Much more will be said on this later on in Book Two of this series: My Catholic Worship! It traces the history and development of the doctrine from Scripture forward. The Holy Spirit is spoken of as a “force,” or as “power” emanating from God, rather than as God himself. Notice the Holy Spirit is synonymous with God himself. And they are the only three Persons who share in this one divine nature. We can know and love the Holy Spirit just as we know and love the Father and the Son. Confused? The Holy Spirit is also very much alive in the activity of the Church. : Perhaps this is the most common symbol of the Holy Spirit. He was the greatest of the prophets who spoke with the anointing of the Spirit of God. It is, therefore, no surprise to find many Catholics ill-equipped to deal with some of the more notable errors concerning he who is “the Lord and giver of life.” Thus, studying the person and nature of the Holy Spirit, though sometimes neglected, is crucial for us as Catholic apologists and as Catholics in general. This is significant because the inspired author could have used the neuter ekeino, but he did not. White is a symbol of purity, and its wings give it swiftness and agility to descend from the Heavens. Both the personhood as well as the divinity of the Holy Spirit are rejected by these groups. From their childhood, Catholics learn to pray the sign of the cross: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”. We say, for example, in Confirmation that there is an indelible character, a spiritual character, a seal, that is impressed upon one’s soul. It was the Spirit who guided each word revealing what He wanted written. Jesus promised His Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to His disciples. If you think hard about it, you’ll discover that “life” is hard to define. This is a marking of God and a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit. As we came to know this Son, in the person of Jesus, we came to realize that He also was I AM. In your interactions with others, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you what to say and flow through your actions. Finger: It was by the “finger” of God that Jesus did many great works. So what is the Holy Spirit? The question is often asked, “How can you pour out a person? Rather, this was a manifestation of the Spirit who was already with Jesus revealing this reality. By “joint action” I mean that the Church, in the person of the priest, speaks and acts using the assigned words, matter and actions (i.e., extending hands over bread and wine while speaking the words of consecration). Much more will be said on this later on in Book Two of this series: But for now this brief introduction will suffice. This is a messianic Psalm referring to our Lord’s Passion. Why is this the case? Take time to breathe and reflect on the Holy Spirit within your breath. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy, Books from My Catholic Life! It symbolizes power, energy and transformation. We also recall that Jesus laid hands on the sick to cure them. The saints are the great witnesses of God. Everyone following the will of the Father and living out their Christian dignity as sons and daughters of God. Yes, He acted in a very unique and powerful way when He inspired the human authors of the Scriptures in their writings. That the Holy Spirit is like destructive floodwaters, covering a land, yet also like a replenishing drink. These manifestations of God’s presence are theophanies. It was the finger of God that gave the Ten Commandments. There are numerous references to the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments. It also means that they act in perfect unity. What sustains life? Jesus was transfigured in light. The Holy Spirit is one member of the Holy Trinity. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their hearts; they have not known my ways.’”. This is not to mention the abundance of examples we could cite throughout Scripture, both Old (in seed form) and New Testaments. The Holy Spirit makes us who we are as Christians. This is done by an action of the Holy Spirit alive within the Church. One of the first reasons given for denying the divine nature of the Holy Spirit is often to point out that the Greek word for “spirit” (pneuma) is neuter. The law, given through Moses, was also a manifestation of God’s order and direction. This is seen in the story of Noah and the flood as well as in the story of the Red Sea when water destroyed the Egyptian army. Tertullian (c.160-c.225) and the Montanist heresy showed the need to distinguish between true and false activities of the Holy Spirit. What is the Holy Spirit? These texts leave no doubt as to the personhood of the Holy Spirit. It was a joint effort and 100% of both their works. And third, notice what the Holy Spirit does. I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. The key to a charism is that it is for the good of the Church and the spreading of the Gospel. A formal doctrine of the Holy Spirit wasn't articulate until the early third century. The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. What sustains life? They receive various charisms and are given a new strength and boldness to proclaim the Gospel. There have been many images of the Holy Spirit used in Scripture. He is depicted as “bear[ing] witness,” “establish[ing] a covenant,” is referred to as “the Lord,” “puts [his] laws on [our] hearts,” and even forgives sins. It is poured at baptism, and the Holy Spirit is subsequently poured in that act. John the Baptist: John was “filled with the Holy Spirit” from his mother’s womb. The human author’s unique personality and experiences shine through. The Holy Spirit is the “Holy Breath of God.” This image is seen in various places in the Scriptures. The dove was present with Noah at the ark, the dove descended upon Jesus at His baptism. If we only consider John chapters 14, 15, and 16, the evidence is overwhelming. John 14:26 says: “But the Counselor, 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.”