How does the Spirit work in salvation?
The Spirit gives new birth, opening blind eyes and softening hard hearts so that we repent and believe. He washes and renews us and unites us to Christ. He enables us to confess Jesus as Lord and He seals us until the day of judgement. This is not self-improvement; it is God’s sovereign work, like the wind that blows where it wills. From first conviction to final sealing, salvation is a Spirit-wrought miracle of grace. See John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:3.
What are the fruit of the Spirit vs. works of the flesh?
The works of the flesh flow from our sinful nature and show up in obvious ways like sexual immorality, idolatry, jealousy, fits of anger, and selfish ambition. In contrast, the Spirit produces character that conforms us to look like Jesus: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the flesh; keep in step with Him and the fruit will grow. See Galatians 5:16–25.
How do spiritual gifts function for the church’s good?
God gives gifts so the body is built up in truth and love. Each believer has received at least one gift to use as a steward of God’s varied grace. The aim of these gifts is service, mutual edification, and the glory of God. Scripture calls us to exercise our gifts with clarity and love so that the church is strengthened, protected from error, and equipped for ministry. See 1 Corinthians 12–14; 1 Peter 4:10–11.
How can I be filled with the Spirit daily?
We are filled with the Spirit initially when we come to Christ, then daily we are called to be filled with the Spirit. We do this by yielding to the Spirit’s control through the word of Christ richly dwelling in us. Scripture tells us to pray, sing psalms and hymns, give thanks, and walk in obedience as a result. We should also put off sin, confess quickly, and stay in fellowship with other beliers in a local church body. Being filled is not an emotional surge – in fact there is no emotion connected to it at ll. It is a continual, glad submission to the Lord through Scripture-shaped worship and everyday faithfulness. See Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 3:16–17.
Do all the New Testament Spiritual gifts continue today in the same way?
Faithful Christians who love Scripture reach different conclusions here. From a cessationist perspective (which I hold), certain sign gifts that authenticated the apostolic message served a foundational role and are not the ordinary pattern for the church today; God still heals, answers prayer, and can do wonders according to His will, yet our regular focus should be the word, prayer, holiness, and love. Others, whom we respect and love as brothers and sisters, believe some of those gifts continue today. God’s word encourages us to pursue unity, test everything by Scripture, and keep Christ central. Whatever our view, no gift replaces the gospel, and spiritual maturity is measured by fruit, truth, and obedience. See 1 Corinthians 12–14; Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 2:3–4.