The Holy Spirit and the Church
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Memory Text:"Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:3-5, NASB).
Sometimes we think of the Holy Spirit at work only on the individual level and in the lives of individual believers. But this work in individuals is the foundation of a spiritual community. The Holy Spirit is ultimately responsible for the existence of the church of Christ.
We are often tempted to think that the church exists and grows because of our various evangelistic and missionary activities. Yes, God wants to achieve His glorious plans for the church, and do so with our help. But the real reason for the church lies not in what we do; nor is it the result of our efficient organization and effective administration, however important these are. The church exists because of what God has already done and continues to do for us through the Holy Spirit.It is the Holy Spirit who creates a spiritual community and fellowship that has the Written Word of God, inspired by the same Spirit, as its authority for faith and practice. The Spirit-inspired Bible is the foundation for the theological unity of the church. Without the work of the Spirit, the church would not exist and could not continue to fulfill its united mission.
SundayFebruary 26The Holy Spirit Unites Us With Christ
The Holy Spirit unites us in manifold ways. We would not exist as a church if the Holy Spirit would not first unite us with Christ.Christ is the head of the church (see Eph. 1:22, 23; 5:23).Through the Holy Spirit, we are effectually united to Christ Himself. Being united with Christ is the foundation of all the blessings of salvation, because all we have in the Lord comes from Him.Our adoption as sons and daughters of God, our justification as well as our sanctification, our living a victorious life over sin, and our final glorification are all received through our union with Christ. Thus, He must be the foundation to our entire Christian experience.
Read Ephesians 2:18, 20-22 and 1 Peter 2:6, 7.Ephesians 2:18For through him we both have accessto the Fatherby one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:20-2220builton the foundationof the apostles and prophets,with Christ Jesus himselfas the chief cornerstone.21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy templein the Lord.22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
1 Peter 2:6-76For in Scripture it says:“See, I lay a stone in Zion,a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in himwill never be put to shame.”7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,“The stone the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone,”
What do they tell us about the role of Christ and the Holy Spirit in the creation of the church? A Possible Answer: Christ holds together as a cornerstone, the various parts of the spiritual house, (the church) while giving shape and unity to it. It is also through Him that we have access to the Father. In that Jesus began His intercessory ministry in heaven after His resurrection, it is through the Holy Spirit that all these things are accomplished.
Through the Spirit, we have access to God the Father. Jesus is the rock, the foundation of our salvation, and the one on whom all other parts of the whole building are erected.
The work of the Spirit on the individual level then leads to a specific community of faith: the church. When we have experienced salvation through faith in Christ Jesus alone, and have been touched by the love of God, there is a sweet "fellowship of the Holy Spirit" (2 Cor. 13:14, NASB) in the church. Individual believers are being built into a new spiritual house of God "in the Spirit" (Eph. 2:22, NASB). As followers of Christ we should be eager "to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3, NASB). In every way possible, without compromising what cannot be compromised, we need to seek for unity in the fellowship of believers.
Read Colossians 3:12-14. 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselveswith compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience.13Bear with each otherand forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.14And over all these virtues put on love,which binds them all together in perfect unity.
How can you exemplify those attributes and contribute to unity in the church? A Possible Answer: By prayerfully submitting ourselves to the indwelling Holy Spirit who will in tern bring about oneness or unity. By staying connected to Jesus and keeping our eyes on Him so that we produce appropriate fruits. By voluntarily living out in our lives the life of Christ whereby we minister in accordance to our gifts and at His direction. Dwelling in Christ, feeding on His word and being filled with the Spirit will produce fruit that corresponds with those attributes and they in turn will produce unity.
Why are these attributes so crucial to the unity of the church? A Possible Answer: They are crucial to the unity of the church because they, singly and collectively, are the very ingredients that produces unity thought and action.When one considers the nature of those attributes...Holiness is the manifestation of a life in perfect agreement with God... Kindness is descriptive of gentle, gracious, kindly consideration, both in disposition and action, toward the needs of one’s neighbor... Humbleness is that meek and quiet spirit... Meekness is the absence of self-justification, the opposite of self-assertion... it will be seen that they are the glue that holds relationships, ministries and everything else together. Further, it is only through being longsuffering and exercising forbearance and love, that we can extend that unity and ensure a security that endures.
