The Promise of the Holy Spirit Acts. 1:6: 11 and John 14:15 – 26 – JSS3 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), whom Jesus promised to send to His disciples before He ascended into heaven.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Say who the Holy Spirit is.
2. Describe the ascension of Jesus Christ.
3. State the functions of the Holy Spirit.
4. Explain the significance of the Holy Spirit.
5. List the nine fruits of the Spirit.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third personality of the Trinity, equal with God the Father and God the Son.

• Promised by Jesus: Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit according to the will of His Father (John 14:16, 26).
• Another Comforter: Jesus called Him “another Comforter” who would stay with the disciples for ever (John 14:16).
• Spirit of truth: He leads believers into truth. The world cannot receive Him because it does not know Him (John 14:17).
• Not left alone: Jesus told the disciples He would not leave them as orphans (John 14:18).
• Linked to love: Jesus said that those who love Him will keep His commandments (John 14:15).
• Teacher: The Father would send Him in Jesus’ name to teach all things and remind them of what Jesus said (John 14:26).

What did Jesus tell the disciples before He ascended?

Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, who would give them power to be His witnesses.

• Wait in Jerusalem: He ordered them not to leave Jerusalem until the Spirit came (Acts 1:4).
• Power: They would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8).
• Witness: They would witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).
• Great Commission: Jesus also sent them to preach the gospel to all nations, baptising in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

What happened at the ascension of Jesus Christ?

The ascension is the event in which Jesus was taken up into heaven forty days after His resurrection, in the sight of His disciples.

1. The disciples asked Jesus if He would at that time restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6).
2. Jesus replied that the times and seasons belong to the Father (Acts 1:7).
3. He promised them the power of the Holy Spirit and told them to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).
4. He was taken up while they watched, and a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9).
5. The disciples stood gazing up into heaven (Acts 1:10).
6. Two men in white clothing told them that Jesus would return in the same way they saw Him go (Acts 1:10-11).
7. The disciples then returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12).

What are the functions of the Holy Spirit?

There are five functions of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer: teaching, guidance, counselling, comforting and advocating.

What is the significance of the Holy Spirit?

The significance of the Holy Spirit is the importance of His presence and work in the life of a believer.

• Awareness of need: His presence shows that man cannot go far with God without the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Provision: He is the source of all provision for any man who wants to walk with God.
• Inspiration: He inspires man and guides him into all truth.
• Evangelism: He helps believers to spread the message of God.
• Spiritual hunger: He moves man to thirst and hunger after God.
• Deliverance: He delivers man in this wicked world.

What is the fruit of the Spirit?

The fruit of the Spirit is the set of good qualities the Holy Spirit produces in the life of a believer (Galatians 5:22-23).

• Why it matters: It shows the nature of the Holy Spirit, so believers must show these qualities because He lives in them.

What are the nine fruits of the Spirit?

The nine fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.

1. Love: caring for others without selfish gain.
2. Joy: deep gladness that does not depend on circumstances.
3. Peace: calmness and harmony with God and people.
4. Long-suffering: patience with people and with hard situations.
5. Gentleness: kindness in speech and action.
6. Goodness: doing what is right and helpful to others.
7. Faith: trust in God and faithfulness in duty.
8. Meekness: humility and a controlled spirit.
9. Temperance: self-control over desires and actions.

Evaluation

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?
2. State three functions of the Holy Spirit.
3. Describe the ascension of Jesus Christ from Mount Olive.
4. Give five points on the importance of the Holy Spirit.
5. Mention six fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Assignment

Explain the essence of the Great Commission and state how the Holy Spirit helps believers to carry it out.

Further reading

1. Christian Religious Knowledge for JSS BK 3, by T.N.O Quarcoo-compe et al. Chapter 1, pages 19-23.
2. Christian Religious Knowledge for JSS BK 3, by Adeyinka et al. Chapter 1, pages 1-3.