The Holy Spirit

The lecture by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the theology of the Holy Spirit and His divine being as the Holy Spirit of God, and affirms that He is divine, Creator, all-knowing and omnipresent, and the source of revelation, power and life. It deals with how the Spirit worked in Scripture from creation to the New Covenant and His role in the hope of resurrection and the power to give life.

The spiritual and educational dimension from the perspective of our Coptic Orthodox faith:
It shows that believers’ relationships with the Holy Spirit begin with spiritual birth in the sacrament of baptism, and the outpouring of the Spirit in the sacrament of chrismation, then the Spirit’s work continues in the believer’s life as a true “fellowship” — meaning the Spirit works in us, with us and through us. This work appears in the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, meekness, temperance, goodness…) and in the gifts of the Spirit which are given according to the measure of faith to serve the Church and the proclamation.

Tangible effects and spirituality:
The Spirit gives a spiritual warmth that kindles love, worship and holiness, and grants power, steadfastness, courage and authority over the body and evil. A believer led by the Spirit shows clear spiritual behavior, internal and external effect, spiritual transparency and sometimes spiritual revelations.

Warnings and practical behaviors:
It warns against grieving the Spirit, quenching the Spirit, or resisting Him — for human freedom remains, but partnership with the Spirit requires submission and surrender. The believer must avoid what weakens the Spirit or extinguishes its warmth and must keep prayer, almsgiving, fasting and liturgies as means of spiritual growth.

Practical summary:
What is required of every believer is a positive stance toward the Holy Spirit: to be born of the Spirit, receive fellowship, grow in the relationship, and obtain the fruits and gifts of the Spirit to live a victorious and effective life in service of the Church and the world.

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