Online Bible Study - Foundations of Faith

The Holy Spirit

Jesus promised that when He would leave this world, He would send the Counselor (the Holy Spirit). We hear this in St. John 16:5ff, "Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."

That is precisely what happened on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus ascended into Heaven. That account is recorded in Acts 2:1-4, "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." That very day, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and thousands of people converted to become Christians. Today is not different. The Holy Spirit is still present. The Spirit still works powerfully in and through us and in anyone who hears the Law and the Gospel of God. The works of the Holy Spirit are the same today as on the day of Pentecost. The Spirit calls, gathers, and sanctifies.

The Holy Spirit "Calls"
The simple words of St. Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:14 teach us to know that the Holy Spirit truly calls. "He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." And if the Holy Spirit calls, His words must be heard. Listen to Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

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