Topical Bible: Power of the Holy Spirit: Christ Commenced his Ministry In

Bible > Topical > Power of the Holy Spirit

◄ Power of the Holy Spirit: Christ Commenced his Ministry In ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

The commencement of Jesus Christ's ministry is a pivotal moment in the New Testament, marked by the profound presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This event underscores the divine authority and spiritual empowerment that characterized Jesus' earthly mission.

Baptism and Anointing by the Holy Spirit

The initiation of Christ's public ministry is closely associated with His baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. This event is recorded in all four Gospels, highlighting its significance. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is written: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him" (Matthew 3:16). This descent of the Holy Spirit signifies the anointing of Jesus, setting Him apart for His messianic mission.

Empowerment for Ministry

The Holy Spirit's empowerment is evident as Jesus begins His ministry. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus, "full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness" (Luke 4:1). This leading of the Spirit into the wilderness for a period of fasting and temptation by Satan demonstrates the Spirit's role in preparing and strengthening Jesus for the challenges of His ministry.

After overcoming temptation, Jesus returns to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14). This phrase indicates that His ministry is not conducted in human strength alone but is divinely empowered. The Holy Spirit's presence is crucial for the miracles, teachings, and authority that Jesus exhibits throughout His ministry.

Proclamation of the Fulfillment of Scripture

In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus explicitly acknowledges the Spirit's anointing as He reads from the scroll of Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor" (Luke 4:18-19). This declaration affirms that His ministry is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring salvation and healing.

Miracles and Teachings

Throughout His ministry, the power of the Holy Spirit is manifest in the miracles Jesus performs and the authority of His teachings. The Gospels recount numerous instances where Jesus heals the sick, casts out demons, and performs other miraculous signs, all of which are attributed to the Spirit's power working through Him. For example, in Matthew 12:28, Jesus states, "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" . This statement highlights the Spirit's role in demonstrating the inbreaking of God's kingdom through Jesus' works.

Conclusion

The power of the Holy Spirit is integral to the commencement and continuation of Jesus Christ's ministry. From His baptism and anointing to His teachings and miracles, the Holy Spirit empowers and authenticates Jesus' mission as the Messiah. This divine empowerment not only fulfills Old Testament prophecies but also establishes the foundation for the transformative work of the Spirit in the lives of believers.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 4:14
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Birth and Early Life of John the Baptist.
... a horn [the horn is a symbol of power"Daniel 7 ... towards our fathers, And to remember
his holy covenant [contract ... child grew, and waxed strong in spirit [I. Sam ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/viii the birth and early.htm

No Alterations of Christ's Plan.
... is true, there is such a thing as a holy enthusiasm for ... This was the spirit which
passed over from him to the ... of God in a mere outward way by miraculous power. ...
/.../section 51 no alterations of.htm

The Work of the Holy Spirit
... in right earnest to look to Jesus Christ the Saviour. ... It needs the fullness of the
power of God's ... sinner hath thus believed, then the Holy Spirit bringeth all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the work of the holy.htm

Christ's People --Imitators of Him
... you head upwards towards the sky, and your eyes radiant with glory, like the imitation
of Jesus Christ. It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs peopleimitators of him.htm

The Three Witnesses
... By the power of the Holy Spirit our Lord's humanity was ... shall come upon thee, and
the power of the ... shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the three witnesses.htm

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
... books, without anything, God has it in his power to convert ... Remember, the Holy Spirit
will not come to us as a ... In dependence on his Spirit, if we only meet for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the outpouring of the holy.htm

The First Per??an Discourses - to the Pharisees Concerning the Two ...
... he trusted') by taking away the power of sin. ... not by merely speaking against the
Christ, which might ... opposition to, and denunciation of, the Holy Spirit as if ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first peraean.htm

"Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?"
... If the ministry be in the power of his Spirit, let it take what shape ... Let us not,
therefore, speak of the Holy Ghost as tied to any set of ... Is the Spirit of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/is the spirit of the.htm

Letter viii. Public and Social Worship, and Sabbath Employments.
... end may be accomplished, it is necessary that the Holy Spirit should apply ... in the
gospel, until their dispositions are changed by the power of the Holy Ghost ...
/.../letter viii public and social.htm

Things which are Characteristic of Mark.
... In Mark's Gospel, the hand of Christ is frequently ... too, had discovered the blessedness
and power of His ... 7. The Holy Spirit has also called special attention in ...
/.../pink/why four gospels/ii things which are characteristic.htm