The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit

The ParacleteThe Paraclete

Final part of Jesus Creed…Final part of Jesus Creed…

“… “… he ascended to heaven and is seated he ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the come again to judge the living and the dead.”dead.”

Ascension:Ascension:

The Ascension of Jesus refers to the time when The Ascension of Jesus refers to the time when Jesus stopped appearing to the disciples in Jesus stopped appearing to the disciples in visible, human form.visible, human form.

Being seated at the Father’s right hand means Being seated at the Father’s right hand means that Jesus continually prays for us as the that Jesus continually prays for us as the Messiah and King.Messiah and King.

Just before Jesus ascended he told his Just before Jesus ascended he told his followers, “I am going to send you what the followers, “I am going to send you what the Father promised; but stay in the city until you Father promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high… he have been clothed with power from on high… he left them and was taken up into heaven (Lk.24).”left them and was taken up into heaven (Lk.24).”

The Ascension:The Ascension:

Remember:Remember:Ancient Jewish view of universeAncient Jewish view of universe

Assign.Assign.

Read Acts 1:1-11 (p.180) and answer the Read Acts 1:1-11 (p.180) and answer the following questions:following questions:

1.1. How many days was Jesus present from his How many days was Jesus present from his resurrection to his ascension?resurrection to his ascension?

2.2. What command did Jesus give to his followers What command did Jesus give to his followers before he ascended?before he ascended?

3.3. What did Jesus say that the Holy Spirit would What did Jesus say that the Holy Spirit would do to the followers?do to the followers?

4.4. What did the two men dressed in white say What did the two men dressed in white say after Jesus had ascended?after Jesus had ascended?

The Final Part of the Apostles The Final Part of the Apostles CreedCreed

“… “… I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”

We will be talking about the role of the We will be talking about the role of the Holy Spirit in the world over the next Holy Spirit in the world over the next couple days…couple days…

Key Verse from the Acts of the Key Verse from the Acts of the Apostles 1:8 (Note: slide bground)Apostles 1:8 (Note: slide bground)

““But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”earth.”

Disciple means one who learnsDisciple means one who learns Apostle means one who is sentApostle means one who is sent On July 15On July 15thth of every year the church celebrates the of every year the church celebrates the

dispersion of the Apostles.dispersion of the Apostles. Christianity has, from the beginning, had a missionary Christianity has, from the beginning, had a missionary

message.message. If the Apostles had not left then we would not know If the Apostles had not left then we would not know

about Christ today. (see PG. 180 of your Bible)about Christ today. (see PG. 180 of your Bible)

So What?So What? What happened when this power came upon the What happened when this power came upon the

disciples? How did it happen?disciples? How did it happen? Read Acts 1:12-26.Read Acts 1:12-26. They became Apostles.They became Apostles. Q: What were the requirements for being a Q: What were the requirements for being a

disciple?disciple? Q: Who were the two candidates?Q: Who were the two candidates? Who was chosen? HowWho was chosen? How Then what happened…Then what happened… Stay tuned next class.Stay tuned next class.

Questions: Read Acts 2:1-47 Questions: Read Acts 2:1-47 (p.181)(p.181)

1.1. What did the wind represent? The tongues? What did the wind represent? The tongues? (re: Tower of Babel)(re: Tower of Babel)

2.2. What did people think was happening to the What did people think was happening to the believers?believers?

3.3. Who preached to the crowds about Jesus?Who preached to the crowds about Jesus?4.4. What did Peter say to do to believe in Jesus?What did Peter say to do to believe in Jesus?5.5. How many people joined the Jesus movement How many people joined the Jesus movement

on that day?on that day?6.6. What did the new believers devote themselves What did the new believers devote themselves

to (vs.42)?to (vs.42)?

PentecostPentecost

Pentecost: Feast of WeeksPentecost: Feast of Weeks

Held 50 days after PassoverHeld 50 days after Passover Festival of thanksgiving for the harvested Festival of thanksgiving for the harvested

cropscrops Jews of many nations would gather in Jews of many nations would gather in

Jerusalem for this festivalJerusalem for this festival Thus, Peter’s speech was given to an Thus, Peter’s speech was given to an

international audience, and it resulted in a international audience, and it resulted in a worldwide harvest of new believers—the worldwide harvest of new believers—the first converts to the Way.first converts to the Way.

The Birth of the WayThe Birth of the Way

What do you think about the first followers of What do you think about the first followers of Jesus being known as followers of the Way?Jesus being known as followers of the Way?

