The Spirit & the Body

Salvation and the Spirit of Promise.

All who come to repentance (pre-requisite), will receive the promised Holy Spirit.

There is no life without the Spirit.

Salvation and the Work of the Spirit.

Through Him we are regenerated; we are born from above and made new in Christ.

We are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

He is the pledge of our eternal inheritance.

Personally - He lives and abides within our hearts.

Corporately - He dwells in the body of Christ (the church).

The Nature and Purpose of the Church

Writings of the Apostle Peter.

1 Peter 2:5- You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

· living stones – a living breathing organism; the life is the Holy Spirit

· a spiritual house – these stones are put together

· for a holy priesthood – for service to God; mediators between God and people.

· spiritual sacrifices – righteous works from our heart; God accepts offerings from a pure heart.

1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

· A chosen race – many are called, few are chosen; was excluded, now included.

· A royal priesthood – servants of the king

· A holy nation – citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven

· proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you – To give praise to God

Writings of the Apostle Paul.

Ephesians 2:19–22- you are fellow citizens with the saints…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone…growing into a holy temple in the Lord…being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

· fellow citizens with the saints - citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven

· a dwelling of God in the Spirit– God’s presence on earth

o Jesus’ advocate

o The power of God

God the Holy Spirit works in us, among us, and through us.Jesus did not leave His church alone. He sent the promise of the Holy Spirit. God’s Kingdom is at hand through the person of God the Holy Spirit.

John 14:12 - “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to the Father.

Every person who receives Christ is baptized by one Spirit into one body – the church – the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13- For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:4–6(NIV) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

God the Holy Spirit works in us, among us, and through us. We are living stones, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood.

We are fellow citizens of His kingdom, and We are the dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We were once excluded, but now, in Christ, we are included. We were once far away, but through the blood of Jesus Christ, we have been made nigh.

We are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of his household, members of His church.