MondayFebruary 27The Holy Spirit Unites Us Through Baptism
Read 1 Corinthians 12:13.For we were all baptizedbyone Spiritso as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Jews or Gentiles. Whatever may have been a man’s former condition of life, or whatever his nationality, surrender to Christ and baptism by His Spirit removes all former differences between him and other believers, for all are on the same level in the sight of God. It is not nationality that counts, but humble acceptance of Jesus as Saviour, and willingness to let Him lead at all times. Bond or free. Or, “slaves and freedmen.” Compare Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11. The fact that there were many nationalities and social classes comprising the body of Christ, heightens the idea of diversity. Yet in spite of diversity there is unity.[1]
How does baptism unite us with Christ and with the Spirit? A Possible Answer:Water baptism is valueless unless the one being baptized has been born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5, 6, 8). It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that men become members of the body of Christ. In the light of that, Baptism unites us in the sense that participation in it attests to and signifies that we are abiding in both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Such participation (that of being baptized) results because of the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the act knits us by association and spirit to Christ.
It is the Holy Spirit who unites us into one body of believers.The public entrance into Christ's spiritual kingdom is through baptism. We are baptized into a specific church body. Thus, baptism has a distinct communal dimension and important communal implications.As followers of Christ, we cannot live just by ourselves. We all need the support, encouragement, and help of others. And we certainly cannot fulfill the divine mission alone. That is why God has created the church. To follow Christ means following Him in the fellowship of other believers.Thus baptism and the church have a visible component to them.
Read Romans 6:3-7.3Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptizedinto Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into deathin order that, just as Christ was raised from the deadthrough the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.6For we know that our old selfwas crucified with himso that the body ruled by sinmight be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin—7because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
What is symbolized through biblical baptism? A Possible Answer: The death of the carnal nature, the separation from the former un-Christ-like lifestyle and resurrection to live a new life in Christ.
A Possible Answer: (Continued) The act of being buried with Jesus Christ through baptism into death in the watery grave and being raised to new life in fellowship with Jesus our Lord and Savior symbolizes the crucifixion of the old life and the public confession of accepting Christ as our Savior.
"Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Self is by profession dead to a life of sin. The waters cover the candidate, and in the presence of the whole heavenly universe the mutual pledge is made. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, man is laid in his watery grave, buried with Christ in baptism, and raised from the water to live the new life of loyalty to God." - Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1074.
Baptism is a positive step with which all who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit must comply. In other words, baptism marks true repentance, the crucifixion of the old life, and it signals the new birth or conversion. It also encompasses mutual covenant obligations. The believer promises to be faithful to God and His commandments, and God guarantees that we can depend on His help whenever we need it.
Have you made a decision for believers' baptism? A Possible Answer: Yes/in the process/no.
If not, what hinders you from following Christ in baptism? A Possible Answer: Nothing or maybe... A) Lack of motivation. B) Lack of knowledge. C) Significant others.D) Don’t have a positive attitude towards the act of baptism. E) Rebellion. F) Lack of faith.
If you have been baptized by immersion, how has your baptismal covenant impacted your spiritual walk with Jesus? A Possible Answer: It is an ongoing reminder of my commitment to Christ. It energizes me to stay connected to Christ and motivates me to live for him. It helps me to relate to Christwith an appreciative heart because I know what he has done in forgiving me, cleansing me and promising me new life.
The Holy Spirit Unites the Church Through the Word of God
Read Acts 17:11; and John 5:39, 46, 47; 8:31, 32.Acts 17:1111Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scripturesevery day to see if what Paul said was true. John 5:39You studythe Scripturesdiligently because you think that in them you have eternal life.These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, John 5:46, 4746If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.47But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” John 8:31, 32 Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are 31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,“If you hold to my teaching,you are really my disciples.32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
What is a distinguishing mark of a true disciple of Christ? A Possible Answer: The true disciple not only discovers the truth, he/she lives it in their lives by the power of the Holy Spirit...thus being set free in Jesus.
