AN INTRODUCTION TO PNEUMATOLOGY

 

AN INTRODUCTION TO PNEUMATOLOGY

WRITTEN BY REV FR UTAZI PRINCE BENIGNUS ZEREUWA

Updated May 26 2022

Ascension Thursday

INTRODUCTION: WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT

Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit

The term pneumatology comes from two Greek words, namely, pneuma meaning “wind,” “breath,” or “spirit” (used of the Holy Spirit) and logos meaning “word,” “matter,” or “thing.” As it is used in Christian systematic theology, “pneumatology” refers to the study of the biblical doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Generally this includes such topics as the personality of the Spirit, the deity of the Spirit, and the work of the Spirit throughout Scripture.

The Holy Spirit cannot be defined. I have tried to see the possibility of defining the Holy Spirit, but it is not working out. Therefore, I can only say that one can only describe the Holy Spirit.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) no. 683 says: Knowledge of faith is possible only in the Holy Spirit: to be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit. He comes to meet us and kindle faith in us. Come, Holy Spirit! Yes, in any discernment of God's call, we need to call on the Holy Spirit to come to fill and inspire us. Do we think to call on the Holy Spirit? Pentecost reminds us to do this not just on one feast during the year . . . but every day.

The Holy Spirit can also be seen as God's gift (cf. John 20:22)

CCC no. 733 says:  God is Love and love is his first gift, containing all others. God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 

CCC no. 734 identifies one of the roles of the Holy Spirit thus:  Because we are dead or at least wounded through sin, the first effect of the gift of love is the forgiveness of our sins. The communion of the Holy Spirit in the Church restores to the baptized the divine likeness lost through sin.

Again, CCC no. 736 says: By this power of the Spirit, God's children can bear much fruit. He who has grafted us onto the true vine will make us bear the fruit of the Spirit: . . . love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. We live by the Spirit; the more we renounce ourselves, the more we walk by the Spirit. 

It follows that, through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children, given confidence to call God "Father" and to share in Christ's grace, called children of light and given a share in eternal glory. 

The Latin word spiritus means breath. Using this reference, The Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen wrote in The Divine Romance (1930) about the love between God the Father and Jesus: Love at such a stage does not speak; does not cry; does not express itself by words, nor by canticles; it expresses itself as we do in some ineffable moments, by that which indicates the very exhaustion of our giving  namely, a sigh, or a breath. And that is why the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity is called the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost.

God created man to know him, love him, and serve him in this life, and then be eternally united with him in the next life. The path of every human life starts with God and is meant to end with him in heaven. Each believers salvation journey is unique, but all start through their belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and continue with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who is a gift of love sent by the Father to those who seek him: So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. ... If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:9,10,13).

Indeed as an equal part of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit is a divine and powerful person. He has been present throughout salvation history from Genesis to Revelation, and still with us today. He has spoken Gods words through the prophets of the Old Testament and communicated with the Apostles.  Present in the sacraments and liturgy of the Church, the Holy Spirit also protects the content of the faith from generation to generation. He provides us with the gifts, grace, and whole armor of God necessary to help us fight sin and temptation while protecting us from evil:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:10-17).

It is also important to remember that the Holy Spirit is a powerful intercessor and prayer partner who knows what you need even when you cannot articulate it. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Rom 8:26-27).

A guiding light on the path to salvation, the Holy Spirit stays with us always even when we stray from the path. 

TOPIC 1: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SANCTIFIER

The Holy Spirit is the sanctifier, who was sent by the Father and Son to complete the work of the Son.  He makes "holy."  As Pope John Paul II has written, "Having accomplished the work that the Father had entrusted to the Son on earth (John 17:4), on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was sent to sanctify the Church for ever, so that believers might have access to the Father through Christ in one Spirit" (Eph. 2:18).  The Church has always taught that we receive the Holy Spirit through the sacrament (a sharing in the life of God; an outward sign that produces grace in us) of Baptism.  The waters of Baptism signify the cleansing of our soul of original sin [which all humans inherit from Adam and Eve, our first parents].  St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, tells us that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit in our baptism. This reality is signified by the holy oil which is traced on the forehead of the person being baptized in the form of a cross.  The sacrament imparts an indelible character.  God's life comes to us and makes us "children of God" and "heirs with Christ."  St. Peter makes the comparison to the waters which saved Noah from physical death, proclaiming that in the spiritual realm of our soul, "baptism now saves you" (1 Peter 3:21).  The Spirit also imparts the gifts of faith, hope and charity, enabling us to grow in our relationship with God and with one another.

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit enables us as Christians to become fruitful members of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. The mystical Body of Christ that St. Paul writes about in Scripture consists of the Old Testament and New Testament Saints in Heaven as well as the baptized Christian followers of Our Lord here on earth, the Church. As St. Paul notes, we, the Church, are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses in Heaven (Heb. 11).  The Holy Spirit dwelling within us can and does transform our lives, the Church and the world. St. Paul also urges that, We live by the Spirit.  We do this when we renounce ourselves, the more we walk by the Spirit. (Gal 5:25).  This power is not confined to the sacraments. There is an experience sometimes referred to as the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit."  As St. Thomas Aquinas notes the Holy Spirit can be given or sent to us to indwell us and "make us new." This begins at our Baptism, but the Spirit can be given or sent after this according to St. Thomas, who wrote,  The is an invisible sending [of the Holy Spirit] also in respect to an advance in virtue or an increase of grace . . . Such an invisible sending is especially to be seen in that kind of increase of grace whereby a person moves forward to some new act or new state of grace: as, for instance, when a person moves forward into the grace of working miracles, or of prophecy or out of the burning love of God offers his life as a martyr, or renounces all of his possessions, or undertakes some other such arduous thing.  Christ's promise of another Paraclete, an Advocate, was fulfilled on Pentecost for the Apostles and Mary, who had been praying fervently for nine days. This extra measure of the Spirit seems to have been conferred in other places in the Acts of the Apostles (e.g., Acts 4:31; 19:1-7). The Holy Spirit then can make us new when we surrender to God and serve Him with our whole heart, thus aiding our personal holiness (without which no man can see God) and the work of the Church. This, however, does not take the place of sacramental Baptism or Confirmation, but rather is a way of opening ourselves up further to the life in the Spirit.  This may be experienced by an overwhelming sense of the presence and love of God, or a sense of being filled with joy and peace.  In Scripture, we see it was accompanied at times by the gift of speaking in tongues. As the Catechism says, The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit which make us more willing to be led by the Spirit.  St. Paul wrote, For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God . . . If children, then heirs, heirs with God and fellow heirs with Christ (Rom 8:14, 17).

HOW CAN I RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

The two important questions that can be answered are: (1) What does it mean to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? (2) How do we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? Our focus will be on the book of Acts and on Lukes intention as he wrote it.

In this chapter, we are talking of how to receive the Holy Spirit as stated in the Scriptures.

A. Pray to God, Find Bible verses and Believe the verses. To receive the Holy Spirit from God, we must first pray to God for it.  We must study the Word of God about it and believe the Word of God.

In this process, we must not get any help from other people. It is because of Satans messengers called demons, who become one with humans, without us knowing, and manipulate our heart as well as others to keep us from knowing the biblical truth or to mislead us by putting demons ideas into the heart of us and others. Even when we received the Holy Spirit, we dont know for sure who the main agent of our words and actions is unless God teaches us whether the agent is us, demons, or the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we cannot trust ourselves, let alone others. Only the Lord God and Jesus can be trusted.

The giver of the Holy Spirit (Num. 11:24-29, 2Cor1:21-22, Acts 5:32, Acts15:8-9, 2Cor. 5:5, 1Thess. 4:18). 

The giver of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8, John 1:33, Acts11:15-16, Acts1:5, Acts 2:33, John 15:26). 

