The Holy Spirit

On Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter, Christians commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit to Jesus' early followers. But the Bible contains several earlier references to the Spirit as well—for example, in the accounts of Mary's conception: "… she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:18) and "The Holy Spirit will come upon you…" (Luke 1:35); Jesus' baptism: "… he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him" (Matthew 3:16); and Jesus sending his disciples out for the first time: "… do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say … for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (Matthew 10:19-20).

Through the Holy Spirit, God empowers us to grow in faith, make more mature decisions and live more faithful lives. The Spirit gives us the will, as Jesus said, to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). The Holy Spirit gives believers the authority to accurately interpret the Bible, just as the Spirit enabled the original writers of Scripture to tell truthfully about God, Jesus and everything else we need to know. The Spirit also gives authority to the church to act in God's name for the good of humanity. The Spirit gives every person a sense of "calling" to a special function in the world, in keeping with God's providence and Jesus' summons to "follow him." Among the "fruits of the spirit" identified by the apostle Paul are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).