Episode 24: What is Holy Spirit’s role with the church today? | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed

The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Church Today

As we continue our conversation on the Apostles’ Creed, we’re focusing on the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the church today. The question we’re asking is simple yet profound: What is the Spirit's role in the church today? To understand this, we need to start by revisiting who the Holy Spirit is and how He functions within the body of Christ.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

First and foremost, we must recognize that the Holy Spirit is God. Too often, we may mistakenly view the Spirit as an impersonal force or a manifestation of God, but the Holy Spirit is fully and completely a person, the third person of the Trinity, equally part of the Godhead alongside the Father and the Son. Understanding the Holy Spirit’s personhood helps us appreciate that He is not some abstract, invisible power, but a divine being with distinct roles and functions in our lives.

One of the challenges in understanding the Holy Spirit is the mystery of His work. The Spirit can be compared to the wind—there are times we feel His presence strongly, and other times, we experience Him more quietly, in peace and stillness. The Spirit's movements aren’t always accompanied by powerful emotions or visible signs, but that does not mean He’s any less present. This subtlety often leads to comparisons with things like the Force in Star Wars, a concept inspired by Christian writings, but there’s a significant difference. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force like the one in Star Wars; He is a personal, relational, and active presence in the lives of believers.

The Holy Spirit’s Role in the Church

Without the Holy Spirit, there would be no church. In fact, the Acts of the Apostles could more accurately be titled The Acts of the Holy Spirit. The church was established and continues to grow through the power and work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the one who both empowers and sustains the church, ensuring that it fulfills its mission in the world.

The Spirit is often described as the seal of God’s promises to us. Ephesians 1 and Romans 8 both speak of how the Spirit marks us as God’s own, guaranteeing the inheritance of salvation that is ours through Jesus Christ. In the same way a king would place a seal on a letter to authenticate it, the Holy Spirit is the mark of God’s ownership and promises in the lives of believers. For each of us, this means the Holy Spirit enables us to live out the Christian life authentically. We see the fruits of His presence in our lives—not just in big, visible moments but in the way we live our everyday lives. Our actions, our love, our choices—these are all ways the Holy Spirit bears witness to the world of God’s work in us.

The Spirit also unites believers together. It’s through the Holy Spirit that we are connected with the larger body of Christ—both those who have come before us and those who will come after us. The Spirit bridges the gap between generations and cultures, knitting together the diverse members of the church into one body. This unity is not just a theoretical concept but a lived reality, as the Spirit enables us to work together, worship together, and serve together.

The Spirit’s Ongoing Work

As we explore how the Holy Spirit continues to shape the church, it's crucial to note that His work is ongoing. There are times in the church’s history when the Spirit has been poured out in powerful ways, such as in the early days of the church or during times of revival. However, we don’t need to constantly seek another dramatic outpouring. The church has already been established, and what we need now is to continually be filled by the Spirit. This ongoing filling is part of the sanctification process, where we are daily being conformed to the image of Christ.

When we speak of being “filled with the Spirit,” we’re talking about an ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit, not a one-time event. Being filled with the Spirit means living a life that is empowered by Him—a life that points to Jesus and serves the needs of the church and the world. The Spirit doesn’t just fill us to make us feel good; He fills us so that we can be about the work of God, serving others and loving one another as He has loved us.

Walking in the Spirit

We are reminded that the Spirit is a constant and necessary presence in our lives. From uniting the church to empowering us for ministry, the Holy Spirit is at the center of the Christian experience. He is the one who seals our salvation, continually fills us, and equips us to live out the life of faith. As we walk in the Spirit, we are reminded daily that we are not alone—He is with us, guiding us, and empowering us to do the work of God in the world. As we reflect on the significance of the Holy Spirit in our lives, especially through the lens of the Apostles’ Creed, we come to understand how deeply intertwined the Spirit is with our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit isn't just a theological concept or a distant force—it’s the very presence of God, active in our hearts and minds. The way the Holy Spirit illuminates God’s Word, convicts us of sin, and empowers us to live according to the Scriptures is central to our faith.

The Holy Spirit: Illuminating the Word of God

One of the most profound roles the Holy Spirit plays in our lives is that of illumination. When we open the Bible, it's not simply a matter of reading words on a page. We need the Spirit to turn on the light within our hearts and minds so that the Scriptures move beyond knowledge to real transformation. As we study God's Word, the Spirit helps us grasp its beauty and meaning in a way that we could never do on our own. We don't need new revelation—we need illumination. The Holy Spirit makes the timeless truths of the Bible come alive in our hearts, allowing us to understand them on a deeper level.

A powerful example of this is how we approach preaching and teaching. Too often, the process can become about human effort—studying commentaries, writing a sermon, and then asking God to bless it. However, the true process of preaching begins with prayer, seeking God's guidance through the Spirit. Only with the Spirit’s help can we truly understand what God wants to say to His people. This process reminds us that it's not just our hard work that matters; it's the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us that brings real impact.

Conviction of Sin and the Power of Repentance

Another essential function of the Holy Spirit is convicting us of sin and leading us to repentance. In John 16:8, Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This conviction isn't about condemnation—it's about reorienting our hearts back to Jesus. The Spirit gently points out where we’ve missed the mark and invites us to turn back to the way of Jesus.

It’s important to understand the difference between conviction and condemnation. Condemnation, often associated with the enemy, keeps us stuck in guilt and shame, but conviction, through the Holy Spirit, always leads us to a place of forgiveness and grace. This is a crucial part of the Christian life—being sensitive to the Spirit’s convicting power, repenting, and then receiving the forgiveness that Jesus offers. The Holy Spirit also empowers us to extend forgiveness to others, which is a key aspect of living out the Gospel in our everyday lives.

Empowered by the Spirit to Live Out God’s Word

Finally, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live out the Scriptures. We might understand the Bible intellectually, but without the Spirit’s empowering presence, it’s impossible to live out the fullness of God’s Word. Galatians 5 speaks to this truth: "Apart from the Spirit, there’s really nothing that we can do that’s worthwhile." The Spirit empowers us to live according to God's will, helping us to obey His commands, serve others, and share the Gospel.

Reflecting on my own journey, I can attest to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. When I was 16, I never imagined I’d want to serve in the church or pursue seminary. But the Holy Spirit worked in me, shifting my desires and leading me on a path I never would have chosen on my own. And as I continue in my calling today, I know that it’s only by the power of the Holy Spirit that I can preach, teach, and serve effectively.

As we conclude, we can’t forget that the Holy Spirit is the one who makes all of this possible. From beginning to end, it’s the Spirit’s work that guides, convicts, and empowers us. And as we continue to grow in our understanding of the Apostles’ Creed and the role of the Holy Spirit, we are reminded that it is by His power alone that we can live out the truths of the Gospel.