THE HOLY SPIRIT IN VENERABLE BEDE’S

COMMENTARY OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

Table of Contents

Bibliography 3
I. Introduction. 4
II. Baptism and the Holy spirit. 5
- Holy Spirit and the Baptism of Water (Acts 1:5)
- On Jesus’ Baptism (10:38a)
- Imposition of Hands and Baptism (19:2)

III. Results of the Spirit’s Coming. 6

- Word of God Spreads to the Ends of the Earth (1:8)
- Gives Wisdom (1:12a)
- Brought to Perfection the Sacrifice of Christ (1:26)
- Gives Power to Burn and Speak (2:3a)
- Gives Gifts of Languages (2:4)
- It is Given to Everyone (2:17)
- Hearts were Pierced (2:37)
- Earth was Shaken (4:31)
- It Gives Consolation (4:36b)
- Deceitful Spirits Spoke the Truth (16:17)

IV. Requirements for Receiving the Spirit. 8

- Prayer and Fraternal Charity (1:4; 2:15)
- Transcend the Abode of Flesh (2:1)
- Laying of Hands of the Apostles (8:14)
- Simplicity (8:23)
- Faith (15:9)
 2

- A Share in the Unity of the Catholic and Apostolic Church (19:7)

V. On Trinity. 10
- Coming of the Spirit and the third Hour (2:15)
- Two Natures of Christ (2:33b)
- Linen cords were Letdown from Heaven Three Times (10:16a)
- Holy spirit as God (16:6-9)
- Holy Spirit as Lord and God (21 :11)
- The Will and the Nature of the Lord and the Spirit are One
(28:25-26)

VI. Holy Spirit and the Apostolic Ministry. 12

- Spirit Utters Words in the Heart (8:29)
- Holy spirit Works Through the Angels (8:39)
- Spirit Shows the Apostles What to Do (By Signs) (10:16a)
- Spirit Supports the Apostles by it’s Testimony ( 10:44)
- The Spirit Prompts the Apostles (15:28)
- Spirit Spoke to the Apostles through the Mouth of the Believers
(20:23a).

VII. Conclusion. 14
 3

Bibliography

THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, ed. L.T. Martin,
(Cistercian Studies Series117), Michigan 1989.

HAUSER, F., <<Pneumatomachians>>, in The New Catholic Encyclopaedia, New

York 1967, 11, 454-454.

DONAHUE, C.J., <<Bede ST>>, in The New Catholic Encyclopaedia, New York
1967, 2, 217.

BEDA VENERABILIS, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, eds. B.

Colgrave and R.A.B. Mynors, Oxford 1969.

BROWNE, G.F., The Venerable Bede, His Life and Writings, London 1930.

BEDE THE VENERABLE, Commentary on the Seven Catholic Epistle, ed D. Hurst,

(Cistercian Studies Series 82), Michigan, 1985.

I.Introduction.
 4

Bede the Venerable was a monk, priest, theologian and Doctor of the Church.
Most probably he was born in the English kingdom of Northumbria in the region
south of the river Tyne, in 672 or 673. He died in his monastery in the same region
probably in 735.1 Dante in his Paradiso placed Bede among the learned saints, men
through whom the Word of God was mediated in wisdom to the world.2 Bede spoke
little of himself in his writings and scholars like William of Malmesbury and Gerarld
Bonner see him as the least proud of men.3
Bede’s interest and knowledge extended to many fields, such as natural
science, mathematics, astronomy, grammar, history, theology, and above all exegesis
or the interpretation of the Scriptures. Of his works, over eighty present are
exegetical. From a short autobiographical passage found at the end of his
‘Ecclesiastical History’, we come to know about a short history of Bede. It says: “I
have spent all my life in this monastery, applying myself entirely to the study of the
Scriptures…. From the time I became a priest until (this) the fifty-ninth year of my
life, I have made it my business, for my own benefit and that of my brothers, to make
brief extracts from the works of the venerable fathers on the Holy Scripture, or to add
notes of my own to clarify their sense and interpretation.”4
- Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles
This Commentary is one of Bede’s earliest exegetical works, usually dated
between 707 and 716. It was one of his most popular and influential commentaries.
There is plenty of allegorical exegesis in this commentary. But the allegory is freely
interpreted with comments, which are very down the earth.
This work, named ‘The Holy Spirit in Venerable Bede’s Commentary of the
Acts of the Apostles’ is an attempt to see how S.Bede interpreted the Holy Spirit in
this commentary. To see what are the theological interpretations that he has given
while commenting on passages that speak about the Holy Spirit. For better
understanding I have arranged them thematically. Exclusive of the introduction and
the conclusion this work has got five parts. The first part deals with Baptism and the
Holy Spirit. Here we see the role of the Spirit in Baptism, that is, in the baptism of
Jesus, in the baptism of water and in the imposition of hands etc.. The second part

1
cf. DONAHUE, Bede ST, The New Catholic Encyclopaedia, 2, 217.
2
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts, ed. L.T. Martin, xv.
3
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts, ed. L.T. Martin, xvi.
4
BEDA VENERABILIS, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, eds. B. Colgrave and R.A.B.
Mynors, 567.
 5

shows the results of the Spirit’s coming. In the third part we see the requirements for
receiving the Holy Spirit. The fourth part deals with Trinity, that is, how Bede
interprets the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. The fifth part shows the role of the Spirit in
the apostolic ministry. In this work, I have used the English translation of the
Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles of Bede by L.T. Martin as a source book.

II. Baptism and the Holy Spirit.

- Holy Spirit and the Baptism of Water (Acts 1:5)

Explaining about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit of v.5, Bede speaks about the
Baptism of water. He says, “In Baptism with water, when the name of Christ is
invoked, the interior power of the Holy Spirit is present, which, with the human
administration of water, simultaneously purifies the souls and the bodies of those
being baptised. This did not happen in the baptism of John, for the Spirit had not yet
been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”5 So, after the glorification of Jesus
or after the Pentecost, the Spirit is present in the Baptism of Water, administered by
the church’s faithful. For Bede in the sacrament of Baptism, the interior power of the
Holy Spirit is present.
- On Jesus’ Baptism (10:38a)
To explain this verse ‘How God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with
the power’, Bede quotes Augustine (De Trini. 15,26), saying, “Jesus was not anointed
with oil, but with the gift of grace, which is signified by the visible oil with which the
Church anoints those who are baptised. Yet Christ was not anointed with the Holy
Spirit at the time when it descended as a dove upon him at his baptism, for at that time
he condescended to prefigure his body, that is, his Church, in which the baptised
principally receive the Holy Spirit. Rather he must be understood to have been
anointed with a mystical and invisible anointing when the word of God was made
flesh, that is, when human nature, without any preceding merits from good works,
was joined to God the Word in the womb of the virgin, so as to become one person
with him. Because of this we confess that he was born of the Holy Spirit and of the
Virgin Mary.”6 Here Bede makes it clear that, the Church principally receives the

5
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 1,5, ed. L.T. Martin, 10.
6
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 10,38a, ed. L.T. Martin, 154.
 6

Holy Spirit during the Baptism and Jesus Received the Spirit when the Word of God
was made flesh.
- Imposition of Hands and Baptism (19:2)
Commenting on the