THE APOSTLES’ CREED: ARTICLE 8

I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

WHAT ARE THE THREE PARTS OF THE 8TH ARTICLE?

The 8TH Article of the Creed is divided into three parts:

1. The Third Person of the Trinity
2. The Manifestations of the Holy Spirit
3. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY:

Who is the Holy Spirit?
 The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity; he is
God, like the Father and the Son.
This truth was revealed by Jesus, who said: “Go and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY:

How do we prove that the Holy Spirit is God?

1. The incarnation of Christ. If the Holy Spirit were not God, Mary
would have conceived Jesus on her own, but this is impossible.

2. The Baptism of Jesus. If the Holy Spirit were not God, to say
that he came down like a dove would be senseless.
 3. The Pentecost. Fifty days after the resurrection The Holy Spirit
appeared as tongues of fire.

THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY:

Why is the Third Person called Holy Spirit?
 The Holy Spirit is the breath of God, which is called ruah in
Hebrew, pneuma in Greek, and spiritus in Latin.
 The breath of God gives life: God gave life to Adam by
breathing into his nostrils; and Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to
the Apostles by breathing
The attribute Holy was added to avoid any equivocation with souls
of the departed (spirits of the dead) or the angels (pure spirits).

THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY:

Why is the Holy Spirit called the Paraclete?
The Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete, a Greek word which means
“consoler” or “advocate,” for two reasons:
1. Because in time of trial and suffering, the Holy Spirit is on our
side to console and bring us peace.
Because when we are brought to trial before men or God, the Holy
Spirit will be on our side as a defense lawyer.

THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY:

Why is the Holy Spirit “proceeding” from the Father and the Son?
 To say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son
means to profess that he is of their same divine substance.
Since the Holy Spirit is eternal, without beginning or end, he was not
created but proceeded from the Father and the Son.
THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY:
What are the heresies against the Holy Spirit?
 Macedonianism: This heresy denies the divinity of the Holy Spirit, who is considered as
a creation of the Son, and a servant of the Father and of the Son.
 Unitarianism: This heresy claims that only the Father is God; that Jesus Christ was
prophet created by God; and that the Holy Spirit is simply an abstract idea of the love of
God.

THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

What are the major manifestations of the Holy Spirit?

1. The inspiration of the Bible. The Holy Spirit inspired the

sacred writers of the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:20-21).

2. The virginal conception. The Virgin Mary conceived by the

Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).
 3. The baptism of Jesus. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus at the
Jordan River (Matthew 3:16).

4. The Pentecost. The Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles

on Pentecost day (Acts 2:1-4).

THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

What are the four symbols of the Holy Spirit?
1. Water: The Holy Spirit is represented by water because it
represents the new life we receive in Baptism.

2. Oil: The Holy Spirit is represented by oil because it signifies

consecration.

3. Fire: The Holy Spirit is represented by fire because the love of

God is like a fire.
 4. Dove: The Holy Spirit is represented by a dove because it
signifies purity and holiness.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
 The gifts, or charisms, of the Holy Spirit are the spiritual graces
bestowed upon humans for the good of the Church and of the
world.
 Each person is entrusted with a particular charism; for instance,
St. Francis was given the charism of poverty; while St. Dominic that
of preaching.
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are the most important charisms
bestowed by God. (Isaiah 11:2-3).

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The First Gift: WISDOM
 It is the predisposition to judge and order all things according
to God’s will; and its contrary is foolishness.
The model of wisdom is King Solomon (970-931 BC). The Lord told him
to ask for any gift whatsoever – such as riches, power, and glory; but
instead Solomon requested for wisdom to be able to guide his people.
(cf. 2 Chronicles 1:7-12).

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Second Gift: UNDERSTANDING

 It is the predisposition to comprehend the truths of our faith in
an easy and profound way; its contrary is unawareness.
The model of understanding is St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), who
was given the finest intellect to be able to understand and explain the
truths of the Christian faith.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Third Gift: COUNSEL

 It is the predisposition to discern correctly and immediately the
will of God in the different circumstances of our life. It is also called
discernment or right judgment, and its contrary is stubbornness.
The model of counsel is St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), who was
bestowed with the gift of reading the people’s mind and of foreseeing the
future.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Fourth Gift: STRENGTH

 It is the predisposition to persevere in fulfilling God’s will in
moments of trials. It is also called fortitude, and its contrary is
weakness.
The model of strength is the Blessed Virgin Mary, because she
persevered in her faith against all odds.
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Fifth Gift: KNOWLEDGE
 It is the predisposition to discover the truths of the spiritual and
material world, and to relate them to the Creator; its contrary is
ignorance.
The model of knowledge is St. Francis of Assisi (111-1226), because he was
able to see in every creature the manifestation of the love of God.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Sixth Gift: PIETY

 It is the predisposition to worship God with all our heart, and to love
our neighbor as ourselves. It is also called reverence, and its contrary is
wickedness.
The model of piety is St. Maximillian Kolbe (1894-1941), because he spent all
of his life praying to God; and he died offering his life for the salvation of a
fellow prisoner in Auschwitz.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Seventh Gift: FEAR OF THE LORD
 It is the predisposition to respect the majesty of God and to be scared
of sin. Fear is not terror, but the filial respect for God, and its contrary
is disrespect.
The model of the fear of the Lord is Abel, because he offered his best lambs
to the Lord as a token of respect and love (cf. Genesis 4:3-5).

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: How can we receive the gifts of the Holy
Spirit?
 The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given through Baptism, Confirmation, and
prayer, as Jesus said: “Your Father in Heaven gives the Holy Spirit to
those who ask him” (Luke 11:13).
St. Philip Neri used to ask daily for the Holy Spirit. On the vigil of Pentecost of
1544, he became so inflamed with divine love that he shouted: “Enough, O
Lord! I am unable to bear such excessive happiness!”