Being filled with Holy Spirit: (Jer. 23:9, Matt. 10:20, John 14:16-20, Luke 1:41-42, Luke 1:67-68, Acts 4:8-10; 7:55-56; 13:9-11; 8:26-39, Luke 4:1-4, Mark 1:12-13)

Who is the Holy Spirit? (Isaiah 11:2, John14:26, Luke 4:16-19, Isaiah 61:1-2, John l2:28-32, Acts 2:16-21)

The will of God: 1Pet. 3:17, 1Thess 4:3-4, 1Thess 5:16-18, John 6:38-40, 1Pet 4:1-3, 2Pet 3:9, 1Tim 2:4, Psalm 81:13, Hoses 6:6, Matt. 9:13, Matt. 12:7, Deut. 5:29, John 6:29, Rom 8:8-9, Heb. 11:6; 13:16, Prov. 21:3, Jeremiah 9:24, Psalm 147:11, 1Pet 2:5, Rom 12:1)

B. How to find the Bible verses.  The conditions for God to give us the Holy Spirit include obedience to God, repentance, and believing in the Jesus. If you want to know the meaning of obedience to God, you must first pray, God! Please reveal to me the meaning of obedience to God Then, you can look for the Bible verses about obedience to God.

C. How to learn from God. As mentioned above, looking for relevant Bible verses after praying to God about a certain topic is the way we can learn the Bible from God. That is also a way for us to meet Jesus. (Psalm 53:2, 2Chron. 16:9, Prov. 2:1-9, John 6:45). It is a way for us to gain freedom from the slavery to sin by Jesus grace. (John 8:31-36, Rom 6:1-23, Luke 4:16-21, Rom. 7:1-25, Gal. 5:1-26, Acts 15:11, John 1:17, 2Cor8:9, 1Cor. 10:26-31, Rom 5:17-21). Through this process, we are born again as new creations by faith according to Gods law. And we start to practice faith accompanied by action and live a righteous life.  By Gods grace, we communicate with God and receive Gods guidance and protection. We are given the right to enter the heavenly kingdom and receive eternal life. 

Being born again: 1Pet1:23, Mt4:4, Duet. 8:2-3, Tit 3:4-5, 1Pet 1:3, John 3:1-8, Tit3:5

New creations: Col. 3:5-10, 1 Sam 10:6-10, Eph. 4:15-32, Eph. 2:10-13, 2 Cor. 5:17, Mark 2:21-22)

The guidance of the Holy Spirit: 1John 4:4, John 14:16-20, Matt. 12:28-29, John 16:13; 14:26, 1John 2:27, Acts 2:17-18.

TOPIC 2: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Receiving the Spirit Is a Life-Changing Experience. This is why Paul can say in Acts 19:2 when he meets the confused disciples of John the Baptist, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? How could Paul ask that question? He could ask it, I think, because receiving the Holy Spirit is a real experience. There are marks of it in your life. And the best way to test the faith of these so-called disciples is to ask them about their experience of the Spirit.

Heartfelt praise and worship is the mark of a real experience of the Holy Spirit. This is no different than what Paul said in Romans 8:14, All who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5 and 1 John 3:24; 4:1213). I sometimes fear that we have so redefined conversion in terms of human decisions and have so removed any necessity of the experience of Gods Spirit, that many people think they are saved when in fact they only have Christian ideas in their head not spiritual power in their heart.

The really valuable contribution of the Charismatic renewal is their relentless emphasis on the truth that receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit is a real, life-changing experience. Christianity is not merely an array of glorious ideas. It is not merely the performance of rituals and sacraments. It is the life-changing experience of the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ the Lord of the universe, in and through the word of God and the Sacraments. 

TWO THINGS THAT CHARACTERIZE THIS EXPERIENCE

We could talk for hours about what that experience is. 

A. A heart of praise: One is a heart of praise. In Acts 10:46 the disciples knew the Holy Spirit had fallen because they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling (or magnifying) God. Speaking in tongues is one particular way of releasing the heart of praise. It may be present or may not. But one thing is sure: the heart in which the Holy Spirit has been poured out will stop magnifying self and start magnifying God. Heartfelt praise and worship is the mark of a real experience of the Holy Spirit.

B. Obedience: In Acts 5:29 Peter and the apostles say to the Sadducees who had arrested them, We must obey God rather than men. Then in verse 32 he says, We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God gave to those who are obeying him. (Gave is past tense; obey is present, ongoing tense.) It is inevitable that when the object of your hearts worship changes, your obedience changes. When Jesus baptizes you in the Holy Spirit, and infuses you with a new sense of the glory of God, you have a new desire and a new power (Acts 1:8) to obey. Whether or not you speak in tongues, these two things will be your experience if you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit  a new desire to magnify God in worship and a powerful disposition to obey God in everyday life.

HOW TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

I will say this by pointing you to Peters instructions for how to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:3841.

a. The word of God must be heard. Peter has preached that in Gods plan Jesus was crucified, raised, and exalted as Lord over all the universe and that forgiveness of sin and spiritual renewal can be had from him. The Word has been heard.

Meditate on what God has said in the Spirit-inspired scriptures. God has established a life-giving connection between his Spirit and his word. Jesus said in John 6:63, It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. Or consider the parallel between Ephesians 5:18 and Colossians 3:16. Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart. (Ephesians 5:1819; Colossians 3:16) 

b. The sovereign God must call men and women to himself, or they will never come. Acts 2:39 says, The promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, everyone to whom the Lord our God calls to him. No one comes to faith in Christ unless the Father draws him (John 6:44, 65). The preached word is heard with conviction and power only when the effectual call of God lays hold on the hearers.

c. We must receive the word. Acts 2:41:So those who received his word were baptized. Receiving the Word means that it becomes part of you so that you trust the Christ the Word of God presents. You trust his provision for your forgiveness. You trust his path for your life. You trust his power to help you obey. And you trust his promises for your future. And that radical commitment to Christ always involves repentance  a turning away from your own self-wrought provisions and paths and powers and promises. And when you really turn to Christ for new paths and new power, you open yourself to the Holy Spirit, because it is by his Spirit that Christ guides and empowers.

Believe what you hear and see in the word. In Galatians 3:5 Paul asked, Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? So, the Holy Spirit is supplied to us and works powerfully in us as we hear the word with faith  as we believe it. Stephen was described as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5). Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24). Those pairings of faith and Spirit are not coincidental. And Galatians 3:14 says that we receive the promised Spirit through faith. So, as we meditate on the word of God, faith comes by that word (Romans 10:17), and in and by this faith we experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. So we seek him by meditation on the word, and belief in what we hear and see.

d. We must give an open expression of faith in the act of water baptism in obedience to Jesus Christ. Baptism is the universal experience of all Christians in the New Testament. There were no unbaptized Christians after Pentecost. Christ had commanded it (Matthew 28:1820) and the church practiced it. So we do today.

Hold fast in Obedience to what you have heard and believed.  One of the disciples asked Jesus in John 14:22, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world? Jesus answered him, If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14:23). 

For those who love Christ and keep his word, there is a special intimacy of love given by the Father. 

e. Desire the Spirit. In all this meditating and believing and obeying, desire all that God is for you and has for you in him. Thirst for him. If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. . .. Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive (John 7:37, 39). Thirst for him. As the Psalm says, Drink from the river of [his] delights (Psalm 36:8).

