Dear Folks,

One thing we better not forget about Acts of the Apostles is the Holy Spirit. In fact, it has been called the Gospel of the Holy Spirit. We tend not to talk much about the Holy Spirit because he is generally at work in the background.  

It is helpful to think of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles is one work (just as it is useful to see the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation as one book). 

The Gospel of Luke will show the Holy Spirit active from the beginning of the Gospel story.  

“Even when he is still in his mother’s womb, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15b).”

“The angel Gabriel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35).’” 

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the babe leaped in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb (Luke 1:41-42).’” 

“Then the child’s father was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people and redeemed them (Luke 1:67-68).’”

The brief story of Simeon at the temple had three mentions of the Holy Spirit (see Luke 2:25-27).

All four Gospels (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32-33) show Jesus having a new relationship with the Holy Spirit at His baptism. 

By the way, we will also see the Holy Spirit in the farewell discourse of the Gospel of John (See John 14:15-17 and 16:7-15). I would also point you to the Book of Revelation 22:1 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb.” This is the Trinity. “God and the Lamb” was pre-Nicean language for God the Father and God the Son, while the water of life is the Holy Spirit (John 7:39).

Acts of the Apostles, in the intro, shows Jesus just before He ascends, talking to the “apostles He has chosen” and “giving instructions through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:2). He talks to them one last time and twice promises the Holy Spirit (vv. 5 and 8). 

Then we see the story of Pentecost in chapter 2.   I dare you to read Acts 2 and consider that in your baptism you received the Holy Spirit for rebirth, and in confirmation you received that Holy Spirit for mission.  How is God calling you to mission?

Blessings,

Fr. Jim