The Holy Spirit (Part 8)

How is the Holy Spirit involved in the Church, the body of Christ?

He fills - And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).  This was on the Day of Pentecost when the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit who appeared and alighted on each of them as tongues of fire.

He baptizes - "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13).

He appoints officers - From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.  "Therefore take heed of yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:17, 28).

He sends out missionaries - As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus (Acts 13:2, 4).  Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus (Acts 4:36).

He comforts the Church - Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified.  And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied (Acts 9:31).

He sanctifies the Church - "...that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:16).

He directs missionaries - Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot" (Acts 8:29).