Complete 6 pages APA formatted article: The Relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Foundation of Christianity. These two meant as they do today, full initiation into the church (Hastings, 261). Therefore, the Holy Spirit was very important in not only the foundation but also in the development of the church within the first six centuries. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus Christ “commissioned” all his disciples to be witnesses to his Word to all corners of the world (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit then came down on the day of Pentecost and fell upon the disciples and Apostles who were in the Upper Room (Acts 2:1-4). This gave the Apostles the required strength to courageously spread the word of Christ. This strength made them work even in some very dangerous environments (Historical Foundation of Christianity, 1).

This courage could be seen in how they responded to the various persecutions that were being carried on against those who subscribed to Christianity. For instance, when Peter and John were arrested for healing a sick person and they were taken before the high priest and asked, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” We learn that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and courageously told them that Jesus whom they had crucified had given them (John and himself) the powers to heal the sick. He also reminded them that no name on earth was greater than Jesus. He did not care what danger he was putting himself in by having such a stand (Acts 4:7-8). And when they were released, they were ordered not to tell anyone about what they had discussed, but the two declared that nothing would stop them from preaching about Christ and what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20). It is such a stand that eventually led to the persecution of most of the Christians of this time. There was a strong conviction among the Christians, most of whom eventually became martyrs. For instance, Vettius Epagathus was seen as “fervent in spirit” when he bravely faced his persecution for being a Christian (Morgan-Wynne, 195).

The day of Pentecost had marked the fulfillment of Prophet Joel’s prophecy. As such, the coming of the Holy Spirit only strengthened the Christian’s faith in life after death.