“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you”

Pentecost , the birth of the Church

The Holy Spirit

On Pentecost Christ, the Lord and savior, poured out the Holy Spirit in the form of wind and fire on His disciples where they began to speak in tongues.

From this day the three Persons of the Trinity were fully revealed and the Kingdom of God, which is life in the Trinity, became open to all Christians. Pentecost begins the time of the Catholic Church which is now over 2002 years old.

The Holy Spirit is the name of the third personhood of God in the Blessed Trinity. He is also called Paraclete, advocate, the Spirit of Truth, consoler. Jesus also refers to the Holy Spirit as "He".

The Holy Spirit is of the same divine substance as the Father and of the Son. When the Father sends his Son, who is the Word Of God, He also sends his breath, the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals the work of the Father's Son.

Jesus Promised The Holy Spirit~ CCC#727

Just before Jesus' death He prayed to the Father for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Father sent the Spirit in Jesus' name. In the end, Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on His disciples so that they would be empowered and the mission of Jesus and the Holy Spirit now becomes the mission in the apostolic succession in the Catholic Church.

The Holy Spirit builds up, and sanctifies the Church. The 'first fruits' of the Holy Spirit is the very life of God. The fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

What is the Holy Spirit's Mission Today?: CCC #737

In the O.T. "Spirit" meant power, and the "Spirit of God" was not recognized as a distinct person until after He came, as Jesus said, at Pentecost.

Today the Holy Spirit prepares and leads people to come to Christ. The Spirit manifests the Lord to us and opens our minds to accept the truth to come into communion with God.

The Personhood Of The Holy Spirit:

In the N.T. the Holy Spirit is the third person in the trinity. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a "He", and "Him". (John 14:16,17; 16:13,14)

The Holy Spirit is not merely a power or energy force any more, as Jehovah Witnesses believe, but He has personhood qualities.

~He searches: 1 Cor 2:10

~We can pray with Him: 1 Cor 14:15

~He can bear witness: 1 John 5:7

~He teaches: 1 Cor 2:13

~Says "Yes": Rev 14:13, 22:17

We can bear His qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, self-control and understanding. Also, He gives certain people qualities of Himself through the gifts of: wisdom, knowledge, speaking in tongues, prophecy, discerning spirits, interpreting speeches, healing and faith.

In the gifts, the first listed are intended for sanctification. The second type are called "Charismata". These are extraordinary favors granted in helping another.

The first types of gifts are of: understanding~wisdom~counsel~fortitude ~knowledge~piety~and fear of the Lord.

The second type of gifts are of: speaking with wisdom~speaking with knowledge ~giving faith~the grace of healing~the gift of miracles~prophecy ~discerning spirits~ tongues~interpreting speeches, and the gift of helping others.

Scripture On The Works Of Holy Spirit:

"And the angel answered and said to her. "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

Matt 1:20

"...'Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child."

Matt 3:11

John the baptist said: "I baptize you in water for the sake of reform, but the one who will follow me is more powerful than I...He it is who will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire."

Luke 3:22

"and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in visible form like a dove..."

Luke 4:1

" Jesus , full of the Holy Spirit, then returned from the Jordon and was conducted by the Spirit into the desert ."

Luke 11:13

"If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

Luke 12:12

"The Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment all that should be said."

John 14:26

Jesus told His apostles: "The Paraclete, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will instruct you in everything, and remind you of all that I told you."

John 20:22

"Then he breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit."

Acts 2:4

"All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them.

Acts 2:38

"Peter answered: 'You must reform and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Acts 7:51

"You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always opposing the Holy Spirit just as your fathers did before you."

Acts 10:38

"of the way God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power."

Acts 19:2

Paul asked: "... Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?...

Romans 9:1

"I speak the truth in Christ: I do not lie. My conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit."

Ephesians 1:13

"In him you too were chosen; when you heard the glad tidings of salvation, the word of truth , and believed in it, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit who had been promised."

Ephesians 4:30

"Do nothing to grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption."

1 Thess 4:8

"hence, whoever rejects these instructions rejects not man, but God who sends His Holy Spirit upon you."