NATIONAL HOLY SPIRIT CONFERENCE
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE SAINT IN MINISTRY
THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE POWER OF THE NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY
September 1982
LECTURE 1

SYNOPSIS
This lecture guides the saint, revealing the Holy Spirit as their sole director and power,
enabling a genuine, love-driven New Testament ministry.

PREAMBLE
The National Holy Spirit Confab was conceived as a Teaching and Demonstration Ministry
to promote knowledge on the Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the church and to
help spread deepening knowledgeable walk and ministry with the Holy Spirit. of course,
we had another objective, the spread of the Pentecostal movement in the entire church,
to bring revival and unity, so the church can truly walk in the unity of the faith. It is only
then we can guard against heresies and expose the lies of the spiritist and occultists, the
false prophets and teachers and their lying systems in the church scene, and save our
people from false religious, and false hopes of salvation.
In the previous years, we surveyed the Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Power
Basis of Christian service, the nature and operations of the Five-Fold Ministry. Last year,
we considered the three-fold manifestations of the Divine in the believer and Ministry of
the Church – FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE. Faith, hope and love constitute the basic and
fundamental characteristics of the Divine Nature we receive in Christ when we are born
again.
Surely, every human being has faith, hope and love, which is the natural attribute of the
breadth of life that made the lump of clay a living soul. Adam named the animals and
creation by this faith. But it is with these same attributes that we can see or measure the
imperfection, fallen and depraved nature of the human spirit. Accordingly, it is in the
realm of faith, hope and love that we can fully appreciate our generation, as we grow and
mature up in the nature and attribute of God in Christ. As we grow into the fullness of God.
As we learnt this morning, The Holy Spirit was at creation and has been very active in the
works of God on earth, participating in the revelation of God to man. The Holy Spirit has
been instrumental in the revelation of God to Israel; from Abraham, Jacob, Joseph unto
Moses and Aaron. That is to say, the Holy Spirit was very active in Old Testament Ministry,
the Aaronic priesthood, the judges and Kings, the prophets and seers. He is the writer of
the scriptures; Holy men wrote at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The book of Revelation
indicates that the Holy Spirit shall continue to work the works of God, till the end of time.
He shall be a partner to the church in welcoming Jesus Christ at His Second Coming “And
the Spirit and the Bride say Come and the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that
heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the
water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17).
From Genesis to Revelation, we see the Holy Spirit very active. What then constitutes the
unique ministry or difference in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament to
warrant our discussion:
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY.
In the first place, is there any difference between Old Testament ministry and New
Testament ministry? If so, does the Holy Spirit operate differently in Old Testament
ministry as distinct from New Testament ministry? Our discussion will attempt to answer
these questions and to show the specific areas of the unique Holy Spirit in and with the
New Testament church vis-à-vis the Old Testament Israel.
The New Testament Ministry can simply be explained as the Ministry of the New
Testament Church. It covers the whole subject of the New Covenant established with the
bloodshed at Calvary as distinct from the Old Covenant established with Abraham, but
which ministry was essentially established under the Aaronic priesthood under the
Mosaic system.
THE OLD COVENANT MINISTRY
The Old Covenant had two important features. The Abrahamic Covenant which
established citizenship of the Commonwealth of Israel through faith and physical
circumcision and the Mosaic Covenant which established the covenant and ministry by
sanctification with blood and anointing with oil. The Holy Spirit essentially came upon the
priest/prophet by the anointing of oil. But the priesthood was marked with the wearing of
the ephod through which the priest enquired of the Lord. Aaron (Exodus 28: 4: -35,
Samuel 2: 18) and David (2nd Samuel 6: 14) wore the ephod as the contact point with the
Holy Spirit.
Thus, in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came only upon the priest and the prophets
and judges/kings, especially chosen people set apart for ministry. The rest of the
population did not enjoy the privilege of Holy Spirit contact and anointing.
