Witnessing and the Holy Spirit

From Witnessing Encouragement

Over the last few weeks I was within the hearing of some anointed Gospel street preaching (as well as Bible preaching in church) by men filled with the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no true witnessing or Gospel proclamation. I’m exhibit A of the train wreck that occurs when attempting to witness without the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is so much to this extremely important topic; it is vital to learn it and live it if we are to be useful to God as His vessels. He fills His clay pots with the Holy Spirit. Only then are they used. This gives God all the glory! We know all true believers are indwelt and sealed with the Holy Spirit. I am speaking here of the filling or empowering of the Holy Spirit for fruitful service, which comes by faith, prayer, repentance and obedience.

Here are a few quotes from “The Church’s Greatest Need”, by E.Reisinger.

The Holy Spirit is the source of all spiritual witnessing and all spiritual worship; He is also the “Divine Agent of Evangelism”.

The power of the church for her external work will be proportionate with the power which dwells within herself.

Gauge the power of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers and you may fairly judge their influence upon unbelievers.

We ourselves, must first drink of the living water before the rivers of living water will flow out to the unconverted.

Without the Spirit there will be no conviction. Without the Spirit there will be no conversions. Without the Spirit there will be no Spiritual growth. Without the Spirit all preaching and witnessing is in vain.

The Holy Spirit at Pentecost produced powerful evangelistic preaching.

The answer is Spirit-breathed, Christ-centered, Bible preaching in the power and unction (anointing) of the Holy Spirit. Only the Spirit can bring conviction.

..if He does not so work we should search ourselves to see what it is that hinders, and whether there may not be somewhat in ourselves which vexes Him, so that He restrains His sacred energy and does not work among us as He did before. (He is referring to repentance.)

No acceptable action of the Christian life can be performed without the Holy Spirit.

The Bible makes two things very, very clear in connection with the fullness and power of the Spirit. First, prayer (Luke 11:13). Secondly, obedience (Acts 5:32).

The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods but through men. He does not anoint plans but men.

Knowledge comes by studying. Power comes by prayer and fasting.

Everything that grieves the Spirit must be put away. (He is again referring to repentance of sins.)

We will not have the power of the Holy Spirit without importunate earnest prayer (Acts 1:14 preceded Acts 2; Luke 11:9-13).

You might also like to see the post, The Power of the Holy Spirit, and listen to The Holy Spirit is the Witness, by Joseph LoSardo.