It is important for all churches and individual believers to properly understand the work and ministry of the the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. There continues to be much confusion, leading to error entering into many churches. Much of this is a result of the teachings of the Charismatic Movement, and other such movements which arose in the 20th century.
The International Council of Christian Churches stands solidly on the Biblical teaching that “there are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in essence, equal in power and glory” (Baptist Catechism of 1689, questions 8 and 9). All the great churches of the Protestant Reformation held to this belief. (See questions 5 and 6 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism [Presbyterian], Article 1 of the 39 Articles [Anglican], Article 1 of John Wesley’s 25 Articles of Religion [Methodist], and Luther’s Small Catechism, question 19, under the First Commandment [Lutheran]). Many more could be listed.
This fundamental Biblical teaching is the foundation for understanding the work of each of the three persons of the Godhead. Yet, God is one, and the work of one member of the Godhead is never performed in isolation from the others.
Concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures tell us that He:
• was active in the Creation (Genesis 1:1-2);
• convinces, convicts, and calls sinners through the preaching of the Word (Luke 24:47; 2 Corinthians 3:3;
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14);
• applies regeneration to those who are called (John 6:63; John 14:17; Ephesians 2:1-5; Titus 3:5);
• participates in our justification (1 Corinthians 6:11);
• seals us until that day we live eternally in heaven (Ephesians 1:13-14);
• will keep us from sin (Galatians 5:16);
• is active in our sanctification (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23).
The Holy Spirit and revelation
• Since the completion of the canon of Scripture, God’s revelation to us is complete.
• The Scriptures are not the imperfect writings of men. Rather, 2 Peter 1:20-21 tells us that the inspired, infallible, inerrant Scriptures were written by “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
• Nothing is to be added or taken away from the Scriptures:
• “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2). (See also Deuteronomy 12:32.)
• “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).
• Puritan preacher John Owen once wrote: “Since the finishing of the canon of the Scripture, the church is not under that conduct as to stand in need of such new extraordinary revelations … new revelations it hath neither need nor use of;—and to suppose them, or a necessity of them, not only overthrows the perfection of the Scripture, but also leaveth us uncertain whether we know all that is to be believed …” (Chapter IV, Pneumatologia: A Discourse Concerning the Holy Spirit).
• Psalm 119:89: “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.”
• Isaiah 8:20: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
• Christ held the Scriptures to be the very Word of God (Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:25–27; John 10:35; John 17:17).
• The New Testament writers referred many times to the Old Testament Scriptures as their authority (Matthew 1:22-23; Acts 28:23; Acts 4:24-28; Acts 8:27-35; Romans 9, etc.).
• The Holy Spirit gives us understanding of the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 2:12 tells us: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. John 16:13a: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Signs and wonders
• Although God used visions, revelations, miracles, tongues, etc., in very specific times in history, and for a very specific reason, those things have ceased with the completion of the canon of Scripture.
When the Bible does relate the use of these various miracles, revelations, etc., it is virtually always in the context of authenticating new leadership and authority given by God at certain times in history. A few examples are:
• Moses: “And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.” God performed a miracle by the hand of Moses, and then said: “That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.”
• Christ: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know” (Acts 2:22).
• The Apostles: “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians 12:12); “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:20).
• It should be noted that Paul speaks of these things in his earliest-written epistles, but does not mention them in later epistles. Rather, he tells the ones he is writing to to heed the words of God which he has spoken. In 2 Timothy 3:15-17, he writes: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
The baptism of the Holy Spirit
• There are some that teach that there are Christians who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, and those that have not been. It is as if we do enough good as a Christian, we can become a Christian on a higher tier from regular Christians.
• However, the Scriptures teach that ALL believers are baptized in the Spirit at the moment we are saved, and it is impossible to be a Christian without this.
• “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13).
• “But ye [Christians] are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).
• “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (
John 14:16-17).
The baptisms in the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts and the early church, were a special empowerment and authentication that the Gospel was to go to an ever widening circle — to the whole world. With many verses, such as the ones just quoted, these post-salvation baptisms should not be viewed as normative in the church following the Apostolic period.
“And be filled with the Spirit”
• In Ephesians 5:18, Paul writes: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” This is not referring to someone without the Spirit getting a new filling of the Spirit. Rather, Paul is telling them not to get carnal excitement from getting drunk, but instead get their joy from the Holy Spirit. Every believer already has the Holy Spirit in completeness. Yet, Paul was instructing them to continually give their whole lives in submission and obedience to God’s Spirit. In the parallel instruction he gives in Colossians 3:15, Paul says instead: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” The person who obeys the Word of Christ, and is in submission to it, is filled with the Spirit.” Both of these passages continue on with what a person “filled with the Spirit” will do.
The work of the Holy Spirit in contrast to modern Charismatic teaching
Overemphasis on the Holy Spirit
The Charismatic Movement places its greatest emphasis on the supposed work of the Holy Spirit. The emphasis is usually on miraculous healing, miracles, new revelation, and so forth. It is said to come by a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Yet, the Scriptures say that the Holy Spirit places His emphasis on Christ, and does not speak of Himself (John 16:13; John 15:26). Colossians 1:18-19, written under the direct superintendence of the Holy Spirit, tells us: “that in all things he [Christ] might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.”
Emphasis on emotion and feelings over Biblical doctrine:
Many Charismatics are involved in an unbiblical ecumenism. Roman Catholics, members of the World Council of Churches, and so forth, are warmly welcomed. Yet, the Holy Spirit never blesses those living in disobedience. There is a real effort to downplay or ignore doctrine, with much emphasis on supposed empowerment. Being part of the movement is often more important than one’s beliefs and Biblical living.
The pivotal passage of 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17, shows us that the Spirit filled Christian must strive to believe in sound doctrine, and to conform his or her life to the Word of God. It says: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” These are the things that are important, not the desire to see some supposed miracle, new revelation, and so forth.
In this same chapter, in verses 6 and 7, Paul tells Timothy to beware of certain women who are weak. They claim to be believers, yet seek after new things from false teachers. They are never satisfied with the plain teaching of Scripture, and it never brings them to a life in Christ.
We must be mature, godly Christians. Ephesians 4:14 instructs us: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
Conclusion
When the Ninth World Congress of the International Council of Christian Churches met in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1975, it passed a statement on the Charismatic Movement. In conclusion, it stated: “Be it resolved that we publicly declare our opposition to, and our separation from, the Charismatic Movement and that we regularly alert our churches and people concerning the dangers of these Satanic delusions and pray that we may be filled with the Spirit of God which will be manifest by the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.”
The 22nd World Congress of the International Council of Christian Churches, meeting from July 22-29, 2026, in Nakuru, Kenya, reaffirms this statement passed by the ICCC 51 years ago.
Therefore: We urge all churches and individual Christians to diligently study the Word concerning the wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit. We further warn that rather than seeking to perpetuate things which were only meant for the Apostolic age, such as miracles, tongues, new revelations, etc., that they look instead to follow God’s command to “Be ye holy, as I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16), to study and meditate on the Scriptures, to “pray without ceasing,” and to seek in all faithfulness to be obedient servants of Christ. Then, and only then, will God’s Spirit bless us and lead us in the way everlasting.