Essentially, the Holy Spirit came upon the chosen vessels through contact with the
ephod, the anointing oil, or the laying on of hands of an anointed person. There was
always a physical contact point or medium of transfer of power. Moses laid hands and
anointed with oil. Samuel anointed Saul and David before the Spirit of prophecy came
upon them. Elisha got his anointing through Elijah’s garment. But there were exception to
this rule, where the Holy Spirit came upon the chosen vessels directly without an
intermediary. For example, it seems Samson was filled with the Holy Spirit from his
mother’s womb. Nevertheless, we are told in Judges 13:25 that it was after his birth that
the Holy Spirit began to move upon him. There was the physical or carnal point of his hair;
yet there was no anointing with oil as such. Such was the call of Samuel and the Major
Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zachariah and Daniel. The Holy Spirit came
upon them directly and moved them mostly only at times of ministry.
THE NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY
The New Testament ministry operates on a different basis altogether. First, as we know,
the New Testament ministry opens with the New Birth, in which the Holy Spirit not only
comes into the believer to make him a child of God and member of the Commonwealth
of Israel as under the Abrahamic Covenant. He plays an essential part in sanctification
for series through the application of the WORD, the BLOOD and the SEAL, as under the
Mosaic Covenant. (Rom. 4: 1-17; 3: 29; Gal. 3: 10-14; Eph. 1: 13; Heb. 10: 14-21).
That is to say, the New Covenant is established first by the New Birth (Heb. 8: 10-12; John.
1: 12-13), and second by the blood of sanctification offered once and for all by Christ at
Calvary (Matt. 26: 27-28; Heb. 9: 12-25).
The New Covenant has thereby done away with Mosaic/Aaronic ministry establishing a
new priesthood after Christ in the order of Melchisedek. Under this system, the
priesthood of all saints covenanted under the Mosaic system, but given expression
mainly through Aaron and the Levites, becomes a reality (Exod. 19:5-6; 1st Pet. 2:9). In the
Mosaic system, the priesthood was hereditary, High Priest in Aaron line, the Levites only
for priesthood, but now it is open to all, everyone being a child of God and priest in Christ.
That is to say, everyone has opportunity not only for selection for ministry but also access
to Holy Spirit anointing for service.
BASIC FEATURES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY
1. JESUS CHRIST IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH and CHIEF MINISTER OF THE
MINISTRY – Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church to whom all are connected
by the New Birth. He is the High Priest and only Mediator (Heb. 8:1-2, 6; 9:15). He
is the Chief Minister or Chief Shepherd (1st Pet. 5:4) to whom all must account. His
direct representative in and superintendent for the operations of the Church and
the Holy Nation of God’s People in the Holy Spirit.
2. THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL SAINTS (1st Pet. 2:5,9; Matt. 5:13-18; Rev. 1:5-6)
• All are called – Eph. 1:3-5
• All can be chosen – 2
nd Tim. 2:2, 20-21
• All can minister – 1
st Cor. 14:26; 12:13-14
3. NO MORE SACRIFICES
Heb. 10:5-14, 19-24 requiring priesthood intermediaries as such. Jesus Christ is
the High Priest and Mediator as well as the sacrificial lamb. All have direct access
to Him and through the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit to the Throne of Grace.
4. THERE IS ONE BODY – THE CHURCH and THE UNITY OF THE FAITH
(1ct Cor. 12:12-14, 20-27; Rom. 12:5; Eph. 4:12-16). There is One Body as there is
One Nation Israel. There is wide range of ministries in the Body, but each is an
integral part and essential for the effectual working or ministry of the Body.
5. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH IS UNDER THE DIRECT CONTROL of Jesus
Christ who has appointed and assigned tasks to specially chosen people for its
government (Eph. 4:8, 11-12; Acts 20:28)
6. THE HOLY SPIRIT and NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY
This brings us finally to the main topic of discussion – The Holy Spirit and New
Testament Ministry. The critical thing about the New Testament Ministry is that:
a. The Church or Ministry is under or expected to be under the direct control
of Jesus Christ as Head and Chief Minister. It follows that there is need for
some special relationship or communication between the saint in ministry
with Jesus Christ as head.
b. This relationship or communication line is possible and can be kept open
and effective only through the Holy Spirit, who also is the direct
representative of Jesus Christ in the Church (John 14:12-20; 15:26-27;
16:13-14), Consider Acts 13:2-3; 20:28
That is to say, the New Testament Ministry has three main personalities involved:
a. The Lord Jesus Christ as head of the Church and one with the Father
b. The Holy Spirit as General Superintendent or Director-General – Head of
Administration as well as operation (1st Cor. 12:4-7; John 13-14)
c. The Minister or individual saint(s) in ministry. Among these three representatives,
the most active and critical functionary is the Holy Spirit. It is He who receives
from the Father and Son whatever need to be done and declares it to the Church
(John 16:12-14). It is He who grants or administers and supervises the operation
of the supernatural power required by the Minister for the assignments (1st Cor.
12:1-11). It is He who ultimately controls the whole operation to ensure that they
are in harmony with and fulfill the expectations of the Father and the Son. Hence,
He can speak confidently, “separate Me Barnabas and Paul… and the Apostles,
the Elders and entire Church in Jerusalem could say in Acts 15:28…” for it seemed
good to the Holy Spirit and to us…”, when directing on doctrine and practice in the
Church.
From the ongoing, it can be stated that there can be no effective Church without the Holy
Spirit. In other words, there is no New Testament Ministry or Church without the Holy
Spirit. To operate otherwise, is to be away from the New Testament Ministry or Church.
A Church without the Holy Spirit in Ministry is a dead Church. It is not a New Testament
Church.
Now, the New Testament ministry is comprised mainly of three things – Preaching,
Teaching and Ministering where ministering stands for all activities in the church other
than preaching and teaching – such as singing, prophecy, healing, prayer, serving, helps,
government, etc., Each of these requires not only the administration and direction of the
Holy Spirit. There is need for special anointing for each ministry and occasion. Peter’s
sermon on the Day of Pentecost was Holy Spirit inspired and directed. So also, the
sermon in Cornelius house and Stephen’s defence sermon.
It is for this reason; Jesus told the disciples not to embark upon their mission until they
were endured with power by the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches that Jesus Himself did not
embark upon His Ministry until He was fully anointed by the Holy Spirit (Math. 3:16-17;
4:2). He was given the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34). Thus, He could say
emphatically, John 12:48-50; 14:10-11, Paul said, 1st Cor. 2:4-7, 10, 13-14; 2nd Pet. 1:19-
21
It is the Holy Spirit that moves and must move you in ministry. Some may argue that now
that the Word is available in written form, we do not need the Holy Spirit anointing,
direction or revelation, perhaps supporting such with 1stCor. 13:8-10. But the truth is that
our knowledge and wisdom is very imperfect, even with the written Word, we have
problems and differences in interpretation. There cannot be true and genuine New
Testament Ministry, not a mechanical/ritualistic ministry, without the LOVE, inspiration,
anointing and control or direction from the Holy Spirit.
In short, the New Testament Ministry is the Holy Spirit in action with the saints in the
church and in the world. The New Testament Ministry opened with John the Baptist who
was filled with the Holy Spirit from the mother’s womb. There was of course the sweet
change over from man, Holy Spirit and angelic ministry characteristics of the Old
Testament days with Mary, Elizabeth, Zachariah, Simeon and Hannah. But as soon as
John the Baptist came on the scene and Jesus took over, the direct ministry of angels
ceased. The main reason as Jesus puts it is that the Holy Spirit comes and stays with the
believer, such that the ministry of angels as communication channels or messages
bearers becomes no more necessary. That is to say, angels as carriers of message from
God to Man are rendered unnecessary or inapplicable as soon as the Holy Spirit comes
on the scene. (Does your church still believe in angels for messages or direction in
ministry? Cornelius needed angels when the Holy Spirit had not come… The angels of
Jesus explained the end of things to John (Revelation) when he was in the spirit. Angels
continue as ministering spirits, but it is the Holy Spirit who delivers messages and directs
the service of God.
