The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit

Beliefs

• the Holy Spirit acts as a guide, as we make decisions and choices.
• as the giver of the Holy Spirit is associated with the breath of God which moves over the void (Genesis 2:2) and is breathed into humanity at its creation (Genesis 2:7)
• the Holy Spirit is the living memory if the mighty deeds of Jesus (John 14:26)
• the Holy Spirit is the source of inspiration within human beings to find their full humanity.

Pentecost

What is the definition of Pentecost?

Pentecost is the great festival that marks the birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost means "fiftieth day" and is celebrated fifty days after Easter.

When was Pentecost first celebrated (which century?)

The first Pentcost was celebtarted 50 days after Easter. The scripture says he came down in a fire and the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirirt.

Who / what is the Holy Spirit?

It is believed to be the love between God and Jesus.

What happened at Pentecost?

Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' mother and family, and many other of His disciples gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads. This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel. The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigor, but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the people present, many who had come from all corners of the Roman Empire. This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about three thousand converts were baptized that day

What part of the year is Pentecost celebrated?

50 days after Easter.

What is Jesus really saying to the folks here - John's Gospel (20:19-23). It tells of a visit of the Risen Christ to the disciples huddled in fear. "Peace be with you," Jesus says. "As the Father sent me, so I am sending you." After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and added, "Receive the Holy Spirit." The breath, the life, of Jesus himself. We are God-breathed. Pentecost celebrates that reality.

It is Jesus giving the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The Holy Spirit is the love between God and Jesus, meaning Jesus is giving his love.

What seems to happen when people allow this divine Spirit to energize them?

Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control.

What we Believe about Jesus

Question 1) Who is Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ is God the Son, who became man for us.

Questoin 2) Is Jesus Christ truly God?

Jesus Christ is truly God, the Second Person of the Trinity, The Son, the Eternal Qord, who with the Father and the Holy Spirirt always was, is, and always will be. 'In the beginning was the Word'.

Question 3) Is Jesus truly man?

Jesus Christ is truly man because he has the nature of man, having a body and soul.

Question 4) Was Jesus Christ always man?

Jesus Christ was not always man but he became man in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

Question 5) What do we call the mystery of God becoming man?

We call this mystery 'The Incarnation' which means that God the Son became man, a human being like us in all things except sin. 'The word was made flesh and dwelt amoung us' (John 1:14).

Question 6) How many natures are there in Jesus?

There are 2 natures in Jesus, the Divine nature of God and the Human nature of man.

Question 7) Why did God the Son, become Man?

God the Son became Man to free us from sin and open to us the way to Heaven and ever lasting life with God.

Question 8) What does the name Jesus mean?

The name Jesus means 'Saviour'

Question 9) What doe the name Christ mean?

The name Christ means 'Anointed'

Question 10) What do these names tell us?

That Jesus was anointed by God the Father to be our saviour.

Salvation Questions

Discussion

1. What reasons do Christians have for being filled with hope?

God gives us through Eternal Life.

2. How can a Christian show that he or she hopes in a life beyond death?

Believe in God and obey his rules, be good and moral.

3. If you have ever attended a Catholic funeral, recall the ideas that came through the service. Certainly there would have been a feeling of sadness, but did any other feelings or ideas come through to you?
The celebration of them joining God n Heave.

4. Catholics often use the term heaven to refer to life after death. What do you understand by this term?

Gods santuary, there is no sin, the perfect place

5. Develop an explanation of the word “heaven” for someone who does not know what the word means.

Heaven is where you go to be with God after death and into enternal life. God decides whether you go there or not. It is like Gods santuary and where he looks over us. This is a get away from life it is peaceful and pefect. There shall be no sin.

God in Art

Analyse the picture on pg. 102 and discuss

" The Regenerated Man"

Changed, touched, filled and baptized with Holy fire. The birth of the regenerated man. Ready to live a purpose-filled life.

Looks like a fire- the fire of the Holy Spirirt

                         - like climbing up to God

                         - is powerful

                         - heavenly

 This photo represents God looking over Earth and everyone.


The beard suggests he is older and wiser.

Represents freedom that God has given us

Nicene Creed

Definition of a Creed

- A creed is a statement of belief, in particular a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community.
- For catholics, the Nicene Creed is the most important expression of faith of the community.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

 

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate

of the Virgin Mary,

and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,

he suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead

and his kingdom will have no end.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the

giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is adored

and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

 

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

 

Five Themes of the Nicene  Creed

God is the Creator of all that exists.

Jesus was and is totally one with God, full divine: of one substance (consubtantial) with the father.

In Jesus, God took  on human flesh and lived amongst us. He was eventually executed by crucifixion, but death did not defeat him as God raised him up so that we could know that all Jesus taught us was true.

The Holy Spirit remains with us, guiding the Church and empowering believes not only to remember but also to live out the message of Jesus.

We are called to live our our faith in community, in "one holy catholic (meaning 'universal') and apostolic (following in the tradition of the Apostles) church."

Beliefs in Religion

1.       Religious communities have BELIEFS.  A religious belief is an idea that the followers of the religion hold to be deeply and permanently true. A Christian example of this is Jesus Christ the Son of God.

2.       Religious communities have RITUALS. A religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. A Christian example is the Celebration of the Eucharist.

3.        Religious communities have SYMBOLS. A thing that represents or stands for something else. A Christian example is the Cross.

4.       Religious communities have VALUES AND LAWS. Is a guide line, a Christian example is law- Ten Commandments, value- treat others as you would want to be treated.

5.       Religious communities have STORIES AND LITERATURE. Story- an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment, literature- Books and writings published on a particular subject. A Christian example is the stories and literature about saints and hold people and religious practices as well as letters.

6.       Religious communities have a SOCIAL STUCTURE. Social organization: the people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships. A Christian example :

GOD

JESUS

 

MANKIND

7.       Religious communities often have a SACRED TEXT.  Writing that is venerated for the worship of a deity. For Christians the sacred text is the Scripture: Old and New Testaments.

8.       All followers of religion have an INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE of what it means to be a member of that religious community. Example someone has been in a car accident and you pray for that person.