How do we know the Holy Spirit is given to the church?

The giving of the Holy Spirit to the church is a foundational truth of Christian doctrine, prominently featured in Acts 2. On the day of Pentecost, as the believers gathered in prayer and unity, the Holy Spirit descended upon them in a remarkable manner, evidenced by the sound of a rushing mighty wind and tongues of fire as each believer was filled with the Spirit. This event marks the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise found in John 16:7, where He states that it is necessary for Him to go away so that the Comforter may come. The empowerment of the apostles by the Holy Spirit enabled them to proclaim the Gospel boldly, leading to the conversion of around three thousand souls in one day (Acts 2:41). Thus, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit serves as the divine guarantee that God is actively working in and through His church.