Wikipedia : Stained glass representation of the Holy Spirit as a dove, c. 1660
The Holy Spirit is referred to as "the Lord, the Giver of Life" in the Nicene Creed, which summarises several key beliefs held by many Christian denominations. The participation of the Holy Spirit in the tripartite nature of conversion is apparent in Jesus' final post-resurrection instruction to his disciples at the end of the Gospel of Matthew ( 28:19 ): "make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," and "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." [14] Since the first century, Christians have also called upon God with the trinitarian formula "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" in prayer, absolution and benediction.
Another Christian faith which generates much controversy is the belief in the Holy Trinity. What this simply means is that while the Christian God is monotheistic God, he is conceived as consisting of three persons - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The background to this belief appears to the based on Christianity's trimodal experience of God as the creator God- Father, God incarnated in Jesus Christ - the Son; and the enabling God, the Paraclete- the Holy Spirit. The problem here has been how to affirm a monotheistic God within the context of Trinitarian theology. The answer, provided by the council of Constantinople (382), declared that the Holy Spirit is one in substance (consubstantial) with the Father and Son. The Christian God then remains one undivided and simple God, but having three persons. The relationship between the three persons in the one Godhead has remained a mystery which Christian teachers down the ages have declared as beyound human comprehension.
Specific New Testament references to the interaction of Jesus and the Holy Spirit during his earthly life, and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit during his ministry include:
- "Spirit without measure" having been given to Jesus in John 3:34 , referring to the word spoken by Jesus (Rhema ) being the words of God.
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. - John 3:34
- Baptism of Jesus , with the Holy Spirit descending on him as a dove in Matthew 3:13–17 , Mark 1:9–11 and Luke 3:21–23
- Temptation of Jesus , in Matthew 4:1 the Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert to be tempted.
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. - Matthew 4:1
- The Spirit casting out demons ( Matthew 12:28 ), in Exorcising the blind and mute man miracle.
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. - Matthew 12:28
- Rejoice the Spirit in Luke 10:21 where seventy disciples are sent out by Jesus
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. - Luke 10:21
- Acts 1:2 states that until his death and resurrection, Jesus "had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles"
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: - Acts 1:2
- Hebrews 9:14 states that Jesus "through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God"
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
. - Hebrews 9:14
- In his Farewell Discourse to his disciples, Jesus promised that he would "send the Holy Spirit" to them after his departure, in John 15:26 stating: "whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth ... shall bear witness of me".
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: - John 15:26
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BASIC DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANS - THE BELIEF ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
MAJOR DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANS - THE BELIEF ABOUT GOD