Therefore, I invite you to experience the greatest thing in the world: Repent, trust Christ, open yourself to the power of his Spirit, be baptized in his name, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

TOPIC 3: THE GIFTS AND FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

The Spiritual gifts are powerful instruments of the work of the Spirit in the Church. St. Paul wrote, "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit. There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are different ministries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone.  To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one the Spirit gives wisdom in discourse, to another power to express knowledge.  Through the Spirit one receives faith; by the same Spirit another is given the gift of healing, and still another miraculous powers.  Prophecy is given to one; to another power to distinguish one spirit from another.  One receives the gift of tongues another that of interpreting the tongues."  St. Paul goes on to say, "We all drink of the same Spirit . . . we don't all have the gift of tongues, set your hearts on the greater gifts . . ." (1 Corinthians 12: 3-11). What Paul was referring to he makes clear, namely love.  Love is the greatest gift of all. But what about the gift of tongues?  Must I speak in tongues to be Christian?  Paul says, "If I speak in human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Cor. 13: 1-2).  As to tongues, Paul notes that a man speaking in tongues is talking not to men but to God. No one understands him because he utters mysteries in the Spirit. The prophet on the other hand, speaks to men for their up-building . . . He who speaks in tongues builds up himself, but he who prophesies builds up the church (1 Cor. 14: 2-4).  Those with the gift of tongues are counseled to pray for the gift of interpretation so that others might benefit.  St. Paul concludes, but in the church I would rather say five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. . . . The gift of tongues is a sign, not for those who believe but for those who do not believe, while prophecy is not for those who are without faith but for those who have faith (1 Cor. 14:18, 22).

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

The Church teaches that one receives the gifts of the Spirit at baptism and that these gifts are strengthened at confirmation, so that one can proclaim the truths of the faith. The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For 'by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed' (Catechism of the Catholic Church no.1285).

Through prayer, humility and a deep desire for the things of God one is able to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit are to be used to work towards the reign of God in the world today. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are:

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are of two kinds: the first are specially intended for the sanctification of the person who receives them; the second, more properly called charismata, are extraordinary favours granted for the help of another, favours, too, which do not sanctify by themselves, and may even be separated from sanctifying grace. Those of the first class are accounted seven in number, as enumerated by Isaiah (11:2-3), where the prophet sees and describes them in the Messiahs. They are the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety (godliness), and fear of the Lord. The gift of wisdom, by detaching us from the world, makes us relish and love only the things of heaven. The gift of understanding helps us to grasp the truths of religion as far as is necessary. The gift of counsel springs from supernatural prudence, and enables us to see and choose correctly what will help most to the glory of God and our own salvation. By the gift of fortitude we receive courage to overcome the obstacles and difficulties that arise in the practice of our religious duties. The gift of knowledge points out to us the path to follow and the dangers to avoid in order to reach heaven. The gift of piety, by inspiring us with a tender and filial confidence in God, makes us joyfully embrace all that pertains to His service. Lastly, the gift of fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread, above all things, to offend Him.

THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE:

Wisdom: to guide one in discerning Gods will

Understanding: gives one insight into the teachings of the Christian faith

Counsel: gives one the ability and knowledge of what to do in a variety of situations

Fortitude: gives one the strength to obey and to do Gods will at all times

Knowledge: gives one the ability to discern the will of God in all things

Piety: helps one to deepen their love for God

Fear of the Lord: helps one to avoid sin and to dread offending God

As to the inner nature of these gifts, theologians consider them to be supernatural and permanent qualities, which make us attentive to the voice of God, which render us susceptible to the workings of actual grace, which make us love the things of God, and, consequently, render us more obedient and docile to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost. 

The gifts of the second class, or charismata, are known to us partly from St. Paul, and partly from the history of the primitive Church, in the bosom of which God plentifully bestowed them. Of these "manifestations of the Spirit", "all these things [that] one and the same Spirit worked, dividing to everyone according as he will", the Apostle speaks to us, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12:6-11 and 12:28-31; and Romans 12:6-8. 

In the first of these three passages we find nine charismata mentioned: the gift of speaking with wisdom, the gift of speaking with knowledge, faith, the grace of healing, the gift of miracles, the gift of prophecy, the gift of discerning spirits, the gift of tongues, the gift of interpreting speeches. To this list we must at least add, as being found in the other two passages indicated, the gift of government, the gift of helps, and perhaps what Paul calls distributio and misericordia. 

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOOK OF GALATIANS

Paul illustrates with these attributes the kind of love that marks a true Christian life. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

Love

True, biblical love is a choice, not a feeling. It deliberately expresses itself in loving ways and always seeks the welfare of others. Biblical love is dependent on the givers character, not emotion. For instance, a mature believer demonstrating love will not exercise his or her freedom if that action might harm another Christian in some way. Rather than risking the possibility of causing the immature Christian to question and stumble, the mature believer will not exercise his freedom out of love for his brother (Romans 14:1-15; Philippians 2:1-3).

Joy

The Greek word translated as joy in Galatians 5 means gladness and delight  basically the same thing the world means when it talks about joy. It is a feeling of gladness based on our circumstances. Sadly, the worlds joy cannot last because it is based on fleeting, physical circumstances. But the joy of the Lord is established in our spiritual, eternal circumstances. As we cling tight to Jesus, abiding daily in our saving relationship with Him, we will experience the fullness of joy He promised (John 15:4-11). 

Peace

The world cannot give peace because the world does not know the One who is peace. But for those who have the Spirit of peace within us, the peace of Christ is possible, no matter our circumstances (John 14:27). We can reject the chaos of the world and embrace Gods peace. The book of Philippians tells us how (Philippians 4:4-9). First, choose to rejoice in God and who He is. Second, bring all your worries, fears, and concerns to God in prayer. Third, fill your mind with Gods truth. And fourth, choose to think about the things of God.

Patience

We do not see much patience in the world today, not even in the church. Maybe part of the reason is our fast-paced, want-it-now culture. But Christians have everything we need to be patient because we have the Holy Spirit living in us longing to display His character to those around us. Patient people put up with circumstances and other people, even when severely tried. Patient people display endurance, longsuffering, and perseverance. The New Testament also specifically connects patience with sharing the Gospel. God is patient as He waits for the lost to come to Him (2 Peter 3:9) and He calls His people to be patient as we extend the offer of salvation in Christ to others (2 Timothy 4:20)

Kindness and Goodness

The characteristics of kindness and goodness are closely related. Together they present the picture of one who not only possesses moral goodness and integrity, but also generously expresses it in the way they act toward others. This goodness in action reflects Gods kindness and goodness toward us. God demonstrated His kindness and goodness to us in our salvation (Titus 3:4) and will continue to show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us for all eternity (Ephesians 2:7)!

Faithfulness

To be faithful is to be reliable or trustworthy. For the Christian, this is faithfulness specifically to the Savior who redeemed us. Christian faithfulness therefore, is continued and consistent submission and obedience to the same Spirit who provides the ability for us to be faithful. This attitude is in direct contrast to our previous faithfulness to our own sinful desires and ways. The word also describes someone willing to suffer persecution and even death for Christs sake. Therefore, among Gods churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring." (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

Gentleness/Meekness

Closely linked to humility, gentleness is grace of the soul. It is not weakness, but instead it is strength under control. For instance, in Pauls second letter to Timothy, he wrote that the Lords servant will correct his opponents with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:25). And in Pauls letter to the church in Galatia, he wrote that those who have been caught in sin should be restored in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). Gentleness, being the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest, is also a key ingredient in unity and peace within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:2).

Self-Control

The last characteristic in Pauls description of the fruit of the Spirit points us back to his list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. Those of us with the indwelling Holy Spirit has the strength to control our sinful desires, to say no to our flesh. Self-control gives us the power to say yes to the Spirit and foster a beautiful, bountiful harvest of spiritual fruit!

Paul illustrates with these attributes the kind of love that marks a true Christian life. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

TOPIC 4: THE ACTIVITIES (ROLES AND FUNCTIONS) OF THE HOLY SPIRIT [THE HOLY SPIRITS ACTIVITY IN SALVATION HISTORY]

The Holy Spirit has been around from before the beginning of time and has been made manifest throughout the history of our Universe.  Lets look at the various ways the Holy Spirit has been at work.

A. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CREATION

The Spirit breathed on the waters at the beginning of Creation and is responsible for the principle of life.  If you think hard about it, you will discover that life is hard to define.  What actually gives life?  What sustains life?  Be it plants, animals or humans, no scientific discovery can unmask the actual principle of life itself.  Much can be said about living creatures and how they work from a scientific perspective.  But why they work is another question.  And the answer is the Holy Spirit who animates and sustains all life.

B. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE LAW AND THEOPHANIES

Promise, Theophanies, and the Law: God spoke to Moses, Joshua and the great prophets in various ways. These manifestations of Gods presence are theophanies. The law, given through Moses, was also a manifestation of Gods order and direction. All of these point to the promise of Gods future gift of salvation. A theophany is a manifestation of God, by the working of the Holy Spirit, pointing to the promise of God that will ultimately be fulfilled by the Holy Spirit.

C. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE KINGDOMS

Kingdom: The kingdoms of the Old Testament also pointed to the promise of the one eternal Kingdom which would be established by Christ and orchestrated by the Holy Spirit.  These O.T. kingdoms would fall as people failed to live by the law which was revealed by the Spirit.  Thus, their inability to keep the law was a sign they needed more.  They needed the fullness of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  This pointed over and over again to the need for a Messiah.  That Messiah would come and, in the end, bestow the Holy Spirit.

D. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

John was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mothers womb.  He was the greatest of the prophets who spoke with the anointing of the Spirit of God.  It is by Johns hand that Jesus was baptized after which the Holy Spirit descended in manifest form.

E. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND JESUS

Jesus is the Anointed One.  He is filled with the Holy Spirit and one with the Holy Spirit.  At His baptism, the Spirit descends in fullness upon Him.  Not that the Holy Spirit wasnt already with Him fully.  Rather, this was a manifestation of the Spirit who was already with Jesus revealing this reality.  Jesus promised His Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to His disciples.  In the end, at His death He gave up His Spirit.  And after His Resurrection He breathed the Spirit on the Apostles and promised to send His Spirit on all as He was preparing to ascend into Heaven.

F. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH CCC 737-745

The mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit is brought to completion in the Church, which is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. This joint mission henceforth brings Christ's faithful to share in his communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to them, recalls his word to them and opens their minds to the understanding of his Death and Resurrection. He makes present the mystery of Christ, supremely in the Eucharist, in order to reconcile them, to bring them into communion with God, that they may bear much fruit.

G. THE CHURCH ANNOUNCES THE GOOD NEWS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Thus the Church's mission is not an addition to that of Christ and the Holy Spirit, but is its sacrament: in her whole being and in all her members, the Church is sent to announce, bear witness, make present, and spread the mystery of the communion of the Holy Trinity.

Because the Holy Spirit is the anointing of Christ, it is Christ who, as the head of the Body, pours out the Spirit among his members to nourish, heal, and organize them in their mutual functions, to give them life, send them to bear witness, and associate them to his self-offering to the Father and to his intercession for the whole world. Through the Church's sacraments, Christ communicates his Holy and sanctifying Spirit to the members of his Body. 

H. THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES THE CHURCH WHEN THE CHURCH IS PRAYING

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with sighs too deep for words.  The Holy Spirit, the artisan of God's works, is the master of prayer.  In the fullness of time the Holy Spirit completes in Mary all the preparations for Christ's coming among the People of God. By the action of the Holy Spirit in her, the Father gives the world Emmanuel God-with-us (Matt 1:23).

I. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE INCARNATION (HOLY SPIRIT AND BLESSED VIRGIN MARY)

The Holy Spirit prepared Mary with a special preservative grace. This grace was given by a special working of the Holy Spirit by applying the merits of her Sons death and Resurrection to her at the moment of her conception.  She then lived her early life filled with the Holy Spirit.  At the Annunciation, Mary conceived her Savior, and the Savior of the whole world, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

The Son of God was consecrated as Christ (Messiah) by the anointing of the Holy Spirit at his Incarnation (cf. Psalm 2:6-7). Thus the Holy Spirit, whom Christ the head pours out on his members, builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church. She is the sacrament of the Holy Trinity's communion with men.

God the Father sent his Son, the Word made flesh, accompanied by the Holy Spirit to live among men and speak the truth of God. Through his words, deeds, signs, and miracles, Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecy of the Old Testament and gathered disciples. God established a new covenant with man through the crucifixion of Jesus for the redemption of mankinds sins that we might have eternal communion with God. Through his resurrection, Jesus showed that death could be conquered through our faith in God.

J. THE PENTECOST EXPERIENCE AND THE CHURCH

Pentecost is the clearest manifestation of the Holy Spirit.  As the disciples are gathered in the upper room, tongues as of fire descend upon them, and they are filled with the Holy Spirit. They receive various charisms and are given a new strength and boldness to proclaim the Gospel.  At Pentecost the Church is made manifest. We see the Holy Spirit alive in various ways in the Church today.  The Holy Spirit is the one teaching through the bishops, sanctifying us through prayer and the sacraments, and spreading the Good News through the apostolic works of the Church.

To the church, Pentecost brought light, power, joy. There came to each illumination of mind, assurance of heart, intensity of love, fullness of power, exuberance of joy. No one needed to ask if they had received the Holy Ghost. Fire is self-evident. So is power!

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was sent to the Apostles and their followers to guide them as founders of the Church, the Body of Christ. The Apostles infused with the Holy Spirit traveled the earth preaching the Gospel and all they had learned from Christ while converting and baptizing multitudes into the Faith. From their teachings and work and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the Church was established and sustained. The Holy Spirit, the ongoing presence of Jesus on earth, is active in the Church past, present, and future. Christ is the Head of his Church, believers are members of the Body of Christ, and the Holy Spirit is its Soul.

TOPIC 5: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD OF GOD, SACRAMENTS AND SACRED LITURGY

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD OF GOD

Catholicism is a religion of the Word of God. As Jesus told his Apostles: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you (John 14:26). All the knowledge given by the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and the Old Testament Prophets is called Divine Revelation. The Catholic Church recognizes two forms of Divine Revelation: Sacred Scripture and Apostolic Tradition. Both of these represent depositories of the Word of God and according to Pope Paul VI in his Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum: Hence there exists a close connection and communication between sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture. For both of them, flowing from the same divine wellspring, in a certain way merge into a unity and tend toward the same end. For Sacred Scripture is the word of God inasmuch as it is consigned to writing under the inspiration of the divine Spirit, while sacred tradition takes the word of God entrusted by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and hands it on to their successors in its full purity, so that led by the light of the Spirit of truth, they may in proclaiming it preserve this word of God faithfully, explain it, and make it more widely known. Consequently it is not from Sacred Scripture alone that the Church draws her certainty about everything which has been revealed. Therefore both sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture are to be accepted and venerated with the same sense of loyalty and reverence Dei Verbum 9).

With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles and their disciples put the Good News of Jesus Christ and his message of salvation into the writings we call the New Testament  the Gospels and the Epistles. Similarly, the Old Testament consists of writings of the Prophets that transmit the word of God as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Together they make up the Sacred Scripture of the Christian Faith. However, before the New Testament was written, the Apostles and their followers spread the Word using only their personal experience with Jesus. Apostolic Tradition refers to the transmission of the word of God entrusted by Christ and the Holy Spirit to the Apostles through preaching, bearing witness, institutions, worship, and inspired writings.

The importance of Apostolic Tradition is presented in Sacred Scripture. For example, St. Paul points to the faithfuls reliance on both scripture and tradition stating, So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter (2 Thess. 2:15); while St. John concludes his Gospel by alluding to the abundance of divine activity witnessed by the followers of Jesus: But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written (John 21:25).

The Holy Spirit protects the integrity of the Word of God transmitted through both Sacred Scripture and Apostolic Tradition from generation to generation. This is accomplished through the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. The Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Church and relies on the assistance of the Holy Spirit to ensure the authentic interpretation of the word of God. The Magisterium, Sacred Scripture, and Apostolic Tradition are linked together under the direction of the Holy Spirit to effect Gods mission, the salvation of souls, by giving the complete message of God.

 THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE SACRAMENTS AND LITURGY

The Holy Spirit is also active in the Church in many other ways. He puts us into communion with Christ through the sacraments and liturgy, intercedes for us in our prayers, and works with us through the witness of the saints. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit inspires many toward missionary work and discernment of the priesthood, and builds up the Church through its ministries and charisms. The Holy Spirit guided the Apostles and early Church Fathers in the beginning of the Catholic Church, and he continues to inspire and guard the Church today.

Does Jesus have a home in your heart? Are you engaged in your Catholic faith?  Pray that the Holy Spirit helps faith and love become established in our hearts so that we are able to share them with those around us. We are called for fellowship and service. 

The Holy Spirit is active in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. When he appeared to the Apostles on the evening of Easter, Jesus breathed upon them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained (John 20:22-23). Pope Francis says that the outpouring of the Spirit was the great gift of the Risen Lord to his disciples on Easter Sunday. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, "The Church is the Body of Christ. Through the Spirit and his action in the sacraments, above all the Eucharist, Christ, who once was dead and is now risen, establishes the community of believers as his own Body."  The priest at every Mass prays the Epiclesis in which he begs the Father to send the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, to transubstantiate [changing the substance without affecting the accidents, namely the physical appearances of bread and wine] the bread and wine offering into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. St. John Damascene writing in the eight century, "You ask how the bread becomes the Body of Christ, and the wine . . . the Blood of Christ I shall tell you: the Holy Spirit comes upon them and accomplishes what surpasses every word and thought . . . Let it be enough for you to understand that it is by the Holy Spirit, just as it was of the Holy Virgin and by the Holy Spirit that the Lord, through and in himself, took flesh."

At the time of the Protestant Reformation, Luther and other reformers rejected the sacrament of Confirmation. In the early Church the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation were given at the same time to adult converts. This blurred the distinction in the Reformers mind of the two distinct sacraments. But Scripture is clear. Christ promised the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, (John 14:15-21) who would enable His disciples to testify to the truth (John 15: 6) and the fulfillment came after nine days of prayer at Pentecost. After Peter and the Apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, some of the crowd asked, "What shall we do?" Peter said, "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:37). We see this sacrament in Acts 8: 14-17, where Peter and John impose their hands on the previously baptized Samaritan. This sacrament gives us the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are wisdom, understanding, counsel fortitude, knowledge piety and fear of the Lord (cf. Isaiah 11: 2-3). In the sacrament of Confirmation we become soldiers of Christ, sealed in the Spirit to become witnesses in a mature way to Christ's gospel. As a symbol of this new strength in the Spirit, bishops in the Middle Ages used to give the candidate a light slap on the cheek, as a symbol that we must be ready to give up our lives for the faith, as so many others have in the past. St. Paul writes, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3: 17-18).  We are intended to reflect the glory of Christ in our lives by striving for personal holiness, which can only be achieved through God's grace. Thus the sacrament seals us in His love and service and by cooperating with His work within us, our lives bear the fruit of the Spirit, namely love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness and chastity (Gal. 5:22).

TOPIC 6: HOLY SPIRIT AND THE MIRACLES EXPERIENCED IN THE DAYS OF THE APOSTLES AND IN OUR DAYS

MIRACLES THE APOSTLES EXPERIENCED

(1). When the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, they preached the Good News of Jesus Christ. Miraculously, people of many different languages and nations could understand the Apostles in their own languages. This miracle reflected Gods desire for the Gospel to be preached to all, and for all the peoples of the earth to be united in faith. 

The Collect (opening prayer) of the Pentecost Mass prays: Almighty ever-living God, who willed the Paschal Mystery to be encompassed as a sign in fifty days, grant that from out of the scattered nations the confusion of many tongues may be gathered by heavenly grace into one great confession of your name.

(2). Another wonder surrounding Pentecost was that tongues of fire appeared and rested on the Apostles. God left no doubt that Pentecost was an important event in the history of the Church and that the Holy Spirit was truly present.

The miraculous tongues of fire, along with the Apostles ability to speak in different languages, may seem to be the most impressive signs of Pentecost. However, the most important and most lasting effect of Pentecost went deeper than that.

(3). Peter, the leader of the Apostles, stood in front of the crowds and preached. He preached with boldness and conviction. Consider that up until this point the Apostles had not preached at all. Just 10 days before, the Apostles still thought that Jesus mission was to restore an earthly kingdom to Israel (cf. Acts 1:6). Now, however, Peter recognizes the mission of Jesus and boldly preaches instead of remaining hidden in a room. The boldness that the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles on Pentecost gave them the courage and wisdom to preach to many nations and peoples. This, in turn, resulted in the spread of Christianity and the conversion of thousands of people. On the day of Pentecost, about 3,000 people were baptized (Acts 2:41).

THE SPIRIT CONTINUES TO MAKE CHRIST PRESENT

Pentecost ushered in a new age of the Church through which Christ works in different means for our salvation.

In this age of the Church Christ now lives and acts in and with his Church, in a new way appropriate to the new age. He acts through the sacraments []; this is the communication of the fruits of Christs Paschal mystery in the celebration of the Churchs sacramental liturgy.

In other words, although since his Ascension Jesus is no longer physically present on earth, Jesus has not left us alone. Indeed, he is still present to us in other ways. Jesus has left us the sacraments through which the Holy Spirit conveys the grace of God in a physical and tangible way. Pentecost marks the beginning of this new, sacramental era in which we live today. It does so because the ministers of the sacraments (usually priests and deacons) have the power to perform the sacraments because the Holy Spirit acts through them. The Holy Spirit conforms the minister to Christ.

So the Holy Spirit has been very much alive and active in the history of our world and continues to be active in the life of the Church.  

 THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHARISMS

The Holy Spirit is also very much alive in the activity of the Church.  It is the Holy Spirit who gives charisms.  A Charism is a spiritual gift given to someone for the good of the Church.  Its a sort of spiritual quality or ability to offer some service to the Church.  Charisms could be as amazing as being prophetic or healing the sick, or they could be as ordinary (but necessary) as being able to organize activities within the Church in an exemplary way.  The key to a Charism is that it is for the good of the Church and the spreading of the Gospel.

Charisms are especially necessary for the apostolic and missionary activity of the Church.  As members of the Church, we are called to evangelize by spreading the Gospel far and wide.  To do this effectively, and in accord with Gods plan, we need His grace and action in our lives.  We need special Charism (gifts) to accomplish this responsibility.  It is the task of the Holy Spirit to bestow these gifts.

The saints are the great witnesses of God.  Gods light and goodness shine on them and through them for all to see.  It is especially the Holy Spirit who enables these great saints to be shining examples of Gods love for all to see.

TOPIC 7: OTHER ROLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit provides power to hope, persevere, comprehend and witness.  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

The Holy Spirit gives the power to protect. That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (2 Timothy 1:14).

The Holy Spirit gives the power to comprehend. ...I bow my knees to the Father... that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width (Ephesians 3:14-19).

The Holy Spirit gives the power to witness. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me (Acts 1:8).

The Holy Spirit regenerates: ...unless one is born of water and spirit, he can't enter into God's Kingdom... (John 3:5-6). Just as Mary was pregnant with Jesus by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18), those who believe are reborn (regenerated) of the Spirit (John 3:5-6). Consider the birth of a child. Through much suffering by the mother, the child exits the darkness of the womb and enters into a new world of light. So, we, when born of the Spirit at conversion, are transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13). He is the light of the world (John 8:12).

The Holy Spirit renews: not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit... (Titus 3:5-6). After regeneration at conversion, the process of unavoidable spiritual decay is broken by the numerous works of renewal by the Holy Spirit. We are no longer given up to lust, uncleanness, dishonor, vile passions and a reprobate mind (Romans 1:24,26,28). Instead, the Holy Spirit's works of communication operate within us (Romans 3.3). His powers work in us and for us (Rom. 3.4).  We are blessed immeasurably by being transferred from the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13).  

The Holy Spirit sanctifies: ...serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit... (Romans 15:15-16). We do not sanctify ourselves. The Holy Spirit does this.

