BIBLE QUIZ

During the reception in celebrating the Holy Spirit Choir’s Fourth Birthday, May 15, 2016, participants enthusiastically got involved in a catechism competition.  Here below are 3 questions and answers. 

Question 1: What are the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit?

-          Answer:  1/wisdom; 2/understanding; 3/right judgment; 4/courage; 5/knowledge; 6/reverence; 7/fear of God.

* Read Is 11:2-3:

“The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.”

Question 2: How many are the symbols of the Holy Spirit and their meanings?

-          Answer: The Bible uses a number of symbols to describe the person and work of the Holy Spirit. These symbols show the nature, character and work of the Holy Spirit. They include:

1. Water

The Holy Spirit is symbolized by water. This speaks of refreshing, cleansing and washing the believer of his sins. Jesus said:

If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:37-39).

2. Wind Or Breath

The wind symbolizes the invisible yet powerful work of the Holy Spirit.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2).

3. Fire

Fire speaks of the holiness of God and the judging of sin in the life of the believer.
When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning (Isaiah 4:4).

4. Oil

Oil was involved in the anointing of the prophets, priests and kings for ministry to their offices. Oil symbolizes the soothing and healing presence of the Holy Spirit.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38).

5. Dove

The dove represents the gentleness and peace which the Holy Spirit provides the believer.

And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22).

6. Still Small Voice

The Spirit is the voice of God that speaks to our innermost being.

Then He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain of the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:11-13).

7. Firstfruits

The firstfruits were a symbol of the coming harvest. The initial work of the Holy Spirit symbolizes the final salvation and glorification of each believer.

And not only they, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body (Romans 8:23).

8. Earnest

The earnest was the down payment, a pledge of more to come. The Spirit pledges that our salvation will be completed when we are glorified with Christ.

Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchase possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:14)

9. Enduement

Enduement speaks of the divine clothing of the believer with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to His disciples:

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).

10. Number Seven

Seven speaks of completion. When used of the Holy Spirit it symbolizes the Spirits fullness and perfection.

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne (Revelation 1:4).

These different symbols that the Bible uses to describe the person and work of the Holy Spirit will begin to give us an idea of how He works in our life. 

Question 3:  What did the Holy Spirit do to serve the salvation mission by Jesus Christ our Lord? Provide biblical quotations in support of your answers.

Answer:

1/ Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the son of God” (Lk 1:35)

2/Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to fight temptations: 

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil”   ( Mt 4:1)

3/ Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior was raised to life by the Holy Spirit

“For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous that he might lead you to God.  Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit” (1 Pr 3:18.)

“If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you” (Rom 8:11.)