The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit acts as a guide, as we make decisions and choices.

As the giver of life 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 of the mighty deeds of Jesus (John 14:26)


The Holy Spirit is the source of inspiration within human beings to find thier full humanity.

Pentecost

1. 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.

2. When was Pentecost first celebrated?

It dates back to the first century.

3. Who / what is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity.  He is fully God. He is eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, has a will, and can speak. He is alive. He is a person.

4. What happened at Pentecost?

Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' 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. 

5. What part of the year is Pentecost celebrated?

Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after Easter.

6. 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 means that the Spirit breathes peace.

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

When people allow this divine Spirit to energize them they are filled with love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control.

What we believe about Jesus

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

2 Is Jesus Christ truly God?
Jesus Christ is truly God, the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son, the Eternal Word, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit always was, is and always will be.
'In the begimmimg was the Word' (John 1:1)



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

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

5 What do we call the mystery of God becoming Man?
We call this mystery 'the Incarnation' which means that God the Son, became mab, a human being like us in all things except sin. 'the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:14).

6 How many natures are there in Jesus?
There are two natures in Jesus, the Divine nature of God and the Human nature of man.

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 everlasting life with God.

8 What does the name 'Jesus' mean?
The name 'Jesus' means 'Saviour.

9 What does the name 'Christ" mean?
The name 'Christ' means 'Anointed'.

10 What do these name tell us?
That Jesus was anointed by God the Father to be our Saviour.