It is an interesting thing, indeed, discussing the Holy Spirit...in researching the "gifts of the Spirit", I came across the confirmation ritual used by our Roman Catholic brethren. Although I may not agree with their views on when and how these gifts are bestowed, I was fascinated by the connection they make between Isaiah's Messianic prophecy and the gifts the Holy Spirit brings to us.
Here is the confirmation litany, note the seven gifts:
All powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon
them to be their helper and guide. Give them:
the spirit of [I] wisdom
and [2] understanding,
the spirit of [3] right judgment
and [4] courage,
the spirit of [5] knowledge
and [6] reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of [7] wonder and awe in your presence.
So, you may ask, (I did), where did they get the idea for these seven gifts? From the prophet Isaiah, who proclaimed the Messiah to come, in this way:
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him;
1]the Spirit of wisdom
2]and of understanding,
3]the Spirit of counsel
4]and of power,
5]the Spirit of knowledge
6]and of the fear of the LORD
7]and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
Isaiah 11:1-2 (find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
(These are not different 'spirits', these are things the Spirit brings. Is that hard to follow? Imagine describing a great person in your life, who was 'a man of action', 'a hard-working man', a kind man' etc...so, then, is the Spirit, one of 'wisdom', and 'power', etc...)
Part of what drove me to this discussion is the great differences between denominational teachings on the Holy Spirit, with the churches labelled "pentecostal" certainly having the stereotype of emphasizing the Holy Spirit. And although there is a 'pentecostal Catholic' movement, one would rarely expect to see that type of worship in a Roman Catholic service.
And yet...
And yet...these wondrous gifts are being pronounced on these children as they become confirmed. They are told that the same Holy Spirit, and the gifts that He brings are available to them. Should we not want these gifts for all of our children? Should we not want them for ourselves?
I do not think that this litany or this Scripture gives the entire story of the gifts of the Spirit.
But, man, what a start.
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Questions:
1. How does your church and/or your denomination express the Holy Spirit?
2. Is there a fear associated with seeking the Spirit's gifts?
3. What do you think of these confirmation words?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"A church in the land without the Spirit is rather a curse than a blessing.
If you have not the Spirit of God, Christian worker,
remember that you stand in somebody else's way;
you are a fruitless tree standing where a fruitful tree might grow."
Charles Spurgeon
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