Topical Bible: The Holy Spirit: is God: As Directing where the Gospel should be Preached

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The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, plays a pivotal role in the direction and dissemination of the Gospel message. Throughout the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is depicted as actively guiding the apostles and early Christians in their missionary endeavors, ensuring that the message of salvation reaches those whom God has prepared to receive it.

Acts 8:26-29
In the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, the Holy Spirit's guidance is evident. An angel of the Lord instructs Philip to go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. As Philip obeys, the Spirit further directs him: "The Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over to that chariot and stay by it'" (Acts 8:29). This divine direction leads to the eunuch's conversion and baptism, illustrating the Spirit's role in orchestrating encounters for the spread of the Gospel.

Acts 10:19-20
The Holy Spirit's guidance is also clear in the account of Peter and Cornelius. While Peter is contemplating a vision, the Spirit speaks to him: "While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Behold, three men are looking for you. So get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them'" (Acts 10:19-20). This directive leads to the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles, marking a significant expansion of the early Church's mission.

Acts 13:2-4
The church in Antioch provides another example of the Holy Spirit's role in directing missionary work. As the believers are worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit speaks: "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.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus" (Acts 13:2-4). This passage highlights the Spirit's authority in commissioning and sending out missionaries.

Acts 16:6-10
The Spirit's guidance is further demonstrated in Paul's missionary journeys. As Paul and his companions travel through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they are "kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia" (Acts 16:6). When they attempt to enter Bithynia, "the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them" (Acts 16:7). Instead, Paul receives a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, leading them to conclude that "God had called us to preach the gospel to them" (Acts 16:10). This redirection by the Holy Spirit results in the Gospel reaching Europe.

Conclusion
The Holy Spirit's role in directing where the Gospel should be preached underscores His divine authority and wisdom. Through His guidance, the early Church was able to navigate cultural and geographical boundaries, ensuring that the message of Christ reached diverse populations. The Spirit's active involvement in missionary work continues to be a testament to His deity and His integral role in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 16:6,7,10
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Easter Monday
... to a revelation and to the Holy Spirit's command, as ... herald to prepare his way by
directing and leading the ... the peace proclamation commanded of God; in other ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter monday.htm

The Christian's God
... as saying "I" (Exodus 20:2; 3:14) and as directing all things. ... 2). The early Church
felt the presence of that mighty indwelling Holy Spirit. ... As God Himself had ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ii the christians god.htm

Laymen Called to the Field of Missions.
... all the nations round about, the Holy Ghost was ... and prayer, would possess a spirit
so selfish and ... the instrumentality which, according to God's usual providence ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter v laymen called to.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... and grasp the Spirit through dreams, directing the people ... We ought joyfully to thank
God for it when ... it gives us assurance that the Holy Spirit accompanies it ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

A Seeker for Truth
... Then, directing that the weeping friends be sent from ... Through the power of the Holy
Spirit many will accept ... become agencies in the hand of God to communicate ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 14 a seeker for.htm

V. ...
... faith, the Spirit is absent; but where the Spirit is absent ... it, and turn themselves
away from the holy command that ... But if you will be pious, pray God that he ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

The Holy Ghost --The Great Teacher
... Thus the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, by suggesting ideas, by directing
our thoughts, and by illuminating ... Beloved, God the Holy Spirit can teach ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the holy ghostthe great teacher.htm

The Covenant Promise of the Spirit
... I wish Christian people oftener inquired of the Holy Ghost as to guidance in their
daily life. Know ye not that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the covenant promise of the.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... To depreciate the power of the Holy Spirit, they defamed ... The spirit of blasphemy,
therefore, is, when a man ... It is not strange that God should be implacable to ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm

Sunday after Ascension Day
... who he is, how righteous, how holy, how worthy ... sanctifies and preserves it through
his Word and his Spirit. ... we ought to thank and praise God, directing all our ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after ascension day.htm