The Work of the Spirit and the Word to Bring Peace to the Local Church

Christian community is a priceless gift from God to every believer. We are not alone in our faith “in Jesus Christ.” The local church is God’s design for His chosen people to have fellowship with one another in the Spirit (2 Cor 13:14; Phil 2:1). Each Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11), who sanctifies Christ’s church (1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2).

Paul wrote to the church of the Thessalonians with some community building tips that would help attain and maintain peace. First, the elders should have the congregants respect (1 Thess 5:12–13). Second, the congregation should admonish and encourage one another to be holy in conduct (1 Thess 5:14–15). The believers should utilize what God has granted them to communicate with Him in joy, thanksgiving, and prayer (1 Thess 5:16–18). Finally, Paul exhorted the church to discern both the work of the Spirit and the Word (1 Thess 5:19–22).

The Holy Spirit and His work are depicted as a flame of fire. Fire gives light and heat to those who manage it. It is a very destructive force if it becomes “wild”. Far from controlling the third Person of the Trinity, however, the point is that Christians need to discern the good work of the Spirit and differentiate it from the evil works of demonic spirits.

Every form of evil does harm to Christ’s church. For this reason, the Thessalonians were instructed to avoid evil doctrine and practices (1 Thess 5:22). Good comes from God; and this is what helps to build up the church. In fact, no one is good except God (Luke 18:19; Rom 3:12); therefore, we need more of God in our fellowships.

Jesus Christ purchased His church with the currency of His precious blood (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 1:19). Buying her from the slave market of sin (Rom 6:6), His intention is to present her holy and blameless before God on the last day (1 Cor 1:8; Eph 1:4; 5:27; Col 1:22; 1 Thess 3:13; 5:23; 2 Pet 3:14; Jude 24). The church is the bride of Christ, His body of believing members who are being made holy by the Spirit and the Word of God.

Christians are sanctified by the truth (Jn 17:17). God is true; and His Word is truth (Jn 14:6; Rom 3:4). It is the truth, as it is in Jesus, that sets us free from bondage to sin, Satan, and the world system our adversary rules over despite his illegitimacy. As the father of lies (Jn 8:44), Lucifer blinds the minds of people from seeing and knowing the truth of the Gospel of God’s grace unto salvation (2 Cor 4:4).

Only the Spirit of Christ can open the eyes of the spiritually blind (Jn 9; 1 Cor 2:14–16). He does so for whomever God has chosen to illumine the Word. Jesus, the incarnate Word, is the Light of the world (Jn 8:12). He gives light and life to whomever He wishes by sending the Holy Spirit into their hearts (Jn 14:17, 26; 15:26; Rom 5:5; 2 Cor 5:5). It is the Holy Spirit who causes God’s elect redeemed people to be born again (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3).

Those born again of God are new creatures — first fruit of a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). In this, the work of the Holy Spirit begins to manifest within the new believer, who is recognized on Christ’s roster of members. This list of names pre-dates Creation as God gave His elect to His Son (2 Tim 1:9; Rev 13:8; 17:8; 21:27).

Paul instructed the church in the matter of the Spirit and the word (1 Thess 5:19–22). He taught them, as he teaches us, not to quench the Spirit. In essence, he was saying, “Don’t put out the fire of the Spirit.” One way this happens is for local churches to neglect the prophetic utterances. This is another way of saying that the Word of God preached should not be neglected or despised.

It was the Holy Spirit’s work to move the human authors of the Bible along in their writing of Holy Writ (2 Tim 3:16). Many of those authors were prophets, while others were Apostles of Jesus. With Christ Jesus as the cornerstone, the church has the Bible as its firm foundation for right worship and practice. In turn, the church is the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim 3:15). No matter how we look at it, the church and the Word of God are intimately linked.

Many false teachers have influenced the church, both from within her and also from outside her, throughout history. Much of the New Testament is written to warn local churches not to subject themselves to myths, endless genealogies, speculations, fables, doctrines of demons, or any false ideas sourced in the philosophies or religions of men.

Christians must search the Scriptures for themselves. They must hold fast to that which is sound doctrine. What has been uttered by the prophets and apostles, in the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, is the Christian faith handed down to us (Jude 3). It is the tradition of sola Scriptura, which means we are privy to learn Christ Jesus from the single source of the Spirit inspired Holy Bible.

When the Spirit-filled man of God opens the God-breathed Word of God, it is put upon the people of God to know that what is being preached is the revelation from God. It is also put upon them to correct, reproof, or even rebuke someone who is not qualified to teach God’s people and who leads them astray from the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For the people of God to be holy (1 Pet 1:15–16), it demands that the source of holiness be holy Himself. Thus, the holy man of God is defined by his relationship to the holy One of God. When the indwelling Spirit is truly at work, the Holy Word will be preached with faith, earnestness, boldness, and from the strong conviction that nothing else can transform the human heart and mind into conformity to the perfect God-man, Jesus Christ (Rom 12:1–3).

Everything taught and practiced must be tested to ensure that the God of peace is the One bringing genuine peace to the Israel of God, Christ’s church (Gal 6:16). Only that which is good for the edification of the local membership should be permitted. Peace in the Christian community is a product of the Spirit’s employment of the Word (Gal 5:22; Eph 6:12; Heb 4:12); and blessed are those who receive the Spirit and the Word with all acceptation and with gladness.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

October 15, 2023

1 Thessalonians 5:19–22