Catechism – Week 16 – The Holy Spirit

Who Is the Holy Spirit and Why Was He Sent?

We learned previously that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person in the Trinity along with Jesus (the Son) and the Father (see week 3). We also saw that when Jesus ascended into heaven, God was exalting him (see week 15) and giving him rule and authority over all the earth. The Holy Spirit carries out Jesus’ rule in the earth (see Acts 2:32-33).

Read the prophecy regarding the Spirit:

Ezekiel 36:27 – And I will put my [God’s] Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. (ESV)

How does the Spirit carry out Jesus’ rule over the earth?
The Spirit empowers believers to fully obey God.

Read some of Jesus’ last words to his disciples:

Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…to the end of the earth. (ESV)

How else does the Holy Spirit carry out Jesus’ rule?
The Spirit empowers the church to be witnesses of Jesus’ reign.

How does the Spirit do that?
Among many other things he gives the church boldness, he does miracles (Acts 4:29-31), he gives us words to speak, he gives the church gifts (Romans 12), and he convicts the world (John 16:8).

Scripture memory verse:

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (ESV)

Who is the Holy Spirit and why was he sent?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity who carries out Christ’s reign by empowering the church for holiness and as witnesses.

Adults and older students are encouraged to receive a fuller explanation from Dr. Tim Tennent (President of Asbury Theological Seminary) by clicking this link.