1. The Holy Spirit formed the Church:
On the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2:1-41 the Holy Spirit formed the Church. The Bible teaches that the Church is the habitation of God built by the Holy Spirit:
Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto a holy temple in the Lord; In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit."
2. The Holy Spirit inspires worship:
The worship of the Church should be inspired by the Holy Spirit:
John 4:23, 24 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth."
Philippians 3:3 "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
3. The Holy Spirit directs missionary activities:
This is evident in the record of the missionary activities of the first Church:
Acts 8:29 "Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot."
Acts 16:6-10 "Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them."
Acts 13:2-4 "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus."
4. The Holy Spirit selects ministers:
Some denominations appoint or elect ministers to serve in the Church. Many people go to college or seminary to be trained as ministers, but the requirement set by Scripture is that ministers be called and selected by the Holy Spirit:
Acts 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood."
5. The Holy Spirit anoints preachers:
1 Corinthians 2:4 "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
6. The Holy Spirit guides decisions:
Acts chapter 15 records a special meeting of leaders to discuss various problems in the Church. Their final decision was guided by the Holy Spirit:
Acts 15:28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things."
7. The Holy Spirit baptizes the church with power:
The book of Acts opens with the record of this great event:
Acts 2:1-4 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as a fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
This baptism was the powerful force behind the internal, expansion, extension, and bridging growths of the Church recorded in the remainder of the book of Acts.
This is a simple explanation of what the Holy Spirit does in the church. Does your church let him move as he desires? Do you allow yourself to become a vessel of the Holy Spirit? If not, avail yourself to unlimited resources through the Holy Spirit. He can make a difference in what you do for Christ.
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