How does the Holy Spirit influence the Church?

The Holy Spirit influences the church by transformation and giving us access to the Father. The Holy Spirit gives wisdom to the church that provides us with the testimony and the Word of God.

How does the Holy Spirit guide the Church?

The Holy Spirit guides the church through ministry. As stated in John 14:26, the Spirit will help us recall the things we've learned about God. This means the Holy Spirit will help the Church tell others about the Christian Faith. Through the Holy Spirit, we can remain true to our covenants through confirmation and baptism. Once baptized, you are officially in the Church and can be close to God through the Holy Spirit.

John 15:26 “But I will send you the Advocate – the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me."

Example of how Holy Spirit works in Church

Prayer, Enables us to wait for the fulfillment of God's promise, and frees us from the power of sin

Prayer : Romans 8:26 "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words." The Holy Spirit guides the Church through prayer. During mass, the Holy Spirit is present, listening to prayers, even when we are weak, and guiding us down the right path to God.

Enables us to wait for the fulfillment of God's promise: Galatians 5:5 "But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us." The Church reminds us that God is coming again and we must have faith in this promise which is given from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit constantly guides the church in keeping the faith and trust that God will return.

Frees us from the power of sin: Romans 8:2 "And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." Through baptism and confirmation, our sins are renewed. The Holy Spirit guides the Church by giving the Church the power to preach to Christians ways to not commit sins and to live like Jesus. Our sins can be renewed through confession and attending mass in which the Holy Spirit Is present.

Biblical Origins of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the Bible since it part of the Holy Trinity. In the Book of Genesis, it states " a wind from God swept over the face of the waters" this represents the Holy Spirit. In Matthew's account of Jesus' Baptism, Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (Matthew 3:16) and he was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted" (4:1) After Christ's Ressurection, the disciples were told that Holy Spirit will come upon you and will give you power. As weeks pass, the day of Pentecost, as the wind gushed, everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit. As the Book of Acts and Paul's letter prove the Holy Spirit, from this point on, Christians were aware of the Spirit that guides the Church.

Reflection:

What changes will you make in your life because of what you learned or experienced? - From what I've learned, I will be more appreciative of the Holy Spirit and realize all it's done in my everyday life. I will pray more and keep my faith in God

How will you apply what you've learned to your everyday life and learning? - I will understand that my everyday inner strength is given to me by the Holy Spirit and I will pray and remember the qualities the Holy Spirit gives me.

How will you apply what you've learned to the broader social and political issues that you care about? - I will try to make a difference in these issues and have the Holy Spirit guide me by giving me the wisdom to tell other about God and how to keep the faith in Him which will resolve issues.

What implications does this have for future interfaith service-learning we might do? This implicates that in the future interfaith service-learning, we might focus more on the greatness of the Holy Spirit and be guided during service by the Spirit. We will be motivated during ministry and preach our faith to others.

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-is-the-holy-spirit/

http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/our-christian-roots-the-holy-spirit

https://www.lds.org/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng

Ave Maria Press. “Jesus and the Church.” v1.0. Ave Maria Press, Inc., 2015. iBooks.