There is much confusion in today’s world on the person and the work of the Holy Spirit. Not only is there confusion but evangelicalism is inundated with clearly false teaching on the role of the Holy Spirit. The other night I was reading Martin Luther’s Smaller Catechism and was struck by the clarity in which he catechized about the Holy Spirit. I believe that part of the problem to why there is so much confusion and so many false ideas surrounding the Holy Spirit is due to the fact that most of today’s Christian parents do not catechize their children. I don’t mean that in a necessarily condemning way, mainly just observing. So in this post I have decided to simply post Martin Luther’s Catechism on the subject of the Holy Spirit; enjoy!
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Holy Trinity, true God with the Father and the Son – therefore not merely the power or energy of God (Matt. 28v19).
How do you know that the Holy Spirit is God?
Because the Scriptures clearly call Him God, teaching that A) the Holy Spirit has divine names (Acts 5v3-4, 1 Cor. 3v16); B) the Holy Spirit possesses divine attributes (properties or characteristics) (Ps. 139v7-10, 1 Cor. 2v10, Heb. 9v14); C) the Holy Spirit does divine works (which only God can do) (Gen. 1v2, Titus 3v5); D) the Holy Spirit receives divine honor and glory (1 Peter 4v14).
What is the special work of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit sanctifies me (makes me holy) by bringing me to faith in Christ, so that I might have the blessings of redemption and lead a godly life (1 Cor. 6v11).
Why do you need the Holy Spirit to begin and sustain this faith in you?
By nature I am spiritually blind, dead, and an enemy of God, as the Scriptures teach; therefore, “I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him.” (1 Cor. 2v14, Eph. 2v1, Rom. 8v7, Eph. 2v8-9, 1 Cor. 12v3).
What has the Holy Spirit done to bring you to faith?
The Holy Spirit “has called me by the Gospel,” that is, He has invited and drawn me by the Gospel to partake of the spiritual blessings that are mine in Christ (Rom. 1v16, 2 Thess. 2v14, Rev. 22v17).
How do the Scriptures describe this gracious work of the Spirit in you?
The Scriptures teach that by the Gospel the Holy Spirit “enlightened me with His gifts,” that is, He gave me the saving knowledge of Jesus, my Savior, so that I trust, rejoice, and find comfort in Him (1 Peter 2v9, 2 Cor. 4v6, 1 Peter 1v8, Rom. 15v13).
What is the work of the Holy Spirit called?
It is called conversion (being turned) or regeneration (new birth) (Ps. 51v13, John 3v5-6).
Why do you say that the Holy Spirit has done this by the Gospel?
The Gospel is the means by which the Holy Spirit offers us all the blessings of Christ and creates faith in us (John 17v20, Rom. 10v17, 1 Cor. 4v15, 1 Peter 1v23, Titus 3v5, John 20v22-23, Matt. 26v27-28).
Besides faith, what else does the Holy Spirit create in you by the Gospel?
The Holy Spirit sanctifies me in the true faith, that is, by faith He works a renewal of my whole life – in spirit, will, attitude, and desires – so that I now strive to overcome sin and do good works (Ps. 51v10, Rom. 8v9, 2 Cor. 5v17, Gal. 5v22-23, Eph. 2v10, Eph. 5v18-20).
What do the Scriptures teach about the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to His church. They teach that A) the Holy Spirit through the Word and sacraments freely gives to all Christians the most precious gifts: faith in Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life; B) in apostolic times the Holy Spirit also gave some Christians the gift to perform miraculous signs and wonders (for example, healings, speaking in tongues, raising the dead). The Scriptures do not teach, however, that God will necessarily give all Christians in every time and place special miraculous gifts. The Holy Spirit bestows His blessing according to His good pleasure (2 Cor. 12v12, Eph. 2v20-22).
Finally, what also does the Holy Spirit do for you?
The Holy Spirit by the Gospel keeps me in the true faith (Phil. 1v6, 1 Peter 1v5, 1 Thess. 2v13).
Can you tell me what edition of the Small Catechism has the passage you’ve included above? I have a copy of the Small Catechism, but cannot find the questions and answers you have posted.
“Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation” published by Concordia Publishing House, 1991