In the third article the Holy Spirit is affirmed as the sustainer of the church. As the Father calls the church into existence through the Son, the Holy Spirit sustains the life of the church. We spent some time discussing the phrase, "organic growth." What is trying to be conveyed is a sense of constant movement within the church as a whole. The church grows in many ways. All of those changes are connected with one another just as an organism grows as one being. Also we believe it is faithful to the language of Ephesians.
While the Son builds the church the Holy Spirit guides the congregation. This article speaks implicitly against a pragmatism that suggests the program and direction of the church is guided by "whatever works." This article hopefully challenges our understanding of what works in the church. The church is always seeking guidance through prayer and worship, not through whatever new program claims results.
III. Holy Spirit: Sustainer of the Church
"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place...And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..." (Acts 2:1,4a)
"...so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love." (Ephesians 4:14-16).
We believe the Holy Spirit gives steadying power, increasing faithfulness in love, and organic growth to the church. Since the first Day of Pentecost, God's Spirit has given life, structure, purpose, and direction to the church.
We reject the assumption that the church can measure her own faithfulness, determine her own identity, and set her own course, according to conventional wisdom.
While the Son builds the church the Holy Spirit guides the congregation. This article speaks implicitly against a pragmatism that suggests the program and direction of the church is guided by "whatever works." This article hopefully challenges our understanding of what works in the church. The church is always seeking guidance through prayer and worship, not through whatever new program claims results.
III. Holy Spirit: Sustainer of the Church
"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place...And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..." (Acts 2:1,4a)
"...so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love." (Ephesians 4:14-16).
We believe the Holy Spirit gives steadying power, increasing faithfulness in love, and organic growth to the church. Since the first Day of Pentecost, God's Spirit has given life, structure, purpose, and direction to the church.
We reject the assumption that the church can measure her own faithfulness, determine her own identity, and set her own course, according to conventional wisdom.
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