The Bible uses deeply personal language connecting the church to Jesus. The church is the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and the people of God. But how does the Bible connect God’s people to the Holy Spirit? By calling us the Spirit’s temple.
When the Bible talks about the people of God as the temple of the Holy Spirit, it is meant both individually and corporately. That is, the Holy Spirit indwells, or is present within me personally, and within all of us who make up the church locally and universally.
Because the Holy Spirit lives within us, we live our lives differently than before.
He causes us to bear the virtuous fruit that comes only by the indwelling work of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
He speaks to our consciences, warning us away from sin.
He helps us to understand the Bible, making known the will of God to us.
And He equips individual members of the church with gifts for the work of the ministry (1 Cor. 12:11).