This Sunday is Pentecost. The name Pentecost from the Greek word for fifty or the fiftieth day was applied to the Jewish Festival of Weeks. At this festival, the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ's disciples in a powerful new way (Acts 2). We can say many things about the Holy Spirit, but one of my favorite verses is from the Gospel of John. In John 14:26, Jesus tells the disciples, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (ESV)
As Jesus looks toward His return to the heavenly Father, He promises His disciples that they will continue to be aided and guided by God. God the heavenly Father will send the Paraclete, Advocate, or Helper to the disciples in Christ's name. As long as they remain in this world, Christians will still need to be taught and guided. They will continue to need to be reminded of Christ's teachings and how to apply them. Although the Holy Spirit has worked and continues to work in many ways, the central work of the Holy Spirit among Christians is to help them remember and apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, there have been many misunderstandings and distortions of this work of the Holy Spirit among believers. People have gone to extremes, and many have neglected Scripture and Christ's Sacraments in favor of some nebulous "spirituality." However, true spirituality inspired by the Holy Spirit cannot be separated from the written and living Word of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit never contradicts the revelation in Christ. Rather the Holy Spirit brings Scripture to our remembrance, makes it alive, and helps us apply it in our situations!
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