Catholic

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Catholic Studies Course
The Church and the Holy Spirit
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• Acts 11 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have
  dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
  2 until the day when he was taken up, after he
  had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to
  the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 To them he
  presented himself alive after his passion by many
  proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and
  speaking of the kingdom of God. 4 And while
  staying with them he charged them not to depart
  from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of
  the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, 5
  for John baptized with water, but before many
  days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
  
• 6 So when they had come together, they asked him,
  "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom
  to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you
  to know times or seasons which the Father has
  fixed by his own authority. 8 But you shall
  receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
  you and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem
  and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of
  the earth." 9 And when he had said this, as they
  were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud
  took him out of their sight.

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• Acts 21 When the day of Pentecost had come, they
  were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a
  sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty
  wind, and it filled all the house where they were
  sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as
  of fire, distributed and resting on each one of
  them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy
  Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as
  the Spirit gave them utterance.
• . . . Peters speech . . .
• 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the
  heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the
  apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38 And
  Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized
  every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
  the forgiveness of your sins and you shall
  receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the
  promise is to you and to your children and to all
  that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God
  calls to him." 40 And he testified with many
  other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save
  yourselves from this crooked generation." 41 So
  those who received his word were baptized, and
  there were added that day about three thousand
  souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the
  apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the
  breaking of bread and the prayers.

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• Acts 4 v.8, 31
• Acts 5 v.32
• Acts 6 v.1-7 (the first deacons men full of
  the Spirit)
• Acts 10 44 While Peter was still saying this,
  the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
  45 And the believers from among the circumcised
  who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift
  of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on
  the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in
  tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,
  47 "Can any one forbid water for baptizing these
  people who have received the Holy Spirit just as
  we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized
  in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him
  to remain for some days.

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The spread of Christianity

• In Acts, the Spirit has a very prominent role in
  the spread of the Gospel.
• First to respond to the good news are Jews.
• In Acts 10-11 apostles realise good news applies
  to Gentiles as well.
• Controversy about circumcision Council of
  Jerusalem (Acts 15), Pauls letters
• Spread of Christianity throughout Mediterranean
  Pauls missionary journeys, founding of churches
  (e.g. Corinth), spread of good news by other
  means.

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AD 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Death of Jesus 29 AD?
Conversion of St Paul 33/34 AD?
Pauls missionary journeys and letters (from c.
48)
Martyrdom of St Paul 64/67 AD
Revelation 68/9 ?
Destruction of Temple 70 AD
Mark (? pre/post-70 AD)
Matthew Luke
John (final version)
Revelation 90s ? (majority view)
1 Clement Ignatius of Antioch
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Parting of the Ways

• Jewish converts continued practise of Jewish
  worship (Acts 2.46) in temple/synagogue, as well
  as meeting in each others homes.
• In some communities parting of ways may not have
  happened until some time after 70 AD
• Many Jewish communities may have had little/no
  contact with Gentiles until after parting of
  ways.
• Note emphasis on Gentile mission in Matthew

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House Churches

• After parting of ways, became necessary to
  establish structures previously provided by
  synagogue.
• Christians tended to meet in homes, therefore
  householders in position of influence.
• Possible a brief period of local administrators
  and wandering charismatic teachers, before local
  leaders assumed charismatic ministry.

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Emergence of Order

• Two tiers of apostolic ministry
• Universal mission of apostles assitants
• Leadership of local churches established by
  apostles (1 Tim, Titus) emergence of local
  presbyter-bishops.
• Bishops emerge as head of local church, taking on
  universal character of apostolic ministry.
• Happens at different pace in each place.
• Ignatius (early 2nd C) claims that 3-fold order
  with monarchical bishop is universal. May not
  have whole picture!

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The Holy Spirit in Scripture

• Hints in OT
• ruach life-giving spirit / breath / wind
• Spirit of God which inspires prophets and leaders
• NT
• Baptism of Christ clear revelation of Spirit
  not just a substitute for Christ from Pentecost
  on.
• Paul Spirit means by which gospel is received
  and we can confess Christ. Spirit builds up
  church. Gifts of Spirit
• Luke-Acts Pentecost structural hinge but note
  Spirits role in incarnation of Jesus. Spirit
  ensures spread of gospel.
• John Spirit enables faith (Nicodemus). Jesus
  hands over his spirit on the cross and gives
  Spirit to disciples on Easter evening. Paraclete
  (Advocate/Consellor/Comferter) in Farewell
  discourse continued presence of Christ in the
  church, though distinct from Jesus.

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The Holy Spirit in Patristic Period

• Liturgy and experience well ahaed of doctrine.
  Divinity of Spirit only defined after divinity of
  Son.
• Spirit fighters argued that Spirit did not
  share divinity of Father and Son (4th C)
• Augustine Spirit is bond of love/unity between
  Father and Son. (so fully divine)
• Can lead to problems if not careful.
• Ultimately led to schism between East and West

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The Holy Spirit in Modern Theology

• In Western theology the HS has often been given
  less emphasis than Father Son
• Difficulties no clear revelation of what HS is
  like, only through experience. Father and Son are
  both holy and spirit!
• Renewal / Charismatic movement greater
  awareness of work of HS
• Renewed emphasis in Vatican II and subsequent
  liturgy.

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The Holy Spirit in the Church

• HS given collectively first!
• Chief role to make Christ present, especially in
  the sacraments
• Enables Church to profess faith together bear
  witness to Christ
• Guided early church in formulation of doctrines,
  and continues to guide church
• Long held conviction that guidance of HS in
  defining and confessing faith means Church does
  so with confidence and infallibily (though
  disagreement about circumstances/practice)
• Principle of Churchs unity, catholicity and
  apostolicity

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The Holy Spirit in the Individual the World

• Santification of individual
• Faith a gift of HS enabling believer to accept
  grace of God
• Enables believer to live as a Christian
• Enables prayer
• At work in world
• Continuing role of preparation for good news of
  Christ
• Active in creation