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THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH Howard Taylor.
75. Q. Is Christ no longer with us? A. Through the Holy Spirit we are brought into the presence of Jesus so that we can love one another as he loves us. Although the Holy Spirit had always been the bond uniting God and his people, the fullness of his power did not come until after the resurrection of Christ. This happened on the Jewish day of Pentecost and marked the beginning of the ministry of the church of Jesus Christ. 76. Q. What is the church of Christ and what is its purpose? A. The church of Christ is the communion of all those who through faith in Christ have come to know God as Father, Saviour and Lord. The church must be true to the testimony of the prophets and apostles. That is, it must be orthodox. It must transcend human barriers of nation, race and so embrace all peoples of all times, and also it must belong to the one people of God which goes back in teaching and fellowship to the times of the Bible. That is, it must be catholic (which means universal). It also must be constantly reformed in that it must never be self-righteous or self-satisfied. Rather it must allow the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures to bring it ever nearer to the heart and mind of Christ so that it can turn from sin and error, sharing more and more in the ministry of the man Christ Jesus, and thus through the Holy Spirit fulfil its vocation as the body of Christ. 77 Q. In what ways should the church of Christ share in the ministry of Christ? A. It is called to share in his prophetic ministry by bringing the Word of God to bear upon the affairs of nations and peoples so that they can understand the purposes of God and turn back to his ways of truth, justice and mercy. It must share in the priestly ministry of Christ as it confesses the sins of the world, prays for forgiveness and ministers the presence of God to humankind in service and worship. It must share in the kingly ministry of Christ as it proclaims the gospel to all peoples, calling for faith, repentance and obedience and warning of the coming kingdom of God when nations and individuals will face God's judgement. All this can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit who mediates the presence of Jesus himself to us. He calls his people to take up the cross and follow him in true discipleship. 78. Q. What does the Holy Spirit give us as individuals in the church of Christ? A. In giving us the presence of Jesus, he enables us to confess and turn from our sins and receive his salvation. 79. Q. What are the results in our lives of union with Christ through faith? A. Our whole life is taken into the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ so that we actually experience new birth, holiness, forgiveness, deliverance from evil and reconciliation with God. In Christ we are born as new into the family of God. In Christ we call his Father, our Father. 80. Q. Why is it that many who hear the gospel do not come to faith in Christ? Does God want everyone to be saved? A. God does want all people to be saved, for Christ died for all. The Holy Spirit works in the hearts of all who hear the gospel, but many resist the Spirit because they do not want to have their life changed. This is so even though salvation is a free gift to them, that is to say, it is by grace alone. REFERENCES 75. Gen. 1:2; Ps. 51:10-11; Ps. 139:7-8; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15-18; Acts 2:1-4. 76. 2 Tim. 1:13 - 2:3; Eph. 2:19-22; Gal. 3:26-28; Phil. 3:10-14. 77. 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 4:2-6; Dan 9:3-20; Neh. 1:4-11 78. 1 Cor. 2:1-5, 10-16; John 14:15-18, 25-26; Eph. 2:8; John 16:5-15; Rom. 8:1-17. 79. John 3:1-3; 1 John 3:1-9; Col. 2:13; John 8:34-36; Rom. 6:18, 5:1, 8:15-17; Col. 1:13-14. 80. 1 Tim. 2:3-6, 4:10; 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:15; Luke 7:30; Acts 7:51.
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