God's Church: What is the Relation of the Church to the Holy Spirit?
What is the Relation of the Church to the Holy Spirit?
During Pentecost marks the beginning of the church as a functioning body by the outpouring of the Spirit on that day. Before His ascension the Lord promised that the disciples would be baptized with the Holy Spirit soon;
Acts 1:3-5 NASB To these He (Jesus) also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. (4) Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; (5) for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Though the word "baptism" does not appear in the account of Pentecost in chapter 2, it is quite clear from 11:15-16 that the baptism occurred for the first time on that day.
Acts 11:15-17 NASB "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. (16) "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' (17) "Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?"
Since, according to Paul (1 Cor. 12:13) Spirit baptism places people in the body of Christ, and since the body of Christ is the church (Eph. 1:22-23), the church, the body, began when those first individuals were baptized at Pentecost.
Several other things occurred on the Day of Pentecost. The disciples were filled with the Spirit.
Acts 2:4 NASB And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Three thousand were baptized with water (v. 41). The visible church began that day (vv. 42-47).
Acts 2:41-47 NASB So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. (42) They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (43) Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. (44) And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; (45) and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. (46) Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
In addition to baptizing those who believe into the body, the Spirit also indwells in …
Individual Christians
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NASB Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. (19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? (20) For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. Local churches
1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
Body of Christ
Ephesians 2:20-22 NLT Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. (21) We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. (22) Through Him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit.
The Spirit also… Empowers
Acts 1:8 NLT But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Leads and Comforts
Acts 9:31 NLT The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.
Gives Gifts to the Church…
1 Corinthians 12:4 NLT There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.
In a very real sense, the Spirit is the energizing life and power of the church. The church will not function properly without the Holy Spirit leading us individually and collectively. Pray for each other to be sensitive to the Holy Spirits guidance.
Love to all in Christ,
Pastor Mike
(602) 510-5563
