The Three Major Ministries of the Holy Spirit
Bob Yandian
The Holy Spirit is With Us
In John 14:16-17, Jesus said, “I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” Notice the two distinct phrases: with you and in you. These two ministries are foundational to our understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work.
The phrase “with you” is a continuation of the Old Testament ministry of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God was present but did not indwell believers. He would come upon individuals for specific tasks and purposes but did not make His permanent home in them. This was the ministry of Jehovah Shammah—the Lord who is present. Even today, before we receive Christ, the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives, drawing us to salvation. From the moment we believe, He remains with us as our Helper and Comforter. Hebrews 13:5 affirms this: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The Holy Spirit’s presence brings comfort, guidance, and strength. In a world that is rapidly falling into chaos, we as believers must remember that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is always with us, standing beside us to lead and empower us. This is the first great ministry of the Holy Spirit—to be our ever-present companion.
The Holy Spirit is In Us
Jesus continued in John 14:17, saying, “He dwells with you and will be in you.” This second ministry of the Holy Spirit began after Jesus’ resurrection. In the Old Testament, the presence of God dwelled in the tabernacle, the tent of David, and later the temple of Solomon. People would go to these sacred places to be near God. But when Jesus died and rose again, something miraculous happened—the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, signifying that the Holy Spirit was no longer confined to a building. Instead, fifty days later, at Pentecost, He came to dwell in believers.
Now, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). This indwelling presence is what makes us children of God. The Spirit within us brings eternal life (John 4:14), assures us of our salvation (1 John 4:13), and anoints us for service (1 John 2:27). He transforms us from the inside out, making us new creations in Christ.
No longer do we need to go to a specific location to experience God’s presence—He now lives in us! This truth changes everything. We carry the very presence of God wherever we go. His anointing is not limited to a church building; it abides in us daily. This is why the New Testament believer has something far greater than what the saints of the Old Testament experienced. The Holy Spirit is not just with us—He is in us!
The Holy Spirit Comes Upon Us
In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This ministry is distinct from the first two. The Holy Spirit is with us for companionship, in us for life, and upon us for power. When the Holy Spirit comes upon a believer, it is for supernatural empowerment to be a witness for Christ. This infilling of the Spirit, often accompanied by speaking in tongues, gives boldness and effectiveness in spreading the Gospel.
The early disciples were transformed after the Holy Spirit came upon them. Peter, who had previously denied Jesus, stood before thousands and boldly proclaimed the Gospel, leading many to salvation. This same power is available to us today. We do not rely on human wisdom or eloquence but on the anointing of the Holy Spirit to touch hearts and change lives.
The Power of the Holy Spirit Upon Us
The Holy Spirit upon us is given to equip us for ministry. There are six key aspects of His work when He comes upon us:
He gives spiritual growth by revealing the Word – Isaiah 28:11-12.
He helps us when we don’t know how to pray – Romans 8:26.
He reveals things to come – John 16:13.
He brings sensitivity to know God’s will – Galatians 5:25.
He builds us up in our faith – 1 Corinthians 14:4.
He opens the door for spiritual gifts – Acts 19:6.
Jesus was the first to receive this permanent anointing. John 1:32-33 tells us, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.” This was a new work—unlike in the Old Testament, where the Spirit would come and go. Now, when the Holy Spirit comes upon a believer, He remains.
Joel 2:28-29 prophesied that this anointing would come upon all believers—not just prophets, priests, and kings, but sons, daughters, servants, and everyone willing to receive Him. Peter confirmed this on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:17-18.
The Holy Spirit upon us is the doorway to operating in spiritual gifts and ministering in power. When we receive this anointing, we are equipped to lay hands on the sick, cast out demons, and boldly proclaim the Gospel.
The Holy Spirit is our Companion, our Life-giver, and our Source of Power. These three ministries—with us, in us, and upon us—are foundational to our walk with God.
The Holy Spirit’s Ministry in the New Testament
Read the first chapter: click here
The Holy Spirit has always been with man, but in a limited ministry before the day of Pentecost. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit lived in a temple made with hands and came on individuals at certain times to do certain tasks. When Jesus Christ rose from the dead, the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom. This was not just to let us in, but to let the Holy Spirit out. From that day to this, the Holy Spirit desired to live in every born-again Christian.
In Life & Power, Bob Yandian carefully examines the Holy Spirit’s ever-present role in your daily life, types and shadows that explain His ministry, and how the world was changed when He came rushing into the Upper Room like a mighty wind filling New Testament believers with boldness and power.
119 Pages
Paperback
This video curriculum is the companion to Bob Yandian’s “Life and Power” book. It works well for group, or individual study.
In Life & Power, Bob Yandian carefully examines the Holy Spirit’s ever-present role in your daily life, types and shadows that explain His ministry, and how the world was changed when He came rushing into the Upper Room like a mighty wind filling New Testament believers with boldness and power.
(Includes a Copy of the Book)
Message Titles:
The Good Samaritan
3 Main Ministries of the Holy Spirit
The Blood and the Oil
The Manifestation and Blessings of Speaking with Tongues
Final Questions Answered
5 - 40 Minute Videos
Available on DVD or Flash Drive.
Throughout the Bible, symbols are used to represent the different facets of the Holy Spirit. Bob Yandian will explain the meaning behind they symbols of the dove, seal, oil, fire, wind, rivers, dew, water, and clothing as they related to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives today.
Sermon Titles:
The Dove
The Seal
The Oil Part 1
The Oil Part 2
The Fire
The Rain
The Wind
The Rivers
The Dew
The Water
Our Clothing
11 MP3s / MHS14