September Questions

QUESTION 36: What do we believe about the Holy Spirit ?

Answer: That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants him irrevocably to all who believe._a

Scripture: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16–17)

• a.) John 14:16-17. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 15:26. But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 1 Corinthians 3:16. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Ephesians 1:13. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. See also Matthew 28:19, Acts 5:3-4, Acts 9:31, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Galatians 3:14, Galatians 4:6, and 1 Peter 1:2.

QUESTION 37: How does the Holy Spirit help us?_a

Answer: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin,_b comforts us,_c guides us,_d gives us spiritual gifts_e and the desire to obey God;_f and he enables us to pray_g and to understand God’s Word._h

Scripture: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:17-18)

• a.) See also The Baptist Catechism QUESTION 34.
• b.) John 16:7-8. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.
• c.) Acts 9:31. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
• d.) John 16:13. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
• e.) 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
• f.) Galatians 5:16-17. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
• g.) Romans 8:26-27. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
• h.) John 14:26. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

QUESTION 38: What is prayer?_a

Answer: Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving._b

Scripture: Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8)

• a.) See also The Baptist Catechism  QUESTION 109.
• b.) Psalm 10:17. O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear. Psalm 32:5-6. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. Psalm 62:8. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Philippians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. See also Psalm 145:19, Matthew 7:7-8, John 14:13-14, John 16:23,Romans 8:26, and 1 John 5:14.

QUESTION 39: With what attitude should we pray ?

Answer: With love,_a perseverance,_b and gratefulness;_c in humble submission to God’s will,_d knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers._e

Scripture: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

• a.) Psalm 116:1-2. I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. Romans 15:30. I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf.
• b.) Ephesians 6:18. Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
• c.) Philipians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
• d.) Matthew 6:9a, 10. Pray then like this…Your kingdomcome, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 26:39. And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
• e.) Proverbs 15:29. The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. John 9:31. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 1 John 5:14. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 Peter 3:12. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”