Why is the Bible so indispensable in pointing us to Christ and in helping us to follow Him faithfully? A Possible Answer: it is indispensable because it is the only sure and reliable guidethat reveals the mind and heart of God. Then, as it points us to Jesus, it moves us to be faithful as a result of its converting power or nature.
The primary means by which the Holy Spirit unites us with Christ is through the Written Word of God.The Bible is a trustworthy source for knowing Jesus and the will of God. That is why reading Scripture and memorizing its content is so important. The Bible is the authoritative source for discerning spiritual truth and error. Paul commended the Bereans as noble-minded (Acts 17:11) because they diligently studied and searched the Scriptures in order to find out if what they heard was true.
Any reformation and spiritual revival-no matter whether it affects us individually or as a church corporately-must be based on Scripture.The Bible is the foundation on which our faith is built; meanwhile, the love of Jesus and for His Written Word is the bond that keeps us together.
Read John 17:17-21.17Sanctify them bythe truth; your word is truth.18As you sent me into the world,I have sent them into the world.19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,21that all of them may be one,Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Here Jesus speaks about unity as a distinguishing mark of Christian discipleship. According to John 17:17, what is the basis for this unity? A Possible Answer: Experiencing the sanctification of the Spirit through obeying or practicing the truth as it is found in God’s holy word.
The Word of God is truth (John 17:17, Ps. 119:160). The unity of the church is the work of the Spirit with and through the Written Word of God.The Holy Spirit will never lead us to doubt, criticize, go beyond, or fall short of Bible teaching. Instead, He makes us appreciate the divine authority of Scripture. The Holy Spirit never draws us away from the Written Word, any more than from the Living Word. Instead, He keeps us in constant, conscious, and willing submission to both.The Bible is the foundational source for any theological unity worldwide. Were we to lessen or weaken our implicit belief in the Bible as God's Word of truth to us, the unity of the church would be destroyed.
How much time do you spend in the Word? A Possible Answer: Marginal/some/increasing/varied. 10-40 minutes per day five to seven days a week. More, depending on the need.
More important, how can you learn to submit to its teachings? A Possible Answer: Pray for an obedient heart. Ask God to help you. Study and observe the lives of those who are obedient. Recognize the authority of the Bible while using perceived benefits as an additional motivation. Endeavor to get closer and closer to Jesus who will awaken within us a desire to submit to His will through the converting/enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
WednesdayMarch 1The Holy Spirit Unites the Church in Faith and Doctrine
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:5, 6).What is Paul telling us here about unity and where it comes from?
4. One body. See on chs. 1:23; 2:15, 16. There is a sevenfold repetition of the word “one” in ch. 4:4–6. Unity is the apostle’s theme in these verses. There are many members, but one body (see on 1 Cor. 12:12–14). The Christian is not a solitary pilgrim; he belongs to a vital organism, the family of God. This unit replaces the state, the club, and even the human family as the supreme object of his attachment.
One Spirit. This is the same Spirit referred to in v. 3, the same Spirit who was the regenerating power recommended to Nicodemus (John 3:5). All the gifts, fruits, and graces of the Christian life come from the Spirit’s dwelling in the personal lives of believers and thus in the church. The Spirit dispels the divisions within a man’s own life, the inner disharmonies that make of so many lives veritable battlefields. Disunity is a certain sign that the Holy Spirit is absent.
One hope. Hope sprang up with God’s appeal to men’s hearts—the hope of salvation and the appearance of the Lord (Titus 2:13). It is the hope of the final consummation of the kingdom that gives a substantial basis for peace and joy, courage and good cheer. The Spirit validates this hope (cf. Eph. 1:13, 14), which, in turn, unifies believers and becomes, indeed, a “lively hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Such a hope necessarily leads to the transformed life, for “every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself” (1 John 3:3).