Is there a difference between believing in a set Is there a difference between believing in a set of ideals or following a person?of ideals or following a person?

Think about it…Think about it… Do you think Christianity today has become too Do you think Christianity today has become too

much about following a set of beliefs rather than much about following a set of beliefs rather than following Jesus way of life?following Jesus way of life?

The word Christian means little Christ’s or The word Christian means little Christ’s or Christ-ones.Christ-ones.

What did the earliest believers do?What did the earliest believers do?

Review:Review: They devoted themselves to four things:They devoted themselves to four things:

1.1. The teaching of the apostlesThe teaching of the apostles

2.2. To the communal lifeTo the communal life

3.3. The breaking of breadThe breaking of bread

4.4. To prayersTo prayers

**In this way a movement about a different way of **In this way a movement about a different way of living had started with Jesus and his first living had started with Jesus and his first followersfollowers

The Story We Find Ourselves InThe Story We Find Ourselves In

1.1. What feelings did Kincaid experience in What feelings did Kincaid experience in church? Have you ever had any church? Have you ever had any experiences like that?experiences like that?

2.2. What was Kincaid experiencing?What was Kincaid experiencing?3.3. What choice did Dan say that Kincaid What choice did Dan say that Kincaid

had to make after experiencing what he had to make after experiencing what he did?did?

4.4. What three things does the Spirit do What three things does the Spirit do inside of us?inside of us?

The Beginnings…The Beginnings…

Jesus brought together a community of men and Jesus brought together a community of men and women who were called out from the crowds to women who were called out from the crowds to be disciples.be disciples.

These disciples were the sent out as apostles These disciples were the sent out as apostles into the world on a mission of expressing Jesus’ into the world on a mission of expressing Jesus’ message of God’s kingdom, and helping others message of God’s kingdom, and helping others become disciples who will in turn help others.become disciples who will in turn help others.

The movement spread from country to country, The movement spread from country to country, generation to generation, all the way to us today.generation to generation, all the way to us today.

It was not easy…It was not easy…The history of the WayThe history of the Way

Read Acts 3 and 4 and answer the Read Acts 3 and 4 and answer the following questions:following questions:

1.1. Where did Peter and John go at 3 Where did Peter and John go at 3 o’clock? Who did they meet there?o’clock? Who did they meet there?

2.2. What did Peter give the man? Where did What did Peter give the man? Where did Peter say the power to heal came from?Peter say the power to heal came from?

3.3. In ch. 4 who confronted Peter and John? In ch. 4 who confronted Peter and John? What did they warn them not to do? How What did they warn them not to do? How did Peter and John respond?did Peter and John respond?

The Early Persecuted ChristiansThe Early Persecuted Christians

Christians were persecuted for their strange Christians were persecuted for their strange beliefs and their way of non-violence when beliefs and their way of non-violence when asked to give up their beliefs.asked to give up their beliefs.

Christians met secretly for hundreds of years Christians met secretly for hundreds of years until an Emperor of the dying Roman Emperor until an Emperor of the dying Roman Emperor named Constantine made Christianity the official named Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome (story of battle)religion of Rome (story of battle)

Q: Many people think that the acceptance of Q: Many people think that the acceptance of Christianity by the Roman Empire was a bad Christianity by the Roman Empire was a bad thing for Christianity. Why? Do you agree? Why thing for Christianity. Why? Do you agree? Why or why not?or why not?

The Roman Catholic ChurchThe Roman Catholic Church

Rome became the headquarters for the Rome became the headquarters for the Christian movement… Both Peter and Christian movement… Both Peter and Paul moved there and were killed there…Paul moved there and were killed there…

St. Peter’s Basilica was built on top of St. Peter’s Basilica was built on top of Peter’s corpse.Peter’s corpse.

Constantine found Peter’s bones and built Constantine found Peter’s bones and built a church on top of it.a church on top of it.

Do you think Jesus would have wanted Do you think Jesus would have wanted this? this?

The VaticanThe Vatican

Or this?Or this?

The Holy catholic The Holy catholic ChurchChurch

What is Church?What is Church?