The Holy Spirit gives life: But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you (Romans 8:11).

The Holy Spirit is a seal of ownership and identification: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvationhaving also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13). I will focus on the words believed, sealed, inheritance, redemption and possession. The Holy Spirit is a seal, designating whose we are, whose family we belong. The Father gave the second person of the Trinity, the son, as the sacrifice for sin. We have been redeemed (purchased) with the blood of the Son (Revelation 5:9). Then the Father gave the third person of the Trinity into us who believe as the seal showing that we are His. This seal of the person of the Holy Spirit within is a pledge or guarantee that we will inherit the kingdom (Daniel 7:27, Matthew 5:5, 25:34, Revelation 3:21)).

God's Love flows into our hearts through the Holy Spirit: because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5). This chapter is titled Fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit. Forty workings of the Holy Spirit are revealed in this chapter. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, dwells within us. The Holy Spirit prophesies, preaches, teaches, speaks through us, provides words for witnessing, testifies, convicts unbelievers, reminds us of scripture, leads, warns and intercedes for us. The Holy Spirit provides power to hope, persevere, comprehend and witness. The Holy Spirit regenerates, renews, sanctifies, gives life, seals, brings joy and peace. So, in these workings of the Holy Spirit, we see intricate details of God's love being poured into us.

The Holy Spirit is the source of joy: You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

The Holy Spirit brings peace and joy: for God's Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

The Holy Spirit has sorrow when we don't yield to Him: Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

The Holy Spirit gives us words of praise: ...no man speaking by God's Spirit says, Jesus is accursed. No one can say, Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). The Holy Spirit has a monopoly on sincere confession of messiahship. See Matthew 8:21 & Luke 6:46 to reconcile to mere lip service. 

Every sincere confession presented by us is spoken through us by Him (the Holy Spirit). The Holy Spirit prophesies, preaches, teaches, speaks through us, provides words for witnessing, testifies, reminds us of scripture, leads, warns and intercedes for us. With these truths in mind, it is easy to see that we say Jesus is Lord by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a gift: ...the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5). We do not earn or barter for the Holy Spirit. He is a gift. 

OR

ROLES OR FUNCTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE

*1. The Holy Spirit is a helper who teaches and reminds.*

In John 14:26 Jesus told his disciples, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. The Greek word Parakletos in this passage is translated Helper in the ESV, Advocate in the NIV, and Counselor in the KJV. The meaning of this word relates to legal counsel. The Holy Spirit provides wise counsel to Christs followers. Jesus knew he would be going away and that his followers would need the Holy Spirit as a helper and an advocate to remind them of his teachings.

*2. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin.*

In addition to providing wise counsel, attorneys also provide evidence used to convict criminals. In a similar fashion, the Holy Spirit will prove the sin, righteousness, and judgment of the world. ...But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:7-8).

*3. The Holy Spirit dwells in believers and fills them.*

The Holy Spirit is Gods presence in the lives of believers. Do you not know that you are Gods temple and that Gods Spirit dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

*4. The Holy Spirit is a source of revelation, wisdom, and power.*

These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a persons thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). Christians have access to power, revelation and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, just as the Apostle Paul wrote to believers in Ephesus, I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better... (Ephesians 1:17-20).

*5. The Holy Spirit guides to all truth, including knowledge of what is to come.*

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth in John 16:13-15 because he guides believers into all truth. Jesus told his disciples the Holy Spirit would make known what he hears and would only speak what the Father speaks (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13).

*6. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers.*

Attributes of the Holy Spirit such as wisdom, knowledge, and power are manifested in the lives of believers for the good of others. More gifts are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.   

*7. The Holy Spirit is a seal in the lives of believers.*

In the ancient world, a seal was a legal signature attesting ownership and validating what was sealed. The Holy Spirit is our mark of adoption as Gods children. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to his followers so that they could be confident in their salvation. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Gods possessionto the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13).

*8. The Holy Spirit helps in a Christians weakness and intercedes for them.*

We all have times we feel weak and dont know what to do. The Holy Spirit helps us line up with Gods will during those times by interceding for us (Romans 8:26-27).

*9. The Holy Spirit makes believers new and gives them eternal life.*

Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers to renew, sanctify, and make us holy. Just as the Holy Spirit raised Christ from the dead, the Holy Spirit will give eternal life to believers in Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you (Romans 8:10-11).

*10. The Holy Spirit sanctifies and enables believers to bear good fruit in their lives.*

The work of the Holy Spirit in a Christians life is an on-going process of becoming holy through sanctification. Through the conviction and power of the Holy Spirit, believers will not indulge the sinful acts of flesh (Galatians 5:16-21) but will bear the good fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).

*11. As he rests upon you, the Spirit will sustain your love for Christ*

He does not merely reveal the truth of Christ, but the beauty, the power, the wisdom, and the love of Christ. The Spirit communicates to our hearts the preciousness of Christ. He makes us feel that Christ is enough in this hour  that he is better than all loves. Paul said in Philippians 3:3 that Christians worship by the Spirit of God. In other words, it is the Spirit that gives to our hearts a sense of the worth of Christ. It is he who causes us to feel that this light momentary affliction is nothing compared to Christ. 

*14. In that hour of trial, the Holy Spirit will overcome your doubts and give you the assurance that you need.*

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs  heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:1517). The Spirit of glory rests upon you, in the midst of the loss of all earthly glory, and testifies to your heart: You are an heir of infinite glory. You belong to Christ. You will be glorified with him. You may be sure of this.

Without the Holy Spirit, we have no new birth, no confession of the lordship of Christ, no victory over sin, no progress in sanctification, no spiritual wisdom, no spiritual gifts, and no resurrection from the dead.

THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

His role is to

guard the deposit of faith or Revelation in all its truth,

prevent the Church from teaching error,

guide the development of doctrine,

give council to the church (and all His other gifts, too),

enable the Church to interpret the true sense of Scripture,

ensure the infallibility of the Pope when he defines dogma pertaining to faith or morals,

give grace in the seven sacraments

TOPIC 8: SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Gospel says, in Matthew 12:32, And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. This frightening exhortation refers to the sin of rejecting the grace of God; it is a rejection of offer of salvation by Godcomplete rejection of the actions, incessant invitations, and warnings of the Holy Spirit. The will of a person who could commit this sin is so hardened that he does not want the mercy of God, and he rejects His goodness.

Sin against the Holy Spirit is thus unforgivable precisely because it is the sinner himself who keeps God from forgiving him. As God respects the freedom with which He created us, He also respects the decision of a sinner to firmly refuse to be forgiven.

Pope Saint Pius X taught in his Catechism that there are six elements of this sin against the Holy Spirit:

1. Despairing of salvation. This is when a person loses hope of salvation, judging that his eternal life is already lost and that he is condemned, even before Judgment. It means judging divine mercy as being small. It means not believing in Gods justice and power.

2. Presumption of salvation is when a person cultivates in his soul an idea of his own perfection, which implies a feeling of pride. He believes his salvation has been guaranteed by what he has done.

3. Denying a truth recognized as such by the Magisterium of the Church. When a person doesnt accept the truths (dogmas) of the faith, even after an exhaustive doctrinal explanation, it is the sin of heresy. He considers his personal understanding to be greater than that of the Church and the teaching of the Holy Spirit that assists the holy Magisterium.

4. Envying the grace that God gives to other people. Envy is a sentiment of discontent because someone else obtained something good, even if you yourself already possess it or could obtain it someday. It is the act of not wanting what is good for your neighbor. With this sin, I make myself the judge of the world. Im revolting against the Divine Will. Im rebelling against the law of love for ones neighbor.

5. Obstinacy in sin is the firm will to continue in error even after receiving the light and help of the Holy Spirit. This is when a person creates his own criteria for ethical judgment, or simply doesnt adopt any ethics at all, and in this way separates himself from Gods will and rejects salvation.

