Holy Spirit, in the church

The church depends upon the activity of the Holy Spirit, without which its effective and faithful service is impossible.

The Holy Spirit forms the church

1 Corinthians 12:13 See also Acts 2:1–4, Acts 2:16–18; Joel 2:28–29; Acts 10:44–48; Ephesians 2:21–22

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

The Holy Spirit indwells the church

1 Corinthians 3:16 “you” here is plural and refers to the whole church. See also Ezekiel 10:4; John 16:14; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Peter 4:14

Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

The Holy Spirit enables the church to function as the body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:7 See also Exodus 31:1–5; Numbers 11:24–27; 1 Samuel 10:5–11; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:8–11

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

The Holy Spirit enables Christian unity

Ephesians 4:3–4; Philippians 2:1

The church worships, serves and speaks by the Holy Spirit

The church worships by the Spirit

Acts 2:11 See also John 4:24; Acts 10:45–46; Romans 8:15; 1 Corinthians 14:26–33; Philippians 3:3

both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs— we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

The church serves by the Spirit

Romans 12:6–8 See also 1 Corinthians 12:7–11; Ephesians 4:7–13

We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

The church speaks by the Spirit

Acts 6:10 See also Acts 4:8; 1 Corinthians 14:24–25

but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

The Holy Spirit communicates Jesus Christ's message to the church

Revelation 2:7 See also John 14:26, John 16:13; Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, Revelation 3:22

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.

The Holy Spirit and the church's mission

The church fulfils its mission by the Spirit

Acts 1:8 See also John 15:26–27, John 20:21–23; Acts 4:31; Galatians 3:3

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Spirit directs the church's missionary enterprise

Acts 13:2–3, Acts 15:28, Acts 16:6