Over the past fifty years, God has done a mighty work in China. The number of Christ’s followers in China has grown from about one million in 1950 to perhaps one hundred million, or more.
Some observers point to social, economic, and political factors driving this immense movement, but those most familiar with the events all say that the Holy Spirit has been the principal actor.
His Person
Who is the Holy Spirit?
From the Scriptures, we know that the Holy Spirit is a Person, not an impersonal force. He has a will (1 Cor. 12:11). He can be grieved (Eph. 4:30). He acts in a variety of ways (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
He is the Spirit of God the Father (Rom. 8:9, 11, 14) and of Christ, the Son of God (Rom. 8:9).
His Work(s)
The Holy Spirit was present at creation and took an active part in the formation and filling of the universe from nothing (Gen. 1:2, Psalm 33:6; Job 26:13).
He spoke through the Old Testament prophets and inspired them to write down the Word of God in the very words of God (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). He empowered his servants to do great works for his people (Judges 3:10; 6:34; and others).
The Holy Spirit caused the virgin Mary to conceive a child in her womb without the agency of a man, bringing into being a unique Person who would save his people from their sins and who would be called Immanuel – God with us - and the unique Son of God (Matt. 1:20-23; Luke 1:35).
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus taught God’s truth, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, offered himself as a perfect and final atoning sacrifice, and rose again to the Father’s right hand.
Now, through that same Spirit, he works among his people on earth. He grants repentance, faith, and new birth (John 3:3, 5; Acts 11:15-18; Ephesians 2:9-10). He convinces believers that they are adopted sons and heirs of God and gives them boldness to call him, ‘Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15-18).
The Spirit of Christ also illumines the minds and hearts of those who search the Scriptures and grants both intellectual and experiential knowledge of God (Ephesians 1:17-19; 3:14-21). He also gives them insight into both the general will of God and of his own particular will for their lives (Colossians 1:9-10; Acts 11:12).
The Holy Spirit leads his people into good works, enables them to mortify sinful passions, and transforms them more and more into the likeness of Jesus in their character and conduct (Romans 8:13-14, 2 Corinthians 3:18). Through faith, believers call upon Christ to work material and moral miracles and to reproduce the love and holiness of Jesus in their lives (Galatians 3:5; 5:22-23).
Relying on the indwelling Holy Spirit, followers of Christ can become faithful and effective witnesses of him by deed and word (Acts 1:8), despite fierce persecution (Acts 4:23-31; 1 Peter 4:14)
The Spirit distributes spiritual gifts and capacities to Christians according to his own sovereign will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Despite the arguments of eminent theologians, there is no biblical warrant for thinking that God cannot work miracles of healing through his people, though these are relatively rare (thus, by definition, “wonders,” “signs”).
Nor is there any reason to imagine that God cannot still guide Christians through inner promptings, though these must be tested by Scripture, godly counsel, and sound wisdom.
Of course, as always in church history, such a great movement of the Spirit has been attended by errors and excesses, to which we shall turn our attention next time.
Nevertheless, these marvelous works of the Spirit of God are the only way to explain the phenomenal numerical growth, spiritual maturity, and amazing power demonstrated in the lives of millions of Chinese over the past few decades.
For a very helpful treatment of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, see Jonathan Edwards on New Birth in the Spirit, by my brother, Dr. Peter R. Doyle, for which I wrote the Introduction. Jonathan Edwards on the New Birth in the Spirit: An Introduction to the Life, Times, and Thought of America's Greatest Theologian: Doyle, Peter Reese, Cozart, Brandon J, Doyle, G. Wright: 9781611532463: Amazon.com: Books