This week we continue our Worship series on the Apostle’s Creed called “We Believe.” During this time, we explore one of the most common affirmations of faith, originating from some of the earliest Christians.
This third week we consider God’s Holy Spirit. The words in Hebrew and Greek for spirit (ruach and pneuma respectively) generally have more than one additional meaning including breath, air, and wind. Consider, then, that it is God’s Spirit that is close enough to be the air that we breathe, that is essential for our very lives, that sustains us and equips us for the very act of living. Perhaps in this way we might grow in our understanding of the very closeness of God in each moment of our lives.
Genesis 1:1-2 (CEB)
1 When God began to create the heavens and the earth— 2 the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters…
Acts 2:1-4 (CEB)
1 When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
- What is your understanding of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)? What is your understanding of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament? How are these similar? How are they different?
- Look in a hymnal or song book for hymns about the Holy Spirit. If you don’t have something like this with you, consider favorite hymns or songs from your memory. What do these teach you about the Holy Spirit? Which hymns or songs speak the most to you? What words or lines from these do you love? Which do you dislike?
- Have you had experiences of the Holy Spirit? What were those experiences like? How did/do you feel?
One Comment
Rebecca Tseng Smith
I think the “breath” of the Hebrew Bible is a mysterious thing, giving shape to creation and life to Adam and Eve.
The holy spirit that descends like a dove at Jesus’ baptism seems more a message of assurance to human beings and makes me think of one of my favorite gospel hymns.
There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place and I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord. There are sweet expressions on each face, and I know they feel the presence of the Lord. Sweet holy spirit. Sweet heavenly dove. Stay right here with us, filling us with your love. And, for these blessings, we lift our hearts in prayer. Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived when we shall leave this place.
Commenting has been turned off.