The Gospel of St. Luke shares many features with Matthew and Mark. However, in both Luke and the second book, Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit takes a very prominent role in the narrative. Luke describes the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as a main focal point of the activity in his books. The Holy Spirit works to fulfill Messianic prophecies so the Kingdom of God can be established.
Although the Gospels are primarily about the saving mission of Christ, in Luke the action of both Jesus and the Holy Spirit work together. The Spirit begins his work before the Incarnation with Gabriel informing Zechariah that his son John will be “filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). Later, Gabriel announces the conception of Jesus brought about by the action of the Holy Spirit apart from relation with man (Fuentes). The Spirit inspires Mary’s cousin Elizabeth to recognize her preeminence among women. Christ’s mission of redemption is begun in the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit shows the way to God through Jesus. Simeon immediately recognized the Redeemer of the world through the Spirit. In the Baptism of Christ, the Spirit reveals the Blessed Trinity and opens to mankind the path of sanctification. Jesus and the Holy Spirit act together to open the way to salvation to all people. “Jesus’ public life is a continuous progress toward Jerusalem” (Fuentes). The prophecy of salvation is fulfilled in Christ, but the Spirit leads toward Him, revealing the truth of his mission and preparing the hearts of men so they can accept the salvation that they so sorely need.
Although the Holy Spirit is quite prominent in the Gospel of Luke, He plays a critical role in the life of the Church. Luke’s second book is known as the Acts of the Apostles, but it seems to really describe the role of the Spirit in the early Church. In the first Chapter, Jesus tells the Apostles they will receive the Holy Spirit so they can be His witness to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). This promise is realized on the Feast of Pentecost when “the Holy Ghost descends on the Apostles, and confers on them the gift of tongues” (Breen). Peter then explains to those gathered how the Spirit inspires the prophecies that are fulfilled in the person of Jesus, convincing many to be baptized into the Church.
The Spirit inspires the Apostles to spread the Gospel. Philip preaches to the eunuch of Candace and the city of Azotus, while telling Peter to go to Cornelius (Breen). The Spirit convinces Cornelius and his entire family of the truth of Peter’s words and they all receive baptism (Acts 11:44-48). The Holy Spirit acts to give the Apostles the knowledge and power necessary to spread the good news to those that they encounter. Further, that same Spirit prepares those listening so they might accept the message they have received.
This does not only apply to those eager to hear, but to the very enemies of the early Church as well. Saul of Tarsus persecuted the Church, but was struck with a vision that left him blind. Ananias is sent to baptize Saul, so he may be filled with the Holy Spirit and have his sight restored (Breen). This begins the missionary work of St. Paul who was instrumental in the conversion of the nations. They are sent off by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the word of God, first in the synagogues, and then finally to the gentiles (Acts 13). The Spirit “directly commands that Paul and Barnabas be set apart for the Gentile ministry” (Breen).
Throughout Luke and Acts we see the action of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the promises of God. In the Gospel of Luke, we see the works of the Spirit and Jesus acting in accord to bring about the salvation of the Holy Trinity. The Acts of the Apostles “shows the real nature of the Christian religion; its members are baptized in the Holy Ghost, and are upheld by His power” (Breen). The Spirit prompted the Church to spread into the great centers of the ancient world and then out to the surrounding lands. The Holy Spirit guides the Church to profess the fulfillment of God’s Messianic prophecies in the second person of the Blessed Trinity.
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