This week we will be discussing about the role of the Holy Spirit in Witnessing. Does it related to witnessing? And How it works? Let's see the following sub topics as we deal with this SSLesson this week, How the Holy Spirit make witnessing effective? A. He Prepares the Witness, B. He Produces Growth, C. He Strengthens and Guides, D. He Gives the Word, E. He Transforms.

Memory Verse:

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. {Acts 4:31)

Prayer Thought:

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Matt. 28:19.

"This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is Truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are One." 1 John 5:6, 7.

When we are baptized in the name (singular, not "names") of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we are baptized in our Maker, the blood, and the Truth, and these three are One. Thus we are baptized in the "name," not names, because these three are one -- The Trinity -- Creation, Redemption, Truth.

Most people, though, act as if they were baptized to the church, to a society, to Paul or to Apollos, so to speak, but we as reformers and Present Truth believers, must go on with the Truth wherever it leads us, always remembering that we have been baptized to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. {2TG 19.16}

A. The Holy Spirit Prepares the Witness

1. Manifest Working of the Holy Spirit

Just before He left them, Christ gave His disciples the promise, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." While these words were upon His lips, He ascended, a cloud of angels received Him, and escorted Him to the City of God. The disciples returned to Jerusalem, knowing now for a certainty that Jesus was the Son of God. Their faith was unclouded, and they waited, preparing themselves by prayer and by humbling their hearts before God, until the baptism of the Holy Spirit came. {TM 65.1}

2. The Holy Spirit is Waiting for Channels to Work

Labor in perseverance, in tenderness, compassion, prayerfulness, and love will do more than sermons. The Lord Jesus, in giving His life for the saving of the world from the curse of sin, intended greater things than our eyes have yet witnessed. The Holy Spirit is waiting for channels through whom to work. . . . Satan will not always triumph. The Spirit of God will be poured out upon the church just as soon as the vessels are prepared to receive it. {TMK 330.5}

3. The Holy Spirit to be his Counselor, Sanctifier, Guide, and Witness

I wish to impress upon you the fact that those who have Jesus abiding in the heart by faith, have actually received the Holy Spirit. Every individual who receives Jesus as his personal Saviour, just as surely receives the Holy Spirit to be his Counselor, Sanctifier, Guide, and Witness. The more closely the believer walks with God, the clearer his witness, and, as a sure result, the more powerful will be the influence of his testimony upon others of a Saviour's love; the more he will give evidence that he prizes the Word of God. It is his meat, it is his drink, to satisfy the thirsty soul. He prizes the privilege of learning the will of God from His Word. {14MR 71.1}

Points to Ponder:

• Before His ascension, Jesus promised that a Helper (parakletos) would come: The Holy Spirit. He would help us to carry out the mission Jesus commended us to do.

• What does the Holy Spirit do?

a. He walks with us,

b. He prepares us to bear witness,

c. He leads us in our tasks,

d. He opens the hearts to the Gospel,

e. He gives us the right words, f. He convinces people,

g. He encourages us to testify, h. He shows us the right opportunities,

i. He reveals Jesus,

j. He transforms us to His image.

• Witnessing is to collaborate with the Holy Spirit.

B. The Holy Spirit Produces Growth

1. Life-giving Power of the Holy Spirit

There are today many as ignorant of the Holy Spirit's work upon the heart as were those believers in Ephesus; yet no truth is more clearly taught in the word of God. Prophets and apostles have dwelt upon this theme. Christ Himself calls our attention to the growth of the vegetable world as an illustration of the agency of His Spirit in sustaining spiritual life. The sap of the vine, ascending from the root, is diffused to the branches, sustaining growth and producing blossoms and fruit. So the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Saviour, pervades the soul, renews the motives and affections, and brings even the thoughts into obedience to the will of God, enabling the receiver to bear the precious fruit of holy deeds. {AA 284.1}

2. The Author of Spiritual Life is Unseen

The Author of this spiritual life is unseen, and the exact method by which that life is imparted and sustained, is beyond the power of human philosophy to explain. Yet the operations of the Spirit are always in harmony with the written Word. As in the natural, so in the spiritual world. The natural life is preserved moment by moment by divine power; yet it is not sustained by a direct miracle, but through the use of blessings placed within our reach. So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those means that Providence has supplied. If the follower of Christ would grow up "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13), he must eat of the bread of life, and drink of the water of salvation.--Review and Herald, Aug. 31, 1911. {TDG 252.4}

3. Life-giving Power of the Holy Spirit, proceeding from Christ

The juices of the vine, ascending from the root, are diffused to the branches, sustaining growth and producing blossoms and fruit. So the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, proceeding from Christ, and imparted to every disciple, pervades the soul, renews the motives and affections and even the most secret thoughts, and brings forth the precious fruit of holy deeds.--Sketches from the Life of Paul, p. 131. {HL 300.3}

Let's consider some points:

• The Acts of the Apostles tells the work of the Holy Spirit through those who let Him work in their lives.

