Topical Bible: Holy Spirit: Inspiration of The Disciples

◄ Holy Spirit: Inspiration of The Disciples ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Holy Spirit's role in inspiring the disciples is a central theme in the New Testament, illustrating the transformative power of divine guidance and empowerment in the early Christian community. The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is depicted as the source of wisdom, courage, and revelation, enabling the disciples to fulfill their mission of spreading the Gospel.

Pentecost and the Outpouring of the Spirit

The most significant event marking the inspiration of the disciples by the Holy Spirit is the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2. On this day, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, who were gathered in Jerusalem. Acts 2:2-4 describes the event: "Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of a fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

This moment signifies the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Helper, as He had assured them in John 14:26 : "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you."

Empowerment for Witness

The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to be bold witnesses for Christ. Acts 1:8 records Jesus' words to His disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This empowerment is evident in Peter's transformation from a disciple who denied Christ to a bold preacher who addressed the crowd at Pentecost, leading to the conversion of about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41).

Guidance and Revelation

The Holy Spirit also provided guidance and revelation to the disciples, ensuring the spread of the Gospel according to God's plan. In Acts 13:2 , the Holy Spirit directs the church at Antioch: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" This divine direction was crucial for the missionary journeys that expanded the reach of Christianity.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit revealed truths and mysteries to the apostles, as seen in the council at Jerusalem, where the Spirit guided the decision-making process regarding Gentile believers (Acts 15:28): "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements."

Inspiration for Scripture

The Holy Spirit's inspiration extended to the writing of the New Testament Scriptures. The apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:16 , affirms the divine inspiration of Scripture: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness." The Holy Spirit guided the apostles and other writers in recording the teachings and events of Jesus' life, ensuring the accuracy and authority of the biblical text.

Continued Presence and Work

The Holy Spirit's work did not cease with the early church but continues to inspire and guide believers today. The Spirit's presence is a promise to all who follow Christ, as seen in Romans 8:14 : "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." This ongoing inspiration empowers Christians to live out their faith and bear witness to the truth of the Gospel in every generation.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 6:3
Why, brothers, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 8:29
Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 9:17
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 10:45
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Apostolic Inspiration.
... words of Christ, spoken to His disciples exclusively, to ... in both prophet and apostle
inspiration is that ... extraordinary operation of the Holy Spirit whereby, in ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxi apostolic inspiration.htm

The Necessity of a Continual Inspiration of the Spirit of God...
... praying with and for its continual inspiration, can possibly ... or a kingdom in which
the Holy Spirit of God ... on them, and said, "receive ye the Holy Ghost," yet ...
/.../address 23 0 the necessity of.htm

The Holy Spirit is not a Creature, Seeing that He is Infinite...
... infinite, Who infused Himself into the minds of the disciples throughout the ... For
no blessing can be full except through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii the holy spirit.htm

Inspiration and the Canon
... writers, it is one of which the Holy Spirit is himself ... to exalt the letter above
the spirit of the ... difficulty with the doctrine of plenary inspiration, we may ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter vii inspiration and the.htm

Verbal Inspiration
... to say" (Luke 12:11-12),"the disciples were the ... spake, but it was the Holy Spirit
who "taught ... language express more emphatically the most entire inspiration? ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter thirteen verbal inspiration .htm

The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Ratification of the ...
... He promised to send His disciples another Comforter ... information communicated by the
Holy Spirit Himself, for "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/iii the redeemers return is.htm

Again, Christ, after his Glorification in Heaven, Says, "Behold I ...
... which he celebrated with his disciples, whilst he ... thee, mercifully grant that thy
Holy Spirit may in ... express the necessity of a continual divine inspiration? ...
/.../address 44 0 0 again christ after.htm

'Full of the Holy Ghost'
... remember how at Pentecost 'all' the disciples were 'filled ... that 'this spake he of
the Holy Spirit, which'"Apostles? ... world thinks of a divine inspiration in a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/full of the holy ghost.htm

How we must Understand that Breathing of God by which "The First ...
... pneuma, the usual word for the Holy Spirit, but pnoe ... is sometimes rendered "breath,"
sometimes "spirit," sometimes "inspiration," sometimes "aspiration ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 how we must understand.htm

Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ...
... Our Saviour, attended by His Disciples and followed by a ... Inspiration is not a difference
of degree, but of ... is filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit of God ...
/.../inspiration and interpretation/sermon iii inspiration of scripture gospel.htm