. Nontrinitarian Christians, who reject the doctrine of the Trinity, differ significantly from mainstream Christianity in their beliefs about the Holy Spirit. It is through the Spirit that we are adoptedThe Holy Spirit is like our ‘letter of adoption’ into the family … And what are these divine qualities that they each share in? —In prayer, wherein he intercedes for us; We do not even know how to pray by ourselves. The theology of the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost - the two terms mean the same thing) is a huge subject. Among the many texts revealing the Holy Spirit’s divinity, perhaps the most plain and unmistakable are found in Hebrews. The Holy Spirit has been around from before the beginning of time and has been made manifest throughout the history of our Universe. It’s just that we only came to a fuller understanding of this Person of the Trinity after Jesus’ ascension. First, we’ll examine Hebrews 3:7-10: Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. This pointed over and over again to the need for a Messiah. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. God’s light and goodness shine on them and through them for all to see. The Holy Spirit “intercedes for us” insofar as the Holy Spirit acts on us, transforming us into a member of Christ Himself, so as to present us to the Father in Heaven. We do not deny the verses of Scripture indicating his personhood because he is described as being “poured out” in Acts 2:17. The point is that the Holy Spirit gives us the Church and she, in turn, gives us the sacraments. If the Holy Spirit were an impersonal force, the inspired author would not refer to it as a he. God comes to meet us, to descend to us, and we encounter Him. The Holy Spirit is one member of the Holy Trinity. But for now this brief introduction will suffice. : To be marked or sealed with God is an action of the Holy Spirit. He is, no doubt, the least spoken of among the three persons of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. One last obstacle for some who deny the personhood of the Holy Spirit is found in Acts 2:14-18. Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. . The Liturgy is a work of the Holy Spirit where the entire Trinity is made present. The dove was present with Noah at the ark, the dove descended upon Jesus at His baptism. The most common attacks on Catholic belief concerning the Holy Spirit generally come from quasi-Christian sects such as the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others who deny the central mystery of the Christian faith—the Trinity. Bishop Barron will be commenting on subjects from modern day culture. Here are some of those images: Breath: The best translation for the term “Spirit” is “Ruah” or breath, air or wind. This is seen in the story of Noah and the flood as well as in the story of the Red Sea when water destroyed the Egyptian army. This is seen in Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination and the Anointing of the Sick. Nouns in Greek are assigned gender as they are in many languages. We know the Holy Spirit…. kingdoms would fall as people failed to live by the law which was revealed by the Spirit. You can say that it’s a joint action of the Church and the Holy Spirit, and this mutual activity brings forth the very real presence of Christ our Lord. Not that the Holy Spirit wasn’t already with Him fully. The Holy Spirit makes this happen in a perfect and orchestrated way. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. : Fire transforms that which it touches. This title and the theory connected with it, like the theory of the fruits of the … We see this in several of the sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders). Thus, their inability to keep the law was a sign they needed more. In that verse, the resurrected Jesus is appearing to the Apostles in the upper room behind closed doors. The Holy Spirit is personal. The Church has received this name from the Lord and professes it in the Baptism of her new children. What actually gives life? Romans 11:33-34 tells us: “O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! This article gives a systematic explanation from the Catholic point of view.. Catholic theology of the Holy Spirit is very little different from general Protestant or Orthodox theology of the Holy Spirit, with a few notable exceptions, which I will attempt to list: It’s an interesting reality. The Holy Spirit has an intellect and will and with those characteristics freely knows and loves as God. The Holy Spirit's name describes his chief attribute: He is a perfectly holy and spotless God, free of any sin or darkness. As outlined earlier in this Chapter, 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. Through the conviction and power of the Holy Spirit, believers will not indulge the sinful acts of the flesh ( Galatians 5:16-21 ) but will bear the good fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22-25 ). Gifts of the Holy Ghost. We see the Holy Spirit alive in various ways in the Church today. The Catechism #688, spells those ways out like this. As outlined earlier in this Chapter, 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. Not that the Holy Spirit wasn’t already with Him fully. To do this effectively, and in accord with God’s plan, we need His grace and action in our lives. Catholics agree that spirit in Greek is a neuter term. 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. And we came to realize that this Holy Spirit is also God, also I AM. Water also signifies death to sin. Water also signifies death to sin. Not in the same way that He once inspired the books of the Bible, but certainly in powerful ways nonetheless. Let’s take John 14:16-17 to start. : The symbol of anointing with oil also signifies an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a Person2 Tradition2.1 I. The cloud is a masking and veiling of the presence of the Spirit, and the light is but a small portion of the radiance of the Holy Spirit shining forth. The Sacramental Liturgy is the most powerful way that God is present to us right here, right now. Jesus promised His Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to His disciples. But this does not necessarily mean the Holy Spirit is impersonal. We do not see Him with our eyes, but He is there. 