Today we will look at the third part of the Nicene Creed to discover more about why we know that the Catholic Church is right in all her teachings.

WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE LORD, THE GIVER OF LIFE

Jesus told the Apostles that the Holy Spirit, who is God, the third person of the Blessed Trinity, would be sent to them after Jesus returned to God the Father (the first person of the Blessed Trinity). Jesus said that, “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still it with you. But the Counselor, 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… I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth” (John 14:25-26, 16:12-13).

So, the Holy Spirit continued to reveal divine truths to the Apostles after Jesus Ascended to Heaven (this gift was not passed on to future bishops, but ended with the death of the last Apostle, St. John; thus there is no new divine revelation).

However, Jesus was not going to leave us guessing how to interpret His words. He was not going to leave it up to fallible men to preserve His teachings. The Holy Spirit protects the Church from teaching error on faith and morals. This protection from from teaching error was passed down from the Apostles to the pope and bishops of the church in union with the pope for almost 2000 years.