Jesus promised a helper, counsellor, an advocate:... the Holy Spirit [the Spirit of truth]
A gift of the Holy Spirit is faith “by my own reason or strength, I cannot believe” “But the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts and sanctified and kept me in true faith” [Luther’s Small Catechism]
The Holy Spirit comes to us through the word sacraments confession and absolution “mutual conversation and consolation of brethren” (Luther, cited in Hanson, 1999, p. 66).
The Holy Spirit comes to us through Baptism we are born anew we take on a new identity as a child of God we are washed clean from sin, our old self is drowned and a new person is born Luther stressed the ongoing nature of our baptism It is not a one-off event in our lives - Baptism has meaning for us everyday “through daily repentance” we “arise” each day a new person
The Holy Spirit comes to us through God’s word The word is not simply information. It is: God’s written word in Scripture the person Jesus a spoken message hymns the creeds liturgy
The Holy Spirit comes to us through the Lord’s Supper In this meal we commune with God receive Jesus’ body and blood benefit from the life-giving nourishment it provides our sins are forgiven our faith is strengthened
The Holy Spirit transforms our lives The Holy Spirit transforms our worldview changes our perspective of the world and the people in it influences how we respond to circumstances, challenges, and other people
The Holy Spirit transforms our lives This will be seen in: how we live out our vocations how we respond as husband or wife, as a parent to our children, as a child to our parents our conversations with others how we conduct ourselves in our work environment how we drive when behind the steering wheel of a car how we wait in a long queue at the supermarket check-out
The Holy Spirit transforms our lives Our lives will reflect more closely the fruit of the Spirit – that is love from which flows: joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness self-control (Gal 5:22-23)
The Holy Spirit transforms our lives This love will be seen as: Compassion Kindness Humility A desire to “bear with [others] and forgive... grievances” (Col 3: 12-14)
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [Acts 2:38]
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. [1 Corinthians 12:3-6]
Joan Scriven is acknowledged for the preparation of this resource