Holy Spirit - Part 21: Working in the Apostles & Prophets

The work of the Holy Spirit in the apostles and the prophets  is a distinct work in which he imparts to both a special gift for a special purpose.

1 Cor 12:4 (and following)

“Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit. To one is given through the Spirit wisdom … to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit … to another gifts of healing, in the one Spirit … to another prophecy … but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit...”.

Exodus 31:1-11 is so clear on this matter when God reveals to Moses that He has called a man named Bezaleel, to lead the work on the Tabernacle, and God says He “... has filled His with the Spirit of God in wisdom … understanding … and knowledge … in craftsmanship”. The Lord provides the gifts necessary at the time necessary to do His will.

Truth that had been hidden for ages was revealed to the apostles and prophets, not by human reasoning but by the Spirit of God.

Eph 3:3-5

“How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery … whereby when ye read, ye may understand … which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, is now revealed unto His holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit”.

There is not one single doctrine taught in the Bible that was discovered by man outside of the teaching of the Spirit. The truths revealed to these original Christians were not from their own thoughts, but imparted upon them by the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:12

“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, … preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost, sent down from Heaven...”.

No word of any prophet was from the prophet's own will but each spoke from God.

2 Peter 1:21

“But the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God  spake, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”.

So when we read and study these words given to us in the awesome gift of our Bible, inspired by God's spoken words to those He ordained to receive them, we are not listening to the voices of men, but we are actually hearing the voice of God.

Jesus Himself set the law of God, as given to Moses, against the traditions of the Pharisees in scripture for us to help us further understand this matter.

Mark 7:13

“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition...”

He expressly says that the law given to Moses was the word of God.

2 Samuel 23:2

“The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue”.

Here David, in his last words reveals that he spoke not his own words but the words of God.

1 Thess 2:13

“ … when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe”.

Here Paul declares that the word which he spoke, taught by the Spirit of God, was the very word of God.