The beauty is that when the Holy Spirit is in action, He does not exalt Himself. He does
not speak of Himself “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into
all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He
speak, and He will shew you things to come”. (John 16:13 KJV). Thus, Jesus walks with
the Holy Spirit but always talks of the Father. We work with the Holy Spirit, but we testify
of Jesus Christ and glorify the Son and the Father. Jesus told the disciples, “Nevertheless
I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter
will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7 KJV). Whilst
He is in the flesh, the Holy Spirit is with Him in ministry. He will be free to manifest Himself
and accompany the Church in ministry when He Jesus hands over to the Church (John
14:16-20).
This was fulfilled on Pentecost Day. Since then, the Holy Spirit has come upon and abide
with the church. Thus, there cannot be true New Testament Ministry outside or without
the Holy Spirit. The Acts of the apostles is often described as the Act of the Holy Spirit.
But both Paul and Peter admit that the Holy Spirit is the author of the epistles and for that
matter the apocalypse. John says………….” I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” It is the
Holy Spirit that took him to the presence of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega.
The Holy Spirit is the Person or Spirit in Action in the New Testament – from the Ministry
of John the Baptist to Jesus Christ, from the Apostles to this day in the true church. His
manifestation varies according to ministry, faith and occasion. Suffice to say here that
each calling ministry and occasion demands specific operation, specific gifts or spirits
or supernatural graces or anointing from and by the Holy Spirit. Hence, Paul gives
information in 1st Cor. 12 on the main gifts or spirits that can be found in operation in New
Testament ministry – wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy,
discernment, tongues, and interpretation.
The operation of these spirits helps to assist or endue the men called into ministry and
the entire church to operate in supernatural realms. (is your church operating in the
supernatural or in strength and wisdom, knowledge and spirit of men or the spirit of the
world) As a minister of the Gospel – Preacher, Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist, Deacon, Elder,
Singer, Administrator, Builder – are you operating in the power of your mind, human
understanding and human strength or under the anointing and direction of the Holy
Spirit? Are you in the New Testament Ministry or Old Testament or indeed Satanic or
Occult Ministry?
Finally, the Bible teaches us that the undergirding spirit in the Holy Spirit or New
Testament Ministry is Love. As we learnt at last year’s Conference, the Basic and main
manifestation of the Divine in the church or in the life of the Saint is FAITH, HOPE AND
LOVE. The Holy Spirit has directed Jesus, Paul and John to teach that of three or all the
essentials in the New Birth in the Walk with God, in Christian witness, LOVE is the greatest
evidence or fruit of the Divine of the Holy Spirit in and upon us, and in ministry. Love is the
spirit and fruit of the divine. For God is Love.
In summation, The New Testament Ministry is the Holy Spirit in Action or Ministry. A
church or minister or saint is in the New Testament Ministry when the Holy Spirit is the
activator and director. The Holy Spirit and New Testament Ministry implies operation in
the supernatural in ministry, the seal or essential credential of the Love And Power of
God, in ministry it is the proof of or necessary condition for the presence of Jesus Christ
and the Father in ministry and life of the saint and church; it is the guaranteed of New
Birth, Righteousness, Walking, Worshipping and Serving in Spirit and Truth, and ministry
with lasting, eternal God-pleasing effect. There can be no New Birth, no New Testament
church or ministry, outside the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit and Presence of God the Father
and Jesus Christ the Son, Head, Master and Chief Minister in New Testament Ministry.