Spirit Guidance and Ministry Types

 

Spirit Guidance and Ministry Types

2 Kings 2:9 - "And Elisha said, Let there be a double portion of your spirit upon me"

Acts 16:6-7 - "And they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia... they tried to go into Bithynia, yet the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them"

Gal. 2:20 - "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me"

2 Cor. 3:17-18 - "And the Lord is the Spirit... are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit"

Core Principle: "What kind of work we do for the Lord depends on what kind of Spirit guides, directs, teaches, and constitutes us"

Analysis Item	Old Testament Spirit	New Testament Spirit
Type of Spirit	Spirit of God, Spirit of Jehovah	Holy Spirit and Spirit of Jesus (All-inclusive Spirit)
Meaning & Nature	• Manifestation of God's power and authority • Simple divine work • Guidance in the age of law • External anointing and moving	• Complete manifestation of the Triune God • All-inclusive Spirit of life • Internal constitution in the age of grace • Permanent indwelling and transformation
Origin & Background	• God's working method in the age of law • Preparatory revelation • Limited divine experience • Transitional period before Christ's coming	• Complete revelation after incarnation • Completion of Christ's redemptive work • Dispensing of Triune God's life • Full supply in the church age
Essential Distinction	Power-oriented	Life-oriented
	• Emphasis on external power manifestation • Temporary moving • Functional anointing • Can depart from people	• Emphasis on internal life constitution • Permanent indwelling • Existential transformation • Dwells in people forever
Representative Examples	Elijah	Apostle Paul
	• Called down fire for judgment (1 Kings 18:38) • Performed miracles and signs • Manifestation of power • Unable to preach Jesus Christ	• Preached Christ (1 Cor. 2:2) • Supply of life • Built up the church • Completely transmitted the Triune God
Specific Content of Spirit	Spirit of God, Spirit of Jehovah • Power of God • Majesty of Jehovah • Spirit of judgment • Executing power of law	Holy Spirit includes: • The Lord's incarnation • The Lord's birth Spirit of Jesus includes: • The Lord's humanity • Human living • All-inclusive death • Life-dispensing resurrection • Ascension and glorification
Ministry Characteristics	• Execution and maintenance of law • Work of judgment and punishment • Display of supernatural power • Typical ministry • Temporary effects	• Preaching and testimony of gospel • Building up and perfecting of life • Ministry of love and grace • Practical constituting work • Eternal building effects
Related Core Scriptures	1 Kings 18:38 - "Then the fire of Jehovah fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench" 1 Sam. 16:14 - "And the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him"	Rom. 8:9 - "But you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not of Him" Phil. 1:19 - "For I know that for me this will turn out to salvation through your petition and the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ"
Constitution & Transformation Scriptures	Ezek. 36:26 – "I will also give you a new heart,  and I will put a new spirit within you" (Typical promise)	Eph. 3:16-17 - "That He would grant you... to be strengthened with power through His Spirit into the inner man, that Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith"
Present Application Limitations	With only Old Testament Spirit: • Only power without life • Lacking Christ's human experience • Unable to truly preach Jesus • Work lacks eternal value • Tendency toward legalism • Ministry focused on external performance	Constituted by New Testament Spirit: • Constituted by Holy Spirit and Spirit of Jesus • Possessing Ct's humanity and divinity • Abhrisle to truly preach all-inclusive Christ • Work has eternal building value • Living in grace and truth • Ministry focused on life building
Practical Examination Standards	Problems of power-oriented ministry: • Pursuing sensational miracles • Focusing on external success • Lacking manifestation of Christ's life • Unable to supply life to people • Work effects are temporary and fade	Characteristics of life-oriented ministry: • Preaching and manifesting Christ's riches • Focusing on saints' life growth • Having Christ's human tenderness • Able to dispense Christ to people • Building has eternal value
Path to Becoming a Vessel	Limited vessel: • Can only contain God's power • Unable to contain Triune God's riches • Lacking Christ's complete experience • Unable to become Christ's manifestation	Complete vessel: • Vessel containing the Triune God • Completely constituted by Holy Spirit and Spirit of Jesus • Experiencing Christ's complete process • Becoming living manifestation of Christ • Able to truly preach Jesus Christ

 

Conclusion and Practical Application

Core Truth:

The nature, quality, and eternal value of our work for the Lord depends entirely on what kind of Spirit guides, constitutes, and fills us.

Today's Standard:

Every person who serves the Lord needs to be constituted by the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus, becoming a vessel containing the all-inclusive Triune God, so that in ministry we can truly preach and manifest Christ, making our work have eternal building value.

Self-Examination:

1.      Is the source of my ministry the impulse of power or the flowing out of life?

2.      Is the content of my preaching miracles and signs or the all-inclusive Christ?

3.      Is the goal I pursue external success or life building?

4.      Are the effects of my work temporary sensation or eternal value?

 

*Please refer to April 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training General Topic: One Accord and Vital Aspects of Acts Chapter 8: The Holy Trinity and the Kingdom of God