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The Church: Kingdom of God

What is the role of the fiery Holy Spirit in the Church?

Q477 · The Church: The Kingdom of God

St. John Chrysostom talks about the impact of this heavenly fire on the life of the Church, explaining that it gives the believer strength which he can challenge the world and all the forces of darkness with, so that he may walk in the spirit of victory, enjoying fellowship with the heavenly ones. “Let us then stretch our mind towards Heaven, let us be held fast by that desire, let us clothe ourselves with spiritual fire, let us gird ourselves with its flame. No man who bears flame fears those who meet him; be it wild beast, be it man, be it snares innumerable, so long as he is armed with fire, all things stand out of his way, all things retire. The flame is intolerable, the fire cannot be endured, it consumes all. With this fire let us clothe ourselves, offering up glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, be glory, might, honor, now and ever and world without end.”951

The Fathers cited

  • St. John Chrysostom