Bible Study - Come Holy Spirit Part 4 True Church

What the New Testament teaches about the Holy Spirit and the Church.

Model of Church? Acts 2:42-47 and Ephesians 4:11-13.

‘APEST’ = apostles, priests, evangelists, shepherds and teachers – some of the gifts of the Spirit.

Gifts of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:4-19, 28 and Romans 12:6-8.

Teaching:

• Gifts are all from the Holy Spirit (the one Holy Spirit) – 1 Cor 12:11.

• As he determines – 1 Cor 12:11 - the Holy Spirit decides what we have and not us – we are encouraged to ask for gifts but it’s up to him what he gives.

• Faith, hope and love undergirding the use of the gifts – 1 Cor 12:13.

• Desire gifts especially prophecy – 1 Cor 14:1 (not a hierarchy of gifts but prophecy is thought of highly by Paul, as it builds the church. Prophecy is giving God’s message, in your own language, to the church. People give a specific message to someone or to the church and this is then tested and prayer about. It is one way that God speaks to his people.

• Building up of the church – 1 Cor 14:12.

• In worship tongues and interpretation go together – speaking in tongues is often used when praying for healing.

• Orderly worship.

William told us that there are over 30 gifts of the Spirit in the New Testament. Some are practical e.g. administration and others are supernatural e.g. tongues and healing. Christians are not to desire the gifts to show off but to help build God’s church. The ideal church has a mixture of all the Spirit’s gifts. We need people with gifts to be the body of Christ - the church. Whatever role we play, we are called to do it for God and ask him to bless those we meet or work with.

Leadership Shared. Discipling: 2 Timothy 2:2; Unity Ephesians 4:3-4; Reconciliation Ephesians 2:14, 18; Spirit makes fellowship 2 Corinthians 13:13; Spirit speaks through preaching Acts 4:8; First fruits Romans 8:23. First fruits are experiences the Holy Spirit brings – of intimacy with him, character change. 2 Thessalonians 2:13; First instalment or guarantee 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 5, Ephesians 1:13-14.

Sanctified by the Spirit 1 Peter 1:1-2, 1.15, 2:5, 9 the Holy Spirit brings sanctification, which means to be ‘holy’ and ‘set apart’ – becoming more like Christ. We have a great calling – to be a holy priesthood. In the Old Testament only a few were priests and now some are priests/vicars but all Christians are called to be ‘priests’ – we are people who are called to pray and bless God and be a blessing to others. We are to declare the glory of God. If we offer our work and what we do to God, we will be a blessing to others.