On This Day: The Unique and Universal of the Spirit

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

   The apostle Paul gave us the picture of the church as “a holy temple in the Lord… a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22). He also clarified that the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (vs 20). 

   This means we have three distinct parts. Jesus is the cornerstone that makes the structure true. The apostles and prophets are the foundation, uniquely attached to Jesus for their foundational work. The “household of God” (vs 19) is built on what was laid down by Jesus and the apostles. 

   Peter gives a synonymous picture of this when he writes, 

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:4-5).

Believers are “living stones” in the building of God.

   I clarify this distinction because, when we look at the Holy Spirit in Jesus that relationship is unique to him in his cornerstone ministry and work. At the same time, it gives us amazing illustrations of what it looks like for a human being to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, albeit never with the same calling as the Savior.

   When we look at the apostles, there are also clear aspects of their assignment that were unique to them. At the same time, so much of what they did is still exemplary of the Spirit-filled life for all believers even to this day.

   However, once we come to the “living stones” who make up the “holy temple in the Lord,” we must see the necessity of accepting the uniqueness of each person’s spiritual gifts along with the universal calling for us to all use our gifts as fully as they are given. 

   I know God is applying this very personally as I explore how to understand my spiritual gifts and to be filled with the Spirit when I serve God’s people in love. It is a relational way of life for the church because it is in the image of the Triune God. As “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” prophesied the triunity of God in the ministry of the Messiah, we must grow in unity and harmony as we follow our Savior’s unique example in our universal applications of ministry in the body of Christ.

© 2025 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8

Email: in2freedom@gmail.com 

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.)