tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post5910373528529569530..comments2024-03-23T14:04:57.635-05:00Comments on Father Hollywood: Sermon: Quinquagesima – 2012Rev. Larry Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-64876428539676319172012-02-19T22:35:07.209-06:002012-02-19T22:35:07.209-06:00The Apostles could not see regardless of how hard ...The Apostles could not see regardless of how hard they tried.<br /><br />This is what our Lord told them on Maundy Thursday, John 14:26, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”<br /><br />When did they receive the Holy Spirit? On Easter Sunday, John 20: 22, “When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”<br /><br />Did they then suddenly know everything? There is no specific answer in Scripture to this question, but their behavior, particularly in Acts 1, makes it clear that they understood very little. This is exactly what happens to all of the newly baptized when they receive the Holy Spirit. They also do not suddenly know everything, but through their lives in the Kingdom they become more and more knowledgeable as they grow in the faith. We would not know that if our Lord in His mercy had not decreed that fifty day period between His Resurrection and Pentecost.<br /><br />So what happened on Pentecost? Just before His Ascension, our Lord told them, Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." On Pentecost they received this power. This was a unique gift to the Apostles; they had already been given the Holy Spirit. The new-born Church could not wait years for the 11 to come to the full knowledge of the faith in the normal course of event. St. Paul also received his knowledge by revelation.<br /><br />Every baptized child of God has received the gift of the Holy Spirit, even as the first converts on Pentecost, Acts 2:38, “Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” and as St. Paul taught, Romans 8:9, “But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”<br /><br />Therefore, we today can see. Not if we make a real effort, but because the Holy Spirit dwells in us. As Lutherans correctly believe, He still works through means, one of which is His Word. <br /><br />1 Corinthians 4:7, “What do you have that you did not receive?” We are beggars.<br /><br />Peace and Joy!<br />George A. MarquartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com