From the ceasing of sin, to the perfect peace, the joy, the assurance of being sons and daughters of God in the righteousness of Christ, , Amazing grace of God from the time we receive Christ to be born again to the time when we present that faith back to Him, , all by the loving assistance of His precious Holy Spirit! Hallelujah! Amen!
How wonderful is the filling of the Holy Spirit, the amazing 'knowing' that Christ is risen. The assurance, joy, and perfect peace, yes it is so precious. All anxiety goes and is driven away, all praise to our wonderful Lord.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers the church, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit who was with them will be in them. This was known as an anointing in the Old Testament, we know the Holy Spirit installed the prophets. The manifestations, aka gifts of the Holy Spirit, are for building up the church. Being born again and going on to bear fruilt of the spirit are involved in salvation, the baptism of the Spirit is being equipped for service.
I don’t wish to de-emphasize Quietbloke’s OP point, that the indication of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a separate distinction from the new "Commonwealth" in Christ (Ep 2:12). As Mark mentioned, Baptism in the Holy Spirit is essential to the success of Christianity, but it is glaringly clear people absolutely refuse to examine this openly and the modern Church has for far too long been comfortable to reject by conveniently snipping away the second greatest Gift she was ever shown.
The New Testament does emphasize that Christ and the Apostles are the foundation of the church, described figuratively as God's Temple. When Solomon dedicated the Temple at Jerusalem he prayed, LORD the whole heavens cannot contain you, how much less this Temple made with human hands. When Jesus died the veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place was torn in two. As Solomon expected, God got out and the Holy Spirit came to us to apply the completed work of Christ according to the will of the Father.
