The Holy Spirit
Main Idea: The Holy Spirit makes Jesus as present to us as his physical presence was to the disciples.
Something to Remember: Question 43 (The Study Catechism, Confirmation Version). What do you believe when you confess your faith in the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the divine person who enables us to love, know, and serve Jesus Christ.
Scripture Connection: “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:25-27)
If God came to humanity in Jesus, how does Jesus come from the first century to be with us? This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. The Holy Spirit is God’s active presence in the world. Just as the Spirit created new life in the cosmos, the Spirit is making things come alive for us.
The Spirit is, of course, one of the three members of the one “Godhead”—the Trinity. Since early centuries, the Christian church has believed that all three persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are fully and equally God. There is no “hierarchy” among the three. Each person is wholly and completely God.
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is always at work as a witness or as a pointer to Jesus Christ. The Spirit does not call attention to the Spirit. Instead, the Spirit causes us to look to Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our Savior.
The Holy Spirit for Us
The Holy Spirit is “for” us. Paul says "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” (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit helps us in our vulnerability and aids us in overcoming our difficulties. God receives our prayers and answers our prayers through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit in Us
The Spirit who intercedes for us is the same Spirit who is in us. Paul reminds us, “You are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you” (Romans 8:9; cf. 8:11). The Spirit of God is not external to us. The Spirit of God is in the depths of our beings as children of God in Jesus Christ (8:14).
Theologically, the doctrine of “sanctification” or growth in holiness is associated with the work of the Holy Spirit. The “indwelling” of the Holy Spirit guides believers in the life of faith as they “live by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24). Sanctification as the work of the Spirit is God’s way of moving us from the people we are to the people God wants us to become as disciples of Jesus Christ. We never face life alone.
So we are never “alone” in our lives. God’s Spirit is always in us.
The Spirit makes the Scripture come alive. The Spirit constantly reminds us of everything that Jesus taught (John 14:25-27). This happens when we read Scripture. The Spirit makes those wonderful ancient words God’s word to us.
The Spirit makes the sacraments come alive. When we come to the communion table, it is through the Spirit that we experience the real presence of Jesus with us in the bread and the cup. In your baptism, it was the Spirit that joined you to Christ and to one another. This is how Jesus comes to you today from history.
The Spirit makes faith come alive. Through the work of the Spirit, your faith becomes more than a matter of information about Christianity. You are given new life that has a purpose. The Spirit gives you the gifts so that you can fulfill your God-given purpose.
Because of the Spirit, you can always hear God speaking to you; you know that God always hears you. You are assured that Christ is present with you. You know that you belong to God’s family for all time.
See: The Study Catechism: Confirmation Version (on the confirmation website)
See Questions 42-44 on the third article of the Apostles’ Creed.
Main Idea: The Holy Spirit makes Jesus as present to us as his physical presence was to the disciples.
Something to Remember: Question 43 (The Study Catechism, Confirmation Version). What do you believe when you confess your faith in the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the divine person who enables us to love, know, and serve Jesus Christ.
Scripture Connection: “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:25-27)
If God came to humanity in Jesus, how does Jesus come from the first century to be with us? This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. The Holy Spirit is God’s active presence in the world. Just as the Spirit created new life in the cosmos, the Spirit is making things come alive for us.
The Spirit is, of course, one of the three members of the one “Godhead”—the Trinity. Since early centuries, the Christian church has believed that all three persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are fully and equally God. There is no “hierarchy” among the three. Each person is wholly and completely God.
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is always at work as a witness or as a pointer to Jesus Christ. The Spirit does not call attention to the Spirit. Instead, the Spirit causes us to look to Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our Savior.
The Holy Spirit for Us
The Holy Spirit is “for” us. Paul says "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” (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit helps us in our vulnerability and aids us in overcoming our difficulties. God receives our prayers and answers our prayers through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit in Us
The Spirit who intercedes for us is the same Spirit who is in us. Paul reminds us, “You are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you” (Romans 8:9; cf. 8:11). The Spirit of God is not external to us. The Spirit of God is in the depths of our beings as children of God in Jesus Christ (8:14).
Theologically, the doctrine of “sanctification” or growth in holiness is associated with the work of the Holy Spirit. The “indwelling” of the Holy Spirit guides believers in the life of faith as they “live by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24). Sanctification as the work of the Spirit is God’s way of moving us from the people we are to the people God wants us to become as disciples of Jesus Christ. We never face life alone.
So we are never “alone” in our lives. God’s Spirit is always in us.
The Spirit makes the Scripture come alive. The Spirit constantly reminds us of everything that Jesus taught (John 14:25-27). This happens when we read Scripture. The Spirit makes those wonderful ancient words God’s word to us.
The Spirit makes the sacraments come alive. When we come to the communion table, it is through the Spirit that we experience the real presence of Jesus with us in the bread and the cup. In your baptism, it was the Spirit that joined you to Christ and to one another. This is how Jesus comes to you today from history.
The Spirit makes faith come alive. Through the work of the Spirit, your faith becomes more than a matter of information about Christianity. You are given new life that has a purpose. The Spirit gives you the gifts so that you can fulfill your God-given purpose.
Because of the Spirit, you can always hear God speaking to you; you know that God always hears you. You are assured that Christ is present with you. You know that you belong to God’s family for all time.
See: The Study Catechism: Confirmation Version (on the confirmation website)
See Questions 42-44 on the third article of the Apostles’ Creed.