05/25/2026
Last Friday’s Bible study began with an acknowledgment of the upcoming Feast of the Pentecost, in which the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples. Then we split into 16 pairs, with each pair having a verse(s) pertaining to the Holy Spirit, and went around exchanging our verses with each other until we formed larger groups based on a common theme for our verses.
Our 1st group’s verses, Acts 2:38, and John/Titus 3:5, taught us that we receive the Holy Spirit during our Baptism,
Our 2nd group’s verses answered a question about what aspect might be necessary for someone to have the authority of the Holy Spirit, like a priest or bishop, which was the laying on of hands of the apostles, which was typified in the Old Testament in Numbers 27:18-20, 22-23, and clearly evidence in Acts 6:2-6, 8:14-17, & 13:1-3.
Our 3rd group looked at 2 brief verses, Matthew 16:18 & Matthew 18:18, to explain where that authority of the apostles came from.
Our 4th group looked at this equation in action, with St. Paul’s word to the young bishop Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:14 & 2 Timothy 1:5-6.
Our 5th group reminded us that God is ultimately still the giver of the Holy Spirit, as evidenced in John 20:21-22
And our 6th group taught us that the Holy Spirit leads us and determines our steps, big or small, as we read in Psalm 143:10, Acts 16:6-7, and Romans 8:14.
Our concluding message was to give thanks to God for giving His Holy Spirit by worshipping during Sunday’s Liturgy for the Feast of the Pentecost, and to strive to listen to guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives.
Followed by fellowship, we hope to see you all next week!
