. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the HOLY SPIRIT came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

vss. 7-10- NOW THE MEN WERE ABOUT TWELVE IN ALL. And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 20:16,17- For Paul decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

vss. 28-32- “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the HOLY SPIRIT has made you overseers (bishops), to shepherd (feed/pastor) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

“Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

The bottom line: Acts 28:30,31- Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, PREACHING THE KINGDOM of GOD and TEACHING THE THINGS CONCERNING the LORD JESUS CHRIST with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

When the ‘church in the city’ (the region) comes together with apostles and elders, prophets and brethren, saints with the whole church, teachers, pastors and evangelists, then we will see what shall follow after: miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments (administrations), tongues… (Acts 15:4,7,22; I. Co. 12:4-6; 27,28; Ephesians 4:11)

This is comes out of relationships birthed and developed in the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord.  When spiritual fathers and sons relate together, then the gifts and the calling of God can come with strength and balance.  Blessings…

JB