What Does It Mean to Believe in the Holy Spirit and the Church?

The Apostles' Creed closes with a powerful declaration: belief in the Holy Spirit, the church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the body. These phrases may sound familiar, but their meaning runs deep. Here is a closer look at what each part means and why it matters for followers of Jesus today.

What Is the Apostles' Creed and Why Does It Matter?

The Apostles' Creed developed as an early response to false teachings that were confusing people about who Jesus was and what He taught. Followers of Jesus began appealing to the same passages and ideas to defend the true faith, and those shared phrases eventually came together as the Creed. It was later formalized and expanded at church councils.

While Baptist churches do not always recite the Creed, its core statements reflect what Scripture teaches about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Walking through it carefully can strengthen and clarify what Christians believe.

What Does "I Believe in the Holy Spirit" Actually Mean?

The Holy Spirit is God's presence given directly to disciples of Jesus. When someone places their faith in Christ, the Spirit comes to live within them. As Paul writes, the body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit.

The work of the Spirit is focused and purposeful. The Spirit calls people to faith in Jesus, unites believers as a family, and empowers them to live as Christ's people on this earth. The Spirit is constantly working to carry on Christ's mission in the world.

What Does "Holy Catholic Church" Mean for Baptists?

This phrase is often a stumbling block for Baptists and other Protestants. It is important to understand that the word "catholic" in the Creed is not referring to the Roman Catholic Church. The word comes from the Greek word catholicos , a compound of kata (meaning "according to") and holos (meaning "whole"). Together, it simply means "according to the whole" or "universal."

Even John Calvin, one of the great Protestant Reformers, affirmed this idea. He wrote that the church is called Catholic or universal because there could not be two or three churches unless Christ be torn asunder, which cannot happen.

Jesus Himself prayed for the unity of His followers. In John 10, He speaks of calling His sheep by name and says He has other sheep from all over the world that He will unite as a single flock under a single shepherd. The Creed captures this same truth. All genuine followers of Jesus are united as God's family, as Christ's body, and as the new temple of the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus declared in Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV): "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Jesus' authority is universal. His church, therefore, is meant to be universal under His authority.

What Is the "Communion of Saints"?

The communion of saints speaks to the relationships and practices that flow from belonging to Christ's body. The gospel announcement that Jesus is King, crucified, risen, and enthroned comes through human beings who have responded to that gospel. God did not send angels to preach. He sent people, and those people call others into His family.

In practical terms, none of us can maintain meaningful relationships with every follower of Jesus across the world or throughout history. But we can and must build real relationships with the people who are following Jesus near us. This is the heart of the local church.

To confess belief in the communion of saints is to confess that we need one another. We need to spend time together. We need to work on relationships that rise to the level of who we are in Christ. That takes time and humility, but it is essential to what it means to follow Jesus.

What Does the Forgiveness of Sins Mean in This Context?

Those who respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ receive God's promise of forgiveness. Jesus purchased forgiveness through His death on the cross. During His earthly ministry, He even claimed the authority to forgive sins, saying that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.

But forgiveness is not only something we receive. It is something we are called to extend. The community of believers is meant to be a forgiven family of forgivers. We have been forgiven, and so we forgive. This is not optional. It is central to what it means to live as Christ's people.

What Does the Bible Say About the Resurrection of the Body?

Jesus conquered death. He claimed authority to raise the dead and modeled living in hope of the resurrection. Because He rose, those who belong to Him can also anticipate rising from the dead.

It is worth noting that eternal life is not a disembodied existence. It is not life as a Spirit floating somewhere apart from the body. Eternal life is an embodied life in the new creation. When Scripture speaks of living forever, it speaks of resurrected human beings in a renewed world. This is the hope that followers of Jesus carry.

Because of this, the church is a victory-proclaiming family that is unafraid to die. Not because of anything impressive about us, but because we belong to the One who died and was raised. We proclaim victory even in suffering and death because we trust that in Christ we will be raised.

What Does Acts 2 Teach Us About the Holy Spirit and the Church?

In Acts 2, Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost and declares the resurrection and lordship of Jesus. He concludes in verses 38-39 (NIV): "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call."

About three thousand people responded that day and were added to the community of believers. The clearest sign that Jesus is risen and reigning is that His church exists, filled with and empowered by the Spirit He pours out. If nothing is happening on earth in the name of Jesus, people have reason to wonder whether the resurrection made any difference. But a church empowered by the Spirit is living evidence that Jesus is Lord.

How Does This Apply to Individual Believers?

The evidence that Jesus is Lord of your life is that you practice your love for Jesus by following Him. You show that love toward His followers and you draw more people into His family. As Jesus Himself asked, why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?

The Holy Spirit is at work right now, transforming people to be the family of Jesus and drawing more people into that family. The question for every believer is whether they are working with the Spirit in that mission or working against it.

Life Application

This week, take one concrete step to live out the communion of saints. Reach out to someone in your church community you have been meaning to connect with but have not. Invite them to coffee, send an encouraging message, or simply pray for them by name each day this week. The Spirit is building a family. Be an active part of that work.

Ask yourself these questions as you reflect on this message:

1. Am I genuinely building relationships with other followers of Jesus, or am I treating church as something I attend rather than a family I belong to?
2. Is there someone I need to extend forgiveness to this week, as someone who has been forgiven much?
3. What does my daily life say about whether Jesus is truly Lord? Am I following Him, or just calling Him Lord?
4. How am I actively participating in what the Holy Spirit is doing to draw people into the family of Jesus?

Believing in the Holy Spirit is not simply a statement of doctrine. It is a call to live as people who are filled, united, forgiven, and sent. The Spirit is moving. The question is whether we are moving with Him.