6. Final impenitence is the result of an entire life of rejecting God. This is when a person persists in error until the very end. It is the equivalent of consecrating oneself to the adversary of Christ. Even at the hour of death, such a person refuses to approach the Father with humility. He doesnt open himself to the Holy Spirits invitation.

TOPIC 9: RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

The apostle Paul said, My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirits power (1 Cor. 2:4). And again, For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (4:20). In both these passages, the word for power is dunamis. The word means power, might, strength, force or capability.

It is especially used in reference to miracle-working power. We are talking now about a power that accompanies the proclamation of the gospel, bringing supernatural results and even miracles! Where do we get this power?

Jesus made a promise to us

In Acts 1:8; Jesus said, But you will receive power [dunamis] when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Jesus promised them they would receive the power to spread the gospel when the Holy Spirit was poured out. The fulfillment of this promise happened a few days later on the day of Pentecost. We read about this outpouring in Acts 2.

Throughout the rest of the Book of Acts we read over and over how those in the early church received this precious gift. There are many debates about what Spirit baptism is or means. People argue about when it happens, if it is subsequent to salvation, if it comes with evidence, and what that evidence might be. Here is what I believe is important. Jesus said this outpouring would be accompanied by power (dunamis). Many Christians have reduced this power to something all believers have, whether or not they know it. It is more of a theoretical power than anything actual or tangible. It does not affect their lives in anything but the most ambiguous of ways. For those who see it as such, I would like to point out two things. The power is always evident

First, there is no example in Acts of anyone ever receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit without being aware of it. You can argue about what signs or gifts might be indicative of Spirit baptism, but you cannot deny that in every case they had a conscious Holy Spirit experience. Second, some evidence of power always accompanied these Holy Spirit experiences. In some cases, they spoke with tongues, prophesied, received boldness, etc. But in each case power was evident.

Child of God, all Christians need an experience of empowerment in their lives. This should be something they are conscious of, not merely a theoretical and theological truth. This power is necessary for serving God and living for Him. It is a nonnegotiable, mighty weapon of our warfare.

THE POWER AND THE GLORY OF GOD ARE OUR INHERITANCE

Because God has already rent the heavens through the blood of Jesus and given us access to all of His resources through prayer, we can live and work under an open heaven! Because of this truth, the glory of God is our inheritance as the children of God.

The word glory is found throughout the Bible. It can be used in several ways. One example that is found in Scripture is when glory is used to describe honor, wealth, and power. This would be like a reference to the glory of a king or a person held in high esteem. The second usage of the word is to describe Gods manifested or tangible presence. If we carefully examine this definition of glory, we will discover that it can be used to describe personal encounters that people have in which Gods glorious presence moves out of the supernatural realm into the earthly realm. It is experienced by people using one or more of their five natural senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. Are we saying that God can be experienced in this way? Yes!

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Yes, in Acts 4, we read the account of the intercession of the early Church as they prayed for more boldness to preach the gospel and see powerful demonstrations of the Holy Spirit through signs and wonders. The Bible says: And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31). 

When these people who had already been filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost prayed for the boldness to preach the gospel without compromise, the glory of God filled the place with such power that even the physical building where they had gathered was shaken! Heaven invaded the house! Thats power!

In Acts 5:14-16, we read that the measure of Gods manifest glory was resting upon Peter in a great way: And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Bear it in mind that Jesus promise of power has not changed. It is incredible to think that it is possible to walk in such a measure of the manifest glory of God that no sickness or demonic power would be able to stand in our presence any more than a snowball can withstand the blue flame of a welders torch! And two thousand years later, nothing has changed. The power of Pentecost, Gods glory manifest in us and through us, is still our birthright, through the work Jesus finished on the cross. God, in all His splendor, can and does move into the natural realm of human existence where He can actually be experienced by people. Take hold of your inheritance today! Stand firm and receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

The promise of the Holy Spirit is not for professionals only; it is not for the clergy only, it is not for the strong only; rather it is for all of us who believe in Jesus Christ. It follows that Ordinary people had a physical experience of God. Throughout the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, we find examples of times where ordinary people experienced God in these ways. Approximately 2 million of Gods people saw His glory with their physical eyes by day as a pillar of cloud and by night as a pillar of fire. This was not a mystical or emotional spiritual experience. These people actually saw the cloud by day. They saw the fire by night. Children who were born in the wilderness grew up never knowing that this manifested, visible revelation of the glory of the Lord was something that was out of the ordinary!

Moses saw and experienced this same holy fire when he stood before a burning bush in Exodus 3:1-6. God spoke to him in this place and even told him: Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground (Exodus 3:5). Moses saw the fire of God and experienced something of His holiness as did Isaiah because the Bible says, he was afraid to look upon God (Exodus 3:6).

Another example of the revelation of the glory of the Lord occurred on the Day of Pentecost. This example involved people physically hearing the sound of His glory as the Holy Spirit was poured out upon those who had gathered. Acts 2:2-3 records:

And suddenly there came a sound [they could hear] from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared [they could see] to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

The glory of God is our inheritance as the children of God. The miracles of Jesus were revelations of the glory of the Lord, because they were heavenly invasions that impacted people in ways that they could experience using their natural senses. In John 2, we find the story of the first miracle Jesus did at a wedding in Cana where something terribly embarrassing for the host family had occurred  they had run out of wine!

Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to her Son asking Him to please do something. Jesus commanded the servants to take six large water pots, each one capable of holding between 20 to 30 gallons, and to fill them with water. They filled them to the brim. When the master of the feast had tested the water, to his utter amazement it had become the finest of wine. This was the first miracle Jesus performed. John recorded the account this way: This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him (John 2:11). Gods power flowed into the earth and six pots of water had been turned into the finest, most exquisite wine as a result of this heavenly intervention.

On that first Pentecost, of all of the super hero forms God could have taken, God took the form of the Holy Spiritthe greatest power of allpoured out on all people, giving people many different super powers.  

This Glory, this power never runs out; it is renewable, rechargeable, and can re-generate with a little faith, hope, and prayer.  

If we unite our powers, we do have the power to not only grow the church, but to change the world for good, one transformed person at a time.

EPILOGUE

WHY THE PENTECOST EXPERIENCE

Most Christians could not imagine having a year go by without celebrating the holidays of Christmas and Easter. It is understood by all Christians, no matter how long or short their relationship with God and the church has been that no Christian calendar is complete without the observance of these two events. Christmas is the event that celebrates the birth of Jesus and the beginning of His ministry of redemption on earth. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and Gods ultimate victory over sin and death. If I were to announce that our church was not going to observe Christmas and/or Easter anymore, you rightfully could say we would be turning our backs on events that are central to our understanding of what it means to be Christians and what it means to belong to the church. Wouldnt it seem that something essential was missing from our lives as Christians if we did not have an Easter and a Christmas pageant? Can you imagine going an entire year without hearing about there being no room in the inn when Jesus was born or not hearing, He is risen, indeed! as the pronouncement of His resurrection? Truly, it is absolutely impossible to understand the meaning of the Christian faith without observing and understanding Christmas and Easter. However, there is a third holiday, a third observance, a third sacred event that is just as central to our understanding of what it means to be a Christian and what it means to belong to the church; though most Christians do not celebrate this event, and many never have heard of it or know little or nothing about it. The third event is the PENTECOST SUNDAY.

This great day in the Christian calendar is rooted in the story in Acts 2 and celebrates the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles who were gathered in a room in Jerusalem. Before Pentecost, those men were hiding from the public for fear that what had happened to Jesus might also happen to them. After Pentecost, those frightened men had become suddenly and miraculously equipped and empowered to carry on the ministry Jesus had begunin the very city of Jerusalem where Jesus recently had been put to death.

Pentecost marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit by which human beings are equipped to do the work of God. We are not by our own natural resources going to save the world, establish Gods kingdom or usher in what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. often referred to as the beloved community. If any of these things does happen, it will be because we have acknowledged, embraced and moved under the power and conviction of Pentecost and the work of the Holy Spirit.

