The Work of The Holy Spirit In The Life of The Church

The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church cannot be overemphasized. Not only is the work of the Spirit seen in the life of Jesus or the believer but it is also seen in the Church. The coming of the Holy Spirit to form the Church, the many-membered body of Christ, was foreshadowed in Israel under the Feast of Pentecost, even as the work of Christ was foreshadowed under the feast of Passover (Exodus 12; Leviticus 23; Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit is the executive agent of the Godhead who came to earth to build the Church that the Lord Jesus said He would build (Matthew 16:16-20). The Holy Spirit could not be given until Jesus Christ was glorified after His death, burial, resurrection and ascension (John 7:38-39).

It is the indwelling work of the Spirit that seems to be the difference between the experience of Old and New Testament saints. It is the distinguishing feature of New Covenant times. This is seen in the baptismal sign which was given to John the Baptist, concerning the Messiah. John 1:33 says “Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit”. This qualified Jesus to be the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament the Spirit descended on special ones, equipping and filling them but not remaining or indwelling them continually. Jesus promised His disciples that the Spirit would come and dwell with them and in them and that, as the Comforter, He would abide with them forever (John 14:16-17).

The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church includes the following:

1. The Holy Spirit formed the Church on the Day of Pentecost into a corporate structure, the Body of Christ. He baptized the living members into this spiritual body. Pentecost is called the birthday of the Church (Acts 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22-23).
2. The Holy Spirit formed the Church to be the new and living temple of God, setting believers into their places as living stones in the New Covenant temple (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:16; Ephesians 2:20-22)
3. The Holy Spirit brings anointing, illumination and directing to the Church as the New Covenant Priestly Body (2 Corinthians 1:21; Psalm 133:1-2; 1 John 2:20, Acts 10:38)
4. The Holy Spirit brings gifts and graces to the members of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-31; Romans 12:6-8). The gifts of the Spirit are a demonstration in the Church of the Spirit’s omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the nature and character of the Holy Spirit in the members of the Body of Christ.
5. The Holy Spirit is the Agent of direction and government in the Church. The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church in heaven and He directs His affairs in His Body by means of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who calls, quickens, energizes and equips the various ministries in the Church and every member of the Body of Christ according to their particular place (Acts 13:1-3; 15:28; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; Ephesians 4:8-12; 1 Peter 1:12; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Thus as Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body was under total control and domination of the Spirit, and the Spirit was able to flow freely in perfect and unhindered operation, so this is to be manifested in the Church as the visible and mystical Body of Christ in the earth.