The Spirit convicts

John 16 : 5 - 11

When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt....
Acts 16: 22 -34

Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Once the earthquake had shaken the foundations of the prison, the doors flew open and everyone's chains were loosened. Paul and Silas could easily have made their escape. But they stayed back. This was clear testimony for the jailer who was about to kill himself for fear of the repercussions if the prisoners escaped. This brought the jailer to his knees before Paul and Silas asking what he should do to be truly saved. Paul and Silas 'spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house'. Then it was the jailer's turn to tend to the wounds of Paul and Silas and to have himself and his family baptised.

...he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God....

The Spirit's ministry of first convicting the jailer, resulting in his conversion did not end with his baptism. The fruit of 'joy' is evidence of the continuing ministry of the Spirit in his life. As we draw nearer to Pentecost, we are reminded time and again that the Spirit who lives in us has a ministry in our lives that is ongoing. And that the evidence of His reality is indeed the fruit of the Spirit produced in our lives.