5.16.20 - Who is the Holy Spirit?

This is the 6th Sunday of Easter, 5th Sunday after Easter (discuss)

Below, I provide the readings and questions immediately follow. This will be the main SHARE for our Zoom meeting on Monday.

Acts of the Apostles 8:5-8, 14-17: Philip and the laying on of hands/Confirmation

Setting: After the martyrdom of Stephen (deacon), many Christians fled Jerusalem.

Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. And the crowds with one accord gave heed to what Philip said when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Questions:

What this Philip the Apostle or Philip the Deacon?

Why did he go to Samaria?

Why did Peter and John have to come, and what is the significance of the "laying of hands"?

1 Peter 3:13-17

Always be prepared to give an explanation to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good behavior in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is the will of God, than for doing wrong.

Questions:

Hope is optimism based on belief. People are attracted to such people.

Do you feel like you are a spiritually hopeful person?

If asked, could you give an explanation of the hope in you?

Can you give an example in your life where you put yourself at risk for doing the right thing?

John 14:15-21

Jesus’ Farewell Discourse cont’d: The Advocate/Jesus’ Commandment

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him because he remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while, the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will also live. On that day, you will know that I am in my Father and you are in me, and I in you. Whoever observes my commandments is the one who loves me; and whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.

Questions:

Is it reasonable to say, “If you love me, keep my commandments”?

What commandments?

How is our love connected to the commandments?

What is meant by Paraclete?

What is meant by “another” Paraclete?

Why will the world no longer see Jesus, but they will?

Why can’t the world receive the Spirit of Truth?

Why does Jesus call the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of Truth”?

There is significant Trinitarian meaning to Jesus’ invoking name of the Holy Spirit, including calling him the Spirit of Truth. Discuss.

See you Monday!

Ron