Means “belonging to the Lord”Means “belonging to the Lord” Local: A community of Christians who Local: A community of Christians who

gather to worship gather to worship Global: It is also the whole worldwide Global: It is also the whole worldwide

gathering of those who have faith in Jesus gathering of those who have faith in Jesus ChristChrist

The Mystery of the ChurchThe Mystery of the Church

Mystery is a reality filled with God’s Mystery is a reality filled with God’s invisible presenceinvisible presence

The Church is at the same time:The Church is at the same time: A visible group and a spiritual communityA visible group and a spiritual community A group organized with a fixed order and A group organized with a fixed order and

the mystical body of Christthe mystical body of Christ An earthly community blessed with An earthly community blessed with

heavenly richesheavenly riches

Metaphors of the ChurchMetaphors of the Church

The Church is in a marriage union with ChristThe Church is in a marriage union with Christ The Church is a pilgrim on a journey towards a The Church is a pilgrim on a journey towards a

final destination (my icon)final destination (my icon) The Church is a flock with Christ as the Good The Church is a flock with Christ as the Good

ShepherdShepherd The Church is a vineyard with Christ giving it life The Church is a vineyard with Christ giving it life

and fruitfulnessand fruitfulness The Church is like a human bodyThe Church is like a human body

The Body of ChristThe Body of Christ

The Good ShepherdThe Good Shepherd

The Church’s mission statementThe Church’s mission statement

MessageMessage Has often been abused (residential schools)Has often been abused (residential schools) God’s love in Jesus ChristGod’s love in Jesus Christ

CommunityCommunity A group of people who really love each otherA group of people who really love each other

ServiceService Offering our lives for othersOffering our lives for others

WorshipWorship Is realizing that God is the source of lifeIs realizing that God is the source of life

Leadership within the ChurchLeadership within the ChurchDifferent opinionsDifferent opinions

Leadership structures within the catholic Leadership structures within the catholic (universal) Church are based primarily on (universal) Church are based primarily on the Bible verse in Matt.16: 17-19the Bible verse in Matt.16: 17-19

After Peter said Jesus was the Christ, After Peter said Jesus was the Christ, Jesus said to Peter:Jesus said to Peter:

… … you are Peter, and on this rock I will you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…the kingdom of heaven…

Different interpretations:Different interpretations:

The Rock is:The Rock is: Peter the Apostle Peter the Apostle

(Catholic)(Catholic) Jesus, Peter is just Jesus, Peter is just

one of the stones one of the stones (Orthodox)(Orthodox)

The confession of The confession of Peter that Jesus is Peter that Jesus is the Christ (Protestant)the Christ (Protestant)

The Kingdom Keys:The Kingdom Keys: Peter is the first pope Peter is the first pope

and his successors and his successors are Jesus’ rep’s on are Jesus’ rep’s on earth (Catholic)earth (Catholic)

All Christians have All Christians have authority to act as authority to act as Jesus’ rep’s equally Jesus’ rep’s equally (Protestant)(Protestant)

Different responses to the Gentiles:Different responses to the Gentiles:

Judaizers (some Jewish Christians)Judaizers (some Jewish Christians) Gentiles must become Jewish first to be eligible for Gentiles must become Jewish first to be eligible for

salvationsalvation

Gentile ChristiansGentile Christians Faith in Christ as Savoir is the only requirement for Faith in Christ as Savoir is the only requirement for

salvationsalvation

Peter and JamesPeter and James Faith is the only requirement, but there must be Faith is the only requirement, but there must be

evidence of change by rejecting the old life-styleevidence of change by rejecting the old life-style

Catholic Perspective:Catholic Perspective:

See handoutSee handout

The Church: Who’s In and who’s The Church: Who’s In and who’s not?not?

Can non-Christians get to heavenCan non-Christians get to heaven Three BaptismsThree Baptisms Water—official way to join the churchWater—official way to join the church Blood—if killed/persecuted for justice, Blood—if killed/persecuted for justice,

truth, Jesustruth, Jesus Desire—people who haven’t heard of Desire—people who haven’t heard of

Christ but who respond to the graces God Christ but who respond to the graces God gives them and live according to their gives them and live according to their consciences.consciences.

The Marks of the ChurchThe Marks of the Church

One—Diversity within unityOne—Diversity within unity Holy—made up of holy ones or saints, us!Holy—made up of holy ones or saints, us! Catholic—means universalCatholic—means universal

It is open to all people of every raceIt is open to all people of every race Least amount of followers in its birth placeLeast amount of followers in its birth place

Apostolic—means one who is sentApostolic—means one who is sent Meant to be Christ’s hands and feet to the Meant to be Christ’s hands and feet to the

worldworld

EcumenismEcumenism

The movement which seeks the union of The movement which seeks the union of all Christian religions and eventually the all Christian religions and eventually the unity of all peoples throughout the worldunity of all peoples throughout the world

