Catechism Question 41
What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and He dwells forever in everyone who believes in Jesus Christ.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we are beginning to look at how we grow in the Christian faith and live in gratitude to God for all we have received. In short, all of this is done through the work of the Holy Spirit – so we begin with a couple of questions about the Spirit’s Person and work.
In this question we are identifying the major fact about the Holy Spirit – He is God. As the third Person in the Trinity, He is as fully Divine as the Father or the Son, and is co-eternal with them. There was no time when the Spirit did not exist. True, full Deity is the fundamental fact that we must know regarding the Holy Spirit.
The second thing we need to know at this point is that in the new covenant the Spirit dwells in every single child of God. Those who have been regenerated by the Spirit and have placed their faith in Christ are indwelled by that same Holy Spirit. The reception of the Holy Spirit is not some secondary experience only given to a select few. On the contrary, He lives in every single new covenant believer.
Additional Questions:
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What do we believe about the Spirit of God?
Who do you believe the Holy Spirit is?
Scripture References:
Genesis 1:2
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Psalms 139:7–12
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Job 33:4
The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
John 14:16–17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
Galatians 4:6
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Romans 8:15–16
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Ephesians 1:13–14
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:21–22
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why is it important to know that the Holy Spirit is God Himself?
Why does Paul say that if someone does not have the Holy Spirit living in them they do not belong to Christ? Is it possible for someone to come to Christ or to live for Christ apart from the Person and work of the Spirit?
Why is it important to know that the Holy Spirit dwells in me? How does that help me to walk with God? How does that help me to not give in to temptation?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 53 of the Heidelberg Catechism, and question 36 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the series entitled “The Holy Spirit” by Bret Hicks, taught during 2008 and 2009.
Suggested Worship Song:
Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God (Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, © 2006 Thankyou Music)
Available at http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-holyspirit.aspx
Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see;
Give me passion for Your purity.
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.
Holy Spirit, come abide within;
May Your joy be seen in all I do—
Love enough to cover ev’ry sin
In each thought and deed and attitude,
Kindness to the greatest and the least,
Gentleness that sows the path of peace.
Turn my striving into works of grace.
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.
Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth,
Giving life to all that God has made,
Show Your power once again on earth;
Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways.
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise.
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see.