The phrase “who has spoken through the prophets” from the Nicene Creed highlights the active role of the Holy Spirit in God’s revelation throughout history, particularly through the prophets of the Old Testament. It emphasizes the continuity between the Old and New Testaments and the Spirit’s inspiration in communicating God’s word.
Theological Background:
- Divine Inspiration: This phrase affirms that the Holy Spirit guided and inspired the prophets of the Old Testament, enabling them to speak God’s word with authority and truth. The Spirit’s inspiration ensured the accuracy and trustworthiness of their messages.
- Continuity of Revelation: It emphasizes the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, showing that God’s plan of salvation unfolds throughout history. The Spirit who spoke through the prophets is the same Spirit who inspired the apostles and continues to guide the Church today.
- Preparation for Christ: The prophets’ messages, inspired by the Holy Spirit, prepared the way for the coming of Christ. They foretold his birth, ministry, death, and resurrection, creating anticipation and laying the foundation for the New Covenant.
- Living Word: The Spirit’s role in inspiring the prophets highlights that God’s word is not static or confined to the past, but a living and active force that continues to speak to us today.
Scriptural References:
- 2 Peter 1:21: “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” This verse emphasizes the divine inspiration of the prophets.
- Hebrews 1:1-2: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” This passage highlights the continuity of God’s revelation through the prophets and culminating in Christ.
- Luke 24:44: Jesus says to his disciples, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” This verse connects Jesus’ life and ministry to the prophecies of the Old Testament.
Church Councils:
- Council of Nicaea (325 AD): This council laid the foundation for the doctrine of the Trinity, implicitly recognizing the Holy Spirit’s role in inspiration.
- Council of Constantinople (381 AD): This council expanded the Nicene Creed, explicitly affirming the Holy Spirit’s role in speaking through the prophets.
Summary:
The line “who has spoken through the prophets” emphasizes the Holy Spirit’s active role in inspiring the prophets of the Old Testament and communicating God’s word. It highlights the continuity of God’s revelation throughout history, culminating in Christ. This teaching is grounded in Scripture and has been affirmed by the Church, inviting us to listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking through the prophets and to recognize the ongoing presence of the Spirit in our lives today.
Reflection
“Who has spoken through the prophets.” This simple phrase, tucked within the Nicene Creed, unveils a profound truth about the Holy Spirit’s active role in God’s unfolding story. It invites us to journey through the pages of Scripture, not as mere observers, but as participants in a living dialogue with the Trinitarian God.
Imagine the prophets of old, their hearts ablaze with divine inspiration, their voices echoing God’s message of hope, justice, and love. The Holy Spirit, the breath of God, moved through them, shaping their words and guiding their actions. They were vessels, instruments, through whom the Father revealed his heart and prepared the way for the coming of the Son.
This same Spirit, who spoke through Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah, continues to speak to us today. The Spirit breathes life into the words of Scripture, illuminating our minds and transforming our hearts. The Spirit guides us into all truth, helping us to discern God’s will and to live in accordance with his Word.
As we reflect on the Spirit’s role in inspiring the prophets, we are drawn into a deeper intimacy with the Trinity. We see the Father’s loving plan of salvation unfolding throughout history, the Son’s incarnation as the fulfillment of that plan, and the Spirit’s ongoing work of guiding and sanctifying the Church.
This awareness transforms our approach to Scripture. We no longer read the Bible as a collection of ancient texts, but as a living word, a dynamic conversation between God and humanity. We listen for the Spirit’s voice speaking through the prophets, challenging us, comforting us, and inviting us to participate in God’s redemptive work.
Every encounter with Scripture becomes an opportunity to encounter the Trinity. In the law, we see the Father’s desire for justice and righteousness. In the prophets, we hear the Son’s voice calling us to repentance and renewal. In the wisdom literature, we experience the Spirit’s gentle guidance and wisdom.
As we grow in intimacy with our Trinitarian God, we become more attuned to the Spirit’s voice speaking through the Scriptures. We learn to discern the Spirit’s promptings, to apply God’s Word to our lives, and to live in the fullness of the Spirit’s power. This is the invitation of the Nicene Creed: to embrace the Holy Spirit, who has spoken through the prophets, and to allow the Spirit to guide us into a deeper understanding of God’s Word and a closer relationship with the Trinity.
Discussion Questions For Prayer and Reflection
- Intimacy with the Trinity: How does reflecting on the Spirit’s role in inspiring the prophets draw you into a more intimate relationship with the Trinity? What practical steps can you take to deepen this relationship?
2. Personal Connection: The reflection describes the prophets as “vessels” and “instruments” of the Holy Spirit. When you read the words of the prophets, do you sense the Spirit’s presence? How does this awareness affect your reading of Scripture?
3. Modern-Day Prophets: If the Spirit spoke through prophets in the past, does the Spirit still speak through people today? Who might those people be, and how can we recognize the Spirit’s voice in them?
4. Living Word: How does the idea of Scripture as a “living word” challenge your understanding of the Bible? How can we actively engage with Scripture to hear the Spirit speaking to us today?
5. Trinitarian Dialogue: The reflection mentions encountering the Trinity in different parts of Scripture. Choose a passage from the Old Testament and describe how you see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit present in it.
6. Justice and Righteousness: How do the prophets’ messages about justice and righteousness inform our understanding of God’s character? How can we apply these teachings to our own lives and in our world today?
7. Repentance and Renewal: The prophets often called people to repentance. What does genuine repentance look like in the context of our relationship with the Trinity? How does the Spirit empower us to turn away from sin and embrace renewal?
8. Guidance and Wisdom: What are some ways the Spirit offers guidance and wisdom through the Scriptures? How can we cultivate a greater sensitivity to the Spirit’s promptings in our daily lives?
9. Obstacles to Hearing: What are some obstacles that might prevent us from hearing the Spirit’s voice through the prophets and Scripture? How can we overcome these obstacles and open ourselves to the Spirit’s guidance?
10. The Spirit’s Power: The reflection mentions living in the “fullness of the Spirit’s power.” What does this mean to you? How can we experience the Spirit’s power in our lives?
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post