• On occasion, there were mass conversions, like 3,000 or 5,000 people (Acts 2:41; 4:4). Whole families were converted sometimes (10:44-48).

• New local churches were founded continuously because of this growth (16:5).

• The Spirit filled the messengers with power and touched every heart that heard about the Gospel.

• Every person is important to God. He died for each and every one. He wants everyone to know about Him and accept Him. He has chosen us to do this work.

C. The Holy Spirit Strengthens and Guides

1. The Holy Spirit as Helper and Comforter

They are filled with gratitude to God for the blessings they have received; their hearts are quickened by love, and their energies are strengthened to lift up others who can never rise without help. Taking the Bible as their guide and the Holy Spirit as their helper and comforter, they find a new career opening before them. Every one of these souls that is added to the force of workers, provided with facilities and instruction as to how to save souls for Christ, becomes a colaborer with those who brought him the light of truth. Thus God is honored and His truth advanced. {6T 260.2}

2. The Holy Spirit will Help those who seek the Lord

Unite with your companion in searching the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit will help those who seek the Lord in order to know how to do His work. While you seek to obtain perfection of Christian character, be helpers wherever you are. Praise the Lord at all times. Look on the bright side of circumstances, not on the dark side. Be watchful and prayerful, and the Lord will bless and guide and strengthen you. See how much you can do to bless others. {TDG 234.3}

3. His Spirit will seal and Strengthened us to fight

God gave us a precious experience in those days. When brought in close conflict with the powers of darkness, as we frequently were, we laid the whole matter before the mighty Helper. Again and again we prayed for strength and wisdom. We would not yield the point; we felt that help must come. And through faith in God, the enemy's artillery was turned against himself, glorious victories were gained to the cause of truth, and we were made to realize that God gave not His Spirit by measure unto us. Had it not been for these special evidences of God's love, had He not thus, by the manifestation of His Spirit, set His seal to the truth, we might have become discouraged; but these proofs of divine guidance, these living experiences in the things of God, strengthened us to fight manfully the battles of the Lord. The believing ones could more clearly discern how God had mapped out their course, guiding them amid trials, disappointments, and fierce conflicts. They grew stronger as they met and overcame obstacles, and gained a rich experience at every step they advanced. {CET 80.4}

The Clear Points to Understand are:

• Preaching the Gospel is not a problem-free task. However, the Spirit strengthens His servants as He did with Stephen, and Paul and Silas (Acts 7:55; 16:25).

• The Holy Spirit longs to empower us, strengthen us, teach us, guide us, unify us, and send us out on the most important mission in the world, which is leading men and women to Jesus and His truth.

D. The Holy Spirit Gives the Word

1. The Holy Spirit Planted the Truth into the Heart

These are the riches that Christ earnestly longs that His followers shall possess. As the true seeker after the truth reads the Word and opens his mind to receive the Word, he longs after truth with his whole heart. The love, the pity, the tenderness, the courtesy, the Christian politeness, which will be the elements in the heavenly mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him, take possession of his soul. His purpose is steadfast. He is determined to stand on the side of righteousness. Truth has found its way into the heart, and is planted there by the Holy Spirit, who is the truth. When truth takes hold of the heart, the man gives sure evidence of this by becoming a steward of the grace of Christ. {AG 61.4} Each steward has his own special work to do for the advancement of God's kingdom. . . . The talents of speech, memory, influence, property, are to accumulate for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. He will bless the right use of His gifts. {AG 61.5}

2. The Holy Spirit Led the Life of the Righteous

If, as laborers in the cause of God, you feel that you have borne greater cares and trials than have fallen to the lot of others, remember that for you there is a peace unknown to those who shun these burdens. But do not force your trials upon others; do not groan over them. There is comfort and joy in the service of Christ. The Christian gives the Lord his entire affections, but he takes as well as gives; and his language is not that of a murmurer or a constant backslider. He makes no effort to appear righteous, but his life shows that he is led by the Holy Spirit. He can speak with assurance of his hope in Christ; for has he not the promise of God? If he has complied with the conditions upon which these promises are based, God's word is pledged that he will do for him more than he asks. {GW92 423.3}