Very needed in today’s world with so many Very needed in today’s world with so many diff. splits in Christianity and in all of the diff. splits in Christianity and in all of the world religionsworld religions

My friend AbbasMy friend Abbas Pere was very ecumenicalPere was very ecumenical

Hope…Hope…

SimilaritiesSimilarities

Faith in the Trinity (unlike cults)Faith in the Trinity (unlike cults) Acceptance of the BibleAcceptance of the Bible Prayer and gracePrayer and grace Gifts of the Holy SpiritGifts of the Holy Spirit The sacrament of BaptismThe sacrament of Baptism Commitment to God’s kingdom and desire Commitment to God’s kingdom and desire

to live a moral life and serve othersto live a moral life and serve others

The Story We Find Ourselves In: The Story We Find Ourselves In: Ch. 27 A Junior High Kid at DanceCh. 27 A Junior High Kid at Dance

1.1. What is the name of the final episode of What is the name of the final episode of “The Story We Find Ourselves In”? “The Story We Find Ourselves In”?

2.2. What experience does Kincaid relate What experience does Kincaid relate prayer to? How did he relate his prayer to? How did he relate his experience in church to a cup of coffee?experience in church to a cup of coffee?

3.3. What was Kerry’s birthday wish?What was Kerry’s birthday wish?

4.4. Have you had a memorable prayer Have you had a memorable prayer experience? What happened?experience? What happened?

The Communion of The Communion of SaintsSaints

All God’s PeopleAll God’s People

The Communion of Saints:The Communion of Saints:St. Francis of AssisiSt. Francis of Assisi

The Communion of SaintsThe Communion of Saints

People who have responded to God’s People who have responded to God’s invitation in Christ to be redeemed.invitation in Christ to be redeemed.

Includes the Church on earth, in heaven, Includes the Church on earth, in heaven, and in purgatory.and in purgatory.

The Communion of Saints:The Communion of Saints:3 major parts3 major parts

1.1. The pilgrim Church – those of us who are The pilgrim Church – those of us who are living on earth today aka Church militantliving on earth today aka Church militant

2.2. The Church suffering – those undergoing The Church suffering – those undergoing purification in purgatory.purification in purgatory.

3.3. The Church triumphant – those in The Church triumphant – those in heavenheaven

What is Purgatory?What is Purgatory?

A state of purification or accountability that takes A state of purification or accountability that takes place after death for those who need to be made place after death for those who need to be made clean and holy before meeting God in heaven.clean and holy before meeting God in heaven.

We have moments of purgatory on earth when We have moments of purgatory on earth when we feel remorse or guilt for wrongdoings.we feel remorse or guilt for wrongdoings.

God wants us to shed our guilt before entering God wants us to shed our guilt before entering our new life.our new life.

Ex. Like a caterpillar to butterfly.Ex. Like a caterpillar to butterfly.

Who are the Saints?Who are the Saints?

Saint means holy or set apartSaint means holy or set apart They’re both on earth and in heavenThey’re both on earth and in heaven Asking them for prayers is like asking someone Asking them for prayers is like asking someone

down here for prayers.down here for prayers. Catholics venerate or honor saints, not worship Catholics venerate or honor saints, not worship

them as worship is for God alone.them as worship is for God alone. We can ask both family members and well We can ask both family members and well

known saints for their prayers.known saints for their prayers. All saints are alive either in this world or the All saints are alive either in this world or the

next.next.

What About Mary?What About Mary?

Mary was given to be the mother of the Mary was given to be the mother of the Church meaning all of us.Church meaning all of us.

She is our mum in heavenShe is our mum in heaven Her greatest example is her “yes” to God Her greatest example is her “yes” to God

during the incarnation.during the incarnation. The Church has given Mary four major The Church has given Mary four major

titles titles

Mary: 4 TitlesMary: 4 Titles

Immaculate Conception – free of original Immaculate Conception – free of original sin so that she could house God in her sin so that she could house God in her wombwomb

Virgin Mary – a virgin her whole life.Virgin Mary – a virgin her whole life. Mother of God, Mother of the Church – Mother of God, Mother of the Church –

Mother of Jesus. Mother of Jesus. Assumption of Mary – she didn’t die. She Assumption of Mary – she didn’t die. She

is in heaven as in Rev. 12.is in heaven as in Rev. 12.

Mary, Queen of HeavenMary, Queen of Heaven

The Communion of SaintsThe Communion of Saints

Pic from Rapheal roomPic from Rapheal room