20:10 - Does the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father and the Son? They share the same power as God and act as one God. Much can be said about living creatures and how they work from a scientific perspective. Jesus says he will both teach and remind us “all that [he has] said to [us].” Action follows being. Rather, the Holy Spirit has been active with the Father and the Son from all eternity. : John was “filled with the Holy Spirit” from his mother’s womb. In this text, St. Peter describes the power of God being manifested on the day of Pentecost by quoting Joel 2:28: But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. And this is important! Personhood means there is potential for love and union. Recommended Resource: The Holy Spirit by Charles Ryrie Hand: The laying on of hands is a sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is by John’s hand that Jesus was baptized after which the Holy Spirit descended in manifest form. We see this in several of the sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders). ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’”. At His baptism, the Spirit descends in fullness upon Him. He was the greatest of the prophets who spoke with the anointing of the Spirit of God. Jesus was transfigured in light. This does not mean that lances or daggers are actually female and personal! The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier The Holy Spirit is the sanctifier, who was sent by … Each one of these images reveals a unique characteristic of the Holy Spirit. To be “consubstantial” means that God the Holy Spirit is of the same divine substance or the same divine nature as the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Risen Lord, the Spirit of adoption poured into our hearts (cf. And in John 16:7-15, Jesus makes it very plain. It’s a sort of spiritual quality or ability to offer some service to the Church. In the Liturgy, we use words and symbols through which God shows up and is made manifest. 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. That the Holy Spirit burns like a fire out of control, yet it does not consume. He is, no doubt, the least spoken of among the three persons of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. One cannot teach and remind if one does not have the intellectual powers unique to rational persons that enable one to do so. They needed the fullness of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is referred to in personal terms by our Lord throughout the New Testament. Another part of a video series from Wordonfire.org. And this is an action of the Holy Spirit. —In the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses; —In the Church’s Magisterium, which he assists; Jesus established the Church and bestowed the Spirit upon the Apostles who were His first bishops with Peter being the first pope. So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” The reason St. Paul tells us “no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” is because it would require infinite power to be able to comprehend the thoughts of God which are infinite. Why? This bestowing of the Holy Spirit is seen in John 20:22. At that time, we are made adopted children of the Father, we are made one in Jesus the Son, and we are filled with the Holy Spirit to live out our new Christian calling as sons and daughters of God in Christ Jesus. What I mean is that we can “say prayers” if we like, and this is good. : God spoke to Moses, Joshua and the great prophets in various ways. And we, on our part, respond. We respond to God calling and speaking, and this begins a process of prayer. Tradition is the word used to specify the teaching action of the Holy Spirit in every age. : Water signifies the Holy Spirit in that it is poured and cleanses. Our Blessed Mother: The Holy Spirit prepared Mary with a special preservative grace (as explained in Chapter 3). She then lived her early life filled with the Holy Spirit. But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me; and you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning. Or, As we look at the workings of the Holy Spirit, we see various ways that He has and continues to work in our lives and in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit does everything. That Messiah would come and, in the end, bestow the Holy Spirit. ” Would we say Jesus is just a force and not a person because he is “poured out” in this verse? We also profess that the human author wrote under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit! It’s confusing to many. Jesus wanted the Holy Spirit also to be sent to anyone else who believes in Him, in Jesus. Seal: To be marked or sealed with God is an action of the Holy Spirit. The fact that this Greek word is feminine does not indicate hearts to be female and personal. As a Person, the Holy Spirit is one we can be in relation with. I know this answer is cliché and isn’t what you were hoping for, so don’t fret — there’s more. Speaking of the importance of context, the verse of Scripture used to “prove” the Holy Spirit to be an impersonal force actually demonstrates, when examined more fully, that the Holy Spirit is both personal and masculine. The person who receives this sacrament has already received the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of baptism, and the Holy Spirit abides with a person always. He is there in His fullness, veiled by the liturgical action itself. In all your hardships, ask the Holy Spirit to console you. We should examine one key phrase from John 16 more fully when considering the truth that the Holy Spirit is revealed not only as a person, but as a divine person—God himself. But as time passed, we were also made aware of the Messiah who was the Son of God. It was a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night that led the Israelites through the desert. Jesus: Jesus is the “Anointed One.” He is filled with the Holy Spirit and one with the Holy Spirit. Turning to God, surrendering to Him, seeking Him and listening to Him all requires an action of the Holy Spirit upon us. 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