The Operation of the Holy Spirit

How the Holy Spirit works in different circumstances and locations. A comparison of Antioch and Iconium shows that the outworking of the Holy Spirit varies from place to place — miracles are not universal, and the message is always primary.

Two Different Ministries in Acts

The book of Acts records two different approaches to ministry in two different cities:

Antioch (Acts 15:22-35)

Acts 15:30-32 — "So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them."

In Antioch, there was preaching and teaching only — no miracles, no signs, no wonders. Yet the brethren rejoiced and were confirmed in the faith.

Iconium (Acts 14:1-7)

Acts 14:1, 3 — "And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed... Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands."

In Iconium, there was preaching AND miracles — signs and wonders accompanied the proclamation of the word.

Principles of the Spirit's Operation

1. The same success was obtained by both methods

Antioch saw believers rejoicing and confirmed without miracles. Iconium saw a great multitude believe with miracles. The Holy Spirit accomplished His purposes in both locations, using different means.

2. Believers cannot dictate procedures to the Holy Spirit

Because the Holy Spirit permitted miracles in Iconium, it does not follow that there will be miracles everywhere. Because God used tongues and healing in the ancient world, it does not follow that He will use them in the present. The believer cannot compel the Holy Spirit to a type of procedure — such as demanding healings or tongues as proof of His power.

1 Corinthians 12:11 — "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

3. The demand for miracles is tantamount to dictating to God

To insist that the Spirit must work through healings, tongues, or other miraculous signs is to place the believer in opposition to the plan of God. The Spirit works as He wills, not as we demand.

4. The message is always primary — not the miracles

Miracles were always used to focus attention on the message from the word. They were never used as a sign of spirituality or power in themselves.

  • The message — not the miracles — was always the important factor
  • Emphasizing miracles either detracts from the message or obscures it entirely
  • Today, emphasis on miracles, tongues, and healing obscures the issue of God's Word

1 Corinthians 1:22-23 — "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness."

Paul did not cater to the demand for signs. He preached Christ crucified — the message was the power, not the miraculous.

The Believer's Ministry Must Be Related to the Holy Spirit

The ministry of the believer must be empowered by the Holy Spirit — but such a ministry may be communicated by doctrine or verbally, and may or may not contain accompanying supernatural phenomena.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 — "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

The "demonstration of the Spirit" is not always miraculous. Sometimes it is the convicting power of the word itself, applied by the Spirit to the heart.

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit is sovereign in His operations. He worked powerfully in Antioch through preaching alone, and He worked powerfully in Iconium through preaching plus miracles. Believers today must not insist on one method or the other — we must submit to the Spirit's will and focus on the message of Christ, not on demanding miraculous signs.

John 3:8 — "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."