The fact that we have failed to understand or observe this day on the calendar does not change the basic truth this day holds for every believer. Unless you make room for Pentecost in your understanding of what it means to be a Christian, you never will understand your faith fully. Remember that in Acts 1:6-8 Jesus tells the apostles to remain in the city of Jerusalem until the power of the Holy Spirit came upon them. He was not sending them out to evangelize on the basis of their life experiences or their understanding of religious laws and teachings. He was not suggesting that spending three years in His presence had resulted in them being equipped for the work that lay ahead. Instead, He told them to wait for the power, wait for the anointing, wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Once they had that power, they would be ready to go. Until that happenedwait!

Pentecost Sunday is the day we remember when and how that anointing took place. While they all were huddled in a room in Jerusalem behind locked doors and shuttered windows, they heard the sound of a rushing wind. What appeared to be tongues of fire seemed to settle over the head of each person. They began to speak in other languages, but what they were saying was understood clearly in the native language of each person gathered in Jerusalem that day. You see, the power of Pentecost was not the unknown tongues in which the apostles were speaking. The miracle was that people from every known region of the world were able to understand what was being said in his or her language.

It was immediately after the miracle of understanding that something else of equal importance took place: The work of the church in the world as an agent of reconciliation and evangelism began. I invite you to think about Easter and Christmas as events that involve Jesus as the primary actor. On Christmas, Jesus was born into the world and laid in a manger. There were no disciples present for that event. What do you and I do on Christmas that is central to the story? Nothing! On Easter, Jesus was raised from the dead with all power in His hands. Once again, there were no disciples involved in bringing that event to pass. There is nothing for us to do on Easter except celebrate and give thanks for the work Christ has done on our behalf.

On Pentecost, though, all of that changesyou and I are called away from our roles as spectators into the role of central characters in Gods work of redemption and salvation. As a result of Pentecost, we do not watch what somebody else is doing for God, but are being equipped by the power of the Holy Spirit so we can become actively involved in the work of salvation and redemption. That is what Pentecost is all about; it is the day Jesus officially transfers to His disciples the responsibility of spreading the message of salvation.

Pentecost is the day when God begins the process of converting the entire world to faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before, the opportunity of conversion was presented to few people. Today, the whole world is called to repentance. Most important of all, Pentecost is the day when God decided the way the world would be evangelized was not by the singular ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ, but by the anointed and empowered efforts of every single person who calls him or herself a Christian. The time for following Jesus as a disciple or learner is over, and the time to carry His message forth as apostles has come. Those disciples were no longer spectators; the time had come for them to do the work themselves.

Think about any event in your life when you began by watching what somebody else was doing, then suddenly the responsibility to work was passed to you. It is one thing to watch while somebody else does all the work. It is another matter to do the job yourself. However, that is what God called those disciples to do on the day of Pentecost.

Let me make several brief observations about Pentecost based on the two biblical texts we read today. First, we need to lift up and celebrate the role and work of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of Pentecost is to remind every Christian that even though Christ died for our sins and that by baptism we accept the forgiveness of our sins, there is something else each one of us needs to do.

We need to receive the Holy Spirit so we can do the work of discipleship that awaits each one of us. You cannot preach correctly unless you have received and depend on the Holy Spirit. You cannot pray, sing, serve or live correctly as a Christian unless and until you have been empowered and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, which first fell on the Lords apostles in Jerusalem on Pentecost!

Do you remember when God made Adam from the dust of the earth in Genesis 2:7? Although God had the body of Adam, nothing happened with that body until God breathed His Spirit into the nostrils of Adam, who then became a living soul. Do you remember the dry bones in the valley in Ezekiel 37? Although Ezekiel spoke to the bones and they came together to form a body, the body could not and did not move until the Spirit of God blew over those bones. The same thing is true with the church and with every Christian; no matter what our spiritual gifts might be, they never will function to their full capacity until we allow the Holy Spirit to blow over us, fill us and equip us for Gods service.

In both cases, we cannot do our work, employ our gifts or exercise our ministry areas until God has filled us and transformed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. However, once the Holy Spirit has come, we can have the same boldness, conviction and possibly the same results Peter had on the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 souls were added to the church at the end of his sermon. We need the power of Pentecost!

Second, take a look at the crowd that was gathered on Pentecost, and then take a look at almost every church in this country. When we do that, we will see how far short we are falling from what I believe to be Gods will for the church. If you held a map of the world as it was known in the first century A.D. and then listened to the roll call of nations represented in Jerusalem on Pentecost, you would see that every known continent, race and ethnic group was gathered there that day.

Remember that Jews had, by this time, spread into every region of the world. On Pentecost, as on Passover and the other major Jewish holidays, some Jews returned to Jerusalem to celebrate by making a sacrifice in the Temple of Solomon. That is why there were people there from Africa, Asia and Europe. That is why Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Persians all were present in one place at one time.

God was doing two wonderful things at once: He was converting people who could take the message back to their respective countries and establish the gospel throughout the world; and perhaps more importantly for today, He was establishing a church that consisted of and welcomed people from every race and region of the world.

But today, there is segregation in the Church, especially in Europe and America. I am sure God hates the fact that in America for example, most Christians gather together for worship in all-white, all-black, all-Hispanic or all-Asian congregations. I am sure God hates the fact that the racism and segregation that still grips our society is strongest in the Christian church. How can the church be the light that draws the world to salvation in the name of Jesus when the world sees inside our walls the same ugly divisions as in the rest of society?

I agree with a recent article in Christianity Today magazine that asserted the work of the church will not be complete until the church itself reflects the same multi-cultural and multi-ethnic diversity God has placed within the world. Put another way, according to 1 John 4:20, If anyone says, I love God, but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

By the way, the diversity God created is not limited to white people and black people or any other distinctions based on race or ethnic background. Diversity also is reflected in issues of social class, economic levels, educational and political points of view.

I see a dangerous trend occurring in the church today as evidenced by an increasingly strident tone that Christians direct toward one another based on their stance on various social issues. This stridency is not lost on the world. How can we win the world for Jesus Christ when we ourselves are exhibiting so much intolerance and anger toward any point of view other than our own? We all would do well to heed the warning from Ronald Wells, who recently wrote, repentance and forgiveness, not self-righteousness and defensiveness mark the way forwardOne cannot claim principle only for ones own side. Pentecost points us in another direction, and we need to follow where the Holy Spirit is leads. It is seldom the case that everybody is wrong except us.

Third, Pentecost is the day when gender walls seem to come down. Peter said Pentecost is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel who said, God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesyEven upon the menservants and maidservants in those days will I pour out My Spirit (Joel 2:28). Pentecost is the day when God tears down all the walls of division in the world and the church. We need to move beyond the idea that God cannot use men and women in the ministry of the gospel. Paul would go on to say, In Christ there is neither male nor female, neither slave nor free, neither Jew nor Gentile (Galatians 3:28). The same Paul who commended Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:1-6 also commended Phoebe in Romans 16:1. These times in which we live are another embodiment of the Spirit of Pentecost, as God is once again pouring out His Spirit upon our sons and daughters. We need to embrace this aspect of the power and purpose of Pentecost!

Finally, I want you to notice that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, there are some people who might laugh at you or look funny at you because of what you might start to do under the influence of that power and anointing. When the Holy Spirit fell on the apostles in Acts 2 and they began to speak in foreign languages, some people accused them of being drunk. It seemed to the outside world as if they were babbling uncontrollably.

There are some people and some places where worship has become so structured, ordered and intellectualized that any room for the free movement of the Holy Spirit has been removed. If you dare raise your voiceor your handyou are judged as emotional.

I invite you to celebrate the third great holiday of the Christian faith which is Pentecost. I invite you to open your hearts to receive the Holy Spirit. You may not always look or sound dignified, but thats alright, because, Im going to shout when the Spirit says shout; Im going to move when the Spirit says move; and Im going to dance when the Spirit says dance. 

© REV FR UTAZI PRINCE BENIGNUS ZEREUWA