3. The Word is Written in the Heart -Applied by the Holy Spirit

It is not the mere letter of the words which gives the light and the understanding, but the Word is in a special manner written upon the heart, applied by the Holy Spirit. To the mind and heart consecrated to God, an increased measure of understanding is given as the light is communicated to others. . . . {HP 139.3}

4. Personal Benefits of God's Word under the Working of the Holy Spirit

The more room one shall give for the entrance of the Word of God, the more he is enriched intellectually as well as spiritually. He will have a clearer and less biased judgment and his views will be more comprehensive. His estimates of spiritual things will be more correct. His understanding, under the working power of the Holy Spirit, is exercised to digest the truth by making it a personal benefit by the strengthening of the soul to do self-denying works. {HP 139.4}

In Other Words:

• The Spirit encourages us to base our testimony in the Word of God.

• The Word of God has power to change lives because the Holy Spirit inspired its authors. The same Holy Spirit is touching the heart of every sincere reader today.

E. The Holy Spirit Transforms

1. The Holy Spirit Breaks the Power of Satan's Attractions and Temptations

Christ's words are to a purpose, to lead men to will and to do. They are an impelling power, causing men to resolve and to act. But none are forced against their will. God's grace will not supply the place of man's co-operation. No amount of light, conviction, or grace can transform the character, only as man shall arouse to co-operate with God. The Holy Spirit puts forth its energies to break the power of Satan's attractions and temptations upon the human mind; but the will must yield, human co-operation must be enlisted, for this is the indispensable condition of salvation. {ST, December 28, 1891 par. 1}

2. The Holy Spirit enlightens, renews, and sanctifies the soul.

Angels behold with inexpressible rapture the results of the working of the Holy Spirit in man. By the revelation of the attractive loveliness of Christ, by the knowledge of his love expressed to us while we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart is melted and subdued, and the sinner is transformed and becomes a child of God. Love is the agency which God uses to expel sin from the human soul. By it he changes pride into humility, enmity and unbelief into love and faith. He does not employ compulsory measures; Jesus is revealed to the soul, and if man will look in faith to the Lamb of God, he will live. {ST, June 9, 1890 par. 10}

3. Through the Agency of the Holy Spirit, the Character is Transformed

Faith works by love, and purifies the soul, expelling the love of sin that leads to rebellion against, and transgression of, the law of God. This true love in the heart always leads its possessor into harmony with the commandments of God; for through the agency of the Holy Spirit, the character is transformed, and the mind and will of the human agent are brought into perfect conformity to the divine will, and this is conformity to the divine standard of righteousness. To those who are thus transformed, Christ will say, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Mrs. E. G. White. {YI, February 17, 1898 par. 4}

4. Transformed by the Holy Spirit, Life and Character isn't fashioned and Mould in Lies and False Theory

It will be more difficult to mould and reshape a church that has been so fashioned, than to go forth and preach in regions beyond; for those who have accepted a theory of the truth have not been transformed by the Holy Spirit. God's workmen must not follow after the world's practices and customs in the least. Any course that the minister shall pursue that will lead the people to look to him and depend upon him, is not after the working of the Holy Spirit. The pure word of God alone must be preached to the people in clear lines, and its convincing, controlling power on heart and life will alone transform the character and save the soul. "The word of the Lord endureth forever." "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." The "simple" here mentioned are not those who are devoid of reasoning powers, but those who are not puffed up with self-conceit. The simple are those who are emptied of self, and in whom the vacuum has been supplied by the Holy Spirit, which brings every power of body and soul into subjection, and moulds and fashions the character after the divine pattern. {BEcho, May 21, 1894 par. 4}

Therefore, the Spirit of Truth declares that:

• The Holy Spirit uses people as they are. He breaks prejudices down, transforms their bad habits, and fills them with Christ’s grace and truth.

• He makes no distinction between men or women, rich or poor, cultured or uncultured.

• He is as powerful today as He was then. He still works miracles by transforming all kinds of people.

• Our work is not to change or convert people, that’s the Holy Spirit’s. We’ve been called to be witnesses.

From the Pen of Inspiration:

“We are to bear as definite a testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus, as did Christ and His apostles. Trusting in the efficiency of the Holy Spirit, we are to testify of the mercy, goodness, and love of a crucified and risen Saviour, and thus be agents through whom the darkness will be dispelled from many minds, and cause thanksgiving and praise to ascend from many hearts to God. There is a great work to be done by every son and daughter of God.” {1SM 263}