III. What is the office of the Holy Ghost?

The office of the Holy Ghost is to produce sanctification in the people of God. This he performs immediately from the Father and the Son. It is for this reason that he is called the Spirit of holiness. The office of the Holy Ghost may be said to embrace the following things: to instruct, to regenerate, to unite to Christ and God, to rule, to comfort and strengthen us.

1. The Holy Ghost enlightens and teaches us that we may know those things which we ought, and correctly understand them according to the promise of Christ: “He shall teach you all things.” “He will guide you into all truth.” (John 14:26; 16:13.) It was in this way that he taught the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, who before were ignorant of the doctrine pertaining to the death and kingdom of Christ. He produced new light in their mind, communicated unto them the remarkable knowledge of tongues, and fulfilled the prophecy of Joel. It is for this reason that the Holy Spirit is called in Scripture the teacher of truth, the Spirit of wisdom, revelation, understanding, counsel, knowledge, &c.

2. The Holy Spirit regenerates us, when he creates in our hearts new feelings, desires and inclinations, or effects in us faith and repentance. “Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” (John 3:6. Matt. 3:11.) This baptism which Christ performs is regeneration itself that which was signified by the external baptism of John and other ministers.

3. He unites us to Christ, that we may be his members and be quickened by him, and so be made partakers of all his benefits. “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” “But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” “And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (Joel 2:28. 1 Cor. 6:11; 12:13. John 3:24. 1 Cor. 12:3, 4.)

4. He rules us. To be ruled by the Holy Spirit is to be guided and directed by him in all our actions, to be inclined to follow that which is right and good, and to do those things which love to God and our neighbor require, which comprehends all the Christian virtues of the first and second table. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” “The Apostles began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Rom. 8:14. Acts 2:4.)
5. The Holy Ghost comforts us in our dangers and afflictions. The Apostles at first fled and concealed themselves for fear of the Jews; but when they had received the Holy Ghost, they went forth publicly, and rejoiced when they were called to suffer, on account of their profession of the gospel. “He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” (John 14:16.)

6. The Holy Ghost strengthens and establishes us when weak and wavering in our faith, and assures us of our salvation, or what is the same thing, he continues and preserves in us the benefits of Christ even unto the end. It was in this way that the Apostles, who at first were timid and filled with many doubts, were made bold and courageous, which any one may see who will compare the sermon of Peter on the day of Pentecost with the conversation of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus: “We trusted that it had been he, which should have redeemed Israel,” &c. Christ speaks of this when he says: “Your hearts shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” “He shall abide with you forever.” (Luke 24:21. John 16:22; 14:16.) It is for this reason that the Holy Ghost, called the Spirit of boldness and the earnest of our inheritance.

The Scriptures, in view of these different parts of the office of the Holy Ghost, ascribe to him various titles. Thus he is called the Spirit of adoption, because he assures us of the fatherly affection which God cherishes towards us, and testifies to us the free goodness and compassion with which the Father embraces us in his only begotten Son. It is, therefore, through the Spirit that we are led to exclaim, Abba, Father. (Rom. 8:15, 16.) He is called the seal and earnest of our inheritance, because he assures us of our salvation. “Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” “After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance.” (2 Cor. 1:21. Eph. 1:13, 14.) He is called life, or the Spirit of life; because it is by him that the old man is mortified and the new man quickened. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:2.) He is called Water, (Is. 44:3.) because he refreshes us when almost overcame by sin, deliver us from its power and makes us fruitful in works of righteousness. He likewise called fire; (Matt. 3:11.) because he continually consumes the lusts and evil passions which burn in our hearts, and kindles in us love to God and our neighbor. He is called a fountain of living water; (Rev. 7:17.) because it is from him and through him that all heavenly riches and blessings flow to us. He is called the Spirit of prayer; because he excites us and teaches us how to pray: “I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication.” “The Spirit helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought.” (Zech. 12:10. Rom. 8:26.) He is called the oil of gladness, because he makes us joyful, lively and strong. “Therefore God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” (Ps. 45:7.) He is called the Comforter; because he works faith in us, delivers us from an evil conscience, purifies our hearts, and comforts us in such a manner that we even glory in our afflictions. He is called an advocate or intercessor; because he makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. (Rom. 8:26.) And, lastly, he is called the Spirit of truth, wisdom, understanding, joy, gladness, faith, boldness, grace, &c.

Obj. 1. But those things which have now been specified as being included in the office of the Holy Ghost, belong also to the Father and the Son. Therefore they are not to be ascribed to the Holy Ghost as though they were peculiar to him alone. Ans. They belong to the Father and the Son mediately; but to the Holy Ghost immediately.

Obj. 2. But Saul and Judas did not obtain the inheritance, and yet they had the Holy Spirit. Therefore the Holy Spirit is not the earnest of our inheritance. Ans. They had, indeed, some of the gifts of the Spirit, but not the Spirit of adoption. And if it be still further objected that it is the same Spirit, we reply, true; but then he does not work the same things in all. True, conversion and adoption are wrought in the elect alone. Hence we must now speak of the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and of their differences.