REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL

ARTICLE IV — THE HOLY SPIRIT

Section 1. The Person and Deity of the Holy Spirit

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes, proclaims, and teaches that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity: fully divine, eternal, and one in divine nature with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or merely a divine influence, but a divine Person who speaks, teaches, guides, comforts, convicts, empowers, and intercedes according to the will of God.

The Holy Spirit has been active in the works of God from creation and continues to work in the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes. He glorifies Jesus Christ, reveals the truth of God's Word, works in the hearts of humanity, and equips the Church for holy living, worship, witness, and service.

Scriptural Foundation:

• Genesis 1:1–2

• Matthew 28:19

• John 14:16–17

• Acts 5:3–4

• 2 Corinthians 13:14

Section 2. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Spirit of Truth

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter whom Jesus Christ promised to His disciples. He abides with God's people, teaches them, reminds them of the words of Christ, and guides them into truth in accordance with the revealed Word of God.

The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus Christ and glorifies Him. His ministry does not draw believers away from Christ or establish an authority independent of Scripture. Rather, He enables the Church to know, proclaim, and obey Jesus Christ faithfully.

The Spirit's guidance must therefore be tested in the light of Holy Scripture. No claimed revelation, prophecy, spiritual impression, or teaching may rightly contradict the written Word of God.

Scriptural Foundation:

• John 14:16–17

• John 14:26

• John 15:26–27

• John 16:13–14

• 1 Corinthians 14:29

• 1 John 4:1

Section 3. The Holy Spirit's Work in the World

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes that the Holy Spirit is actively at work in the world, convicting humanity of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He exposes the reality of sin, reveals humanity's need for reconciliation with God, and bears witness to the righteousness revealed in Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit also works in accordance with God's sovereign purposes in restraining evil and advancing His redemptive plan. The Church acknowledges that certain aspects of the Spirit's restraining work belong to the mystery of God's providence and should be taught according to the limits of biblical revelation.

Through the Spirit's conviction, the gospel is made known to the human heart, calling sinners to repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and reconciliation with God.

Scriptural Foundation:

• John 16:7–11

• Genesis 6:3

• 2 Thessalonians 2:6–8

• Acts 2:37–38

• Titus 3:4–6

Section 4. The Holy Spirit and the New Birth

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes that the Holy Spirit is the divine agent of regeneration, bringing about the new birth in those who repent and believe in Jesus Christ. No person can enter the kingdom of God apart from the regenerating work of the Spirit.

Through the Holy Spirit, the believer is made spiritually alive, brought into a new relationship with God, and enabled to live in the newness of life that comes through Jesus Christ. The Spirit indwells the believer and begins His transforming work of sanctification, producing holiness, obedience, and the character of Christ.

This regenerating work is essential to salvation and must be distinguished from the subsequent empowering work described in this declaration as the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Scriptural Foundation:

• John 3:3–8

• Romans 8:9–11

• 1 Corinthians 6:11

• Titus 3:5

• 2 Corinthians 5:17

Section 5. The Indwelling, Witness, and Assurance of the Holy Spirit

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes that the Holy Spirit indwells believers and bears witness with their spirits that they are children of God. Through Him, believers experience the assurance of adoption, learn to cry unto God as Father, and are strengthened in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit seals believers as God's own possession and is the earnest, or guarantee, of their inheritance until the final redemption of God's purchased possession. This seal testifies to God's promise and faithfulness and directs believers toward the hope of the fullness of salvation in Christ.

The assurance of the Spirit does not encourage carelessness toward sin. Rather, the Spirit leads believers into a life of faith, repentance, obedience, perseverance, and increasing conformity to the character of Jesus Christ.

Scriptural Foundation:

• Romans 8:14–16

• Galatians 4:6–7

• Ephesians 1:13–14

• Ephesians 4:30

• 2 Corinthians 1:21–22

Section 6. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes, proclaims, and teaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a continuing promise of God for believers today. This baptism is a distinct empowering work of the Holy Spirit, subsequent to the new birth, given to equip believers for effective witness, spiritual service, and the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a replacement for salvation, nor is it a substitute for the regenerating work of the Spirit. Rather, it is an enduement of power for ministry, consistent with the promise of Jesus Christ that His disciples would receive power after the Holy Ghost came upon them and would become His witnesses.

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL affirms that speaking with other tongues, as the Spirit gives utterance, is the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This teaching is grounded in the pattern presented in the Book of Acts. The gift of tongues is not a basis for boasting, spiritual superiority, or exemption from accountability. All spiritual experience must lead to the glorification of Jesus Christ, faithful witness, holy living, and service to others.

Scriptural Foundation:

• Luke 24:49

• Acts 1:4–8

• Acts 2:1–4

• Acts 8:14–17

• Acts 10:44–46

• Acts 19:1–6

• 1 Corinthians 12:7

• 1 Corinthians 14:1–5

Section 7. The Holy Spirit's Empowerment for Witness and Ministry

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to proclaim the gospel, serve the Church, minister to those in need, and fulfill the mission entrusted to the people of God.

The Spirit distributes gifts and abilities according to His will for the common good of the Church. His empowerment is not given to elevate an individual above the body of Christ, but to build up the Church, bear witness to Jesus Christ, and advance God's kingdom.

All believers are called to serve in humility, love, faithfulness, and obedience. Spiritual power must be exercised in accordance with Scripture and the character of Christ, under responsible spiritual leadership and proper accountability.

Scriptural Foundation:

• Acts 1:8

• Acts 4:29–31

• Romans 12:4–8

• 1 Corinthians 12:4–11

• Ephesians 4:11–16

• 1 Peter 4:10–11

Section 8. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes that the gifts of the Holy Spirit remain available to the Church according to the will of God. These gifts include, but are not limited to, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.

These gifts are given for the edification of the Church, the strengthening of believers, the proclamation of the gospel, and the demonstration of God's grace and power. Their exercise must be governed by biblical order, humility, love, discernment, and accountability.

No gift of the Spirit makes its recipient infallible or places that person above the authority of Scripture. Prophetic utterances and other claims of spiritual revelation must be weighed and tested by the Church. All things are to be done decently and in order, with the ultimate aim of glorifying Jesus Christ and building up His people.

Scriptural Foundation:

• 1 Corinthians 12:4–11

• 1 Corinthians 12:27–31

• 1 Corinthians 13:1–13

• 1 Corinthians 14:1–5

• 1 Corinthians 14:26–33

• 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22

Section 9. The Holy Spirit, Prayer, and Intercession

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes that the Holy Spirit helps believers in their weakness and assists them in prayer according to the will of God. When believers do not know how to pray as they ought, the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to God's purposes.

The Holy Spirit also enables believers to pray with spiritual fervency, to persevere in faith, and to draw near to God in dependence upon His grace. Prayer in the Spirit is to be exercised with faith, reverence, and submission to God's will.

The Spirit's ministry of intercession reminds the Church that prayer is not merely a human effort but an essential part of the believer's life in communion with God.

Scriptural Foundation:

• Romans 8:26–27

• Ephesians 6:18

• Jude 20–21

• 1 Corinthians 14:14–15

Section 10. The Fruit and Sanctifying Work of the Holy Spirit

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes that the Holy Spirit works in believers to produce spiritual maturity, holiness, and the character of Jesus Christ. The evidence of the Spirit's transforming work includes the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

Spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit must not be separated. Gifts serve the work of ministry, while the fruit of the Spirit reveals the transforming work of God in the believer's character. The exercise of spiritual gifts without love, holiness, and accountability does not reflect the fullness of Christian maturity.

Every believer is called to walk in the Spirit, resist the works of the flesh, and submit continually to God's sanctifying work. The Church must cultivate an environment in which spiritual power and Christlike character are pursued together.

Scriptural Foundation:

• Galatians 5:16–25

• Romans 8:12–14

• 2 Corinthians 3:17–18

• Ephesians 5:8–10

• 1 Peter 1:14–16

Formal Doctrinal Declaration

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL confesses the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Trinity, fully divine and active in creation, redemption, regeneration, sanctification, and the continuing ministry of the Church. He is the Comforter and Spirit of Truth, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; brings about the new birth; indwells and seals believers; bears witness to their adoption as children of God; teaches and guides them in accordance with Holy Scripture; and intercedes according to the will of God.

We affirm that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a continuing promise for believers today, distinct from the new birth and given for empowerment in witness and ministry, with speaking in tongues as its initial physical evidence. We affirm the continuing availability of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, exercised in biblical order, love, holiness, discernment, and accountability. We believe that the Spirit's work produces Christlike character and equips the Church to proclaim the gospel, serve humanity, and glorify Jesus Christ.

Scriptural Foundation: John 14:16–17, 26; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1–4; Romans 8:14–16, 26–27; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Galatians 5:22–25; Ephesians 1:13–14.