Church: The Holy Spirit

What is the Church? Nothing without the Holy Spirit

The great Theologian John Macquarrie, using the language of “being” describes God (the Father) as Primordial Being, Jesus as Expressive Being and the Holy Spirit as Unitive Being. On the Day of Pentecost we think of the beginning of the Church by the power of the Holy Spirit. It was a day when the disciples were gathered in one place, when the Holy Spirit came like tongues of fire and transformed them. No longer was Jesus present in his humanity to reveal the will of God to them; to teach them and draw them into a unity of life and purpose around him. Now, with the gift of the Holy Spirit they became a unity which later Paul described as the Body of Christ. Without the Holy Spirit the disciples were just individuals, but with the Holy Spirit they were a community which was the continuing presence of Jesus in the world. Without the Holy Spirit there is no church. The Holy Spirit is the very source of its life.

The Spirit is the source of its growth. When Peter had finished his sermon thousands of people from all over the known world believed in Jesus, were baptised and received the Holy Spirit and became part of the church. The Unitive power of the Spirit was experienced though the gift of tongues, which was as much a gift of hearing. God united their communication so they could join together in power. This is the reversal of the curse of the tower of Babel, when God confused their languages to destroy the unity they were developing against him. With this new community, God’s purposes will be advanced by their unity.

The Spirit is the source of its character. Before Pentecost the disciples were frightened, hiding in upper rooms wondering what is going to happen to them. At Pentecost they had a change of character. Suddenly they were bold, prepared to stand up and declare their faith. They might still have been fearful, but they were no longer controlled by fear. Now they were inspired by God to risk their lives for the sake of spreading the Gospel. Suddenly they were out of their depth and they had the courage they needed to achieve and succeed. The primary characteristics of the Holy Spirit is Boldness. Later Paul identifies a number of other characteristics of Christian people and calls them Fruit of the Spirit.

The Spirit is the source of its action. Boldness continued to take the church out of its depth in many different circumstances, and again Paul identifies the ways in which the Holy Spirit is empowering its unity and mission. He calls these Gifts of the Spirit. These are the skills the church needs to boldly continue to serve God by revealing the Gospel of Jesus to the world.
At Pentecost each year, we are reminded of the source of our life, and the challenge to go out of our depth and rely on the Holy Spirit, to empower us to do God’s will by following Jesus and proclaiming his Gospel.

Adrian