In Lord’s Day 20 we are confessing the eighth article about our Christian faith: “I believe in the Holy Spirit”

The Catechism is particularly brief about this. On the question: “What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?’’ the answer is brief: ‘’First, He, as well as the Father and the Son, is eternal God. Second, He has been given to me personally, so that, by true faith, He makes me share in Christ and all His blessings, comforts me, and remains with me forever.’’

There is normally an accusation that the Reformed Churches do not make enough of the work of the Holy Spirit.  But our confession is in full accordance with the nature of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit testifies about Christ and His attributes. The Spirit works in silence, and He appropriates Christ’s redemption on the cross for us. He is compared in Scripture with the dew, a dove, the silence of the night, a wind and tongues of fire.

The Holy Spirit is not just a holy divine power, no He is truly God. He is the third person in the Holy Trinity. He investigates, helps and intercedes we read in Romans 8:27. In Belgic Confession article 11, we confess: “The Holy Spirit proceeds eternally from the Father and the Son -neither made, or created, nor begotten, but only proceeding from the two of them. In regard to order, He is the third person of the Trinity- of one and the same essence, and majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son. He is true, and eternal God as the Holy Scriptures teach us.’’

He can be grieved if we openly resist His call to repentance.  In Eph. 4:30 we read: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” 

And there can be sinned against Him. In Matthew 12:31 we read: “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”

We also confess that He is given to us personally so that by a true faith, He makes me share in Christ and all His blessings. He comforts me and remains with me forever.

Through the proclamation of the Word, He works the faith in Jesus as our only Saviour. He urges us to live according to God’s will and He works the daily repentance in our hearts.

He comforts us when the burden becomes too heavy and he keeps us standing in our faith. And He comforts, not with words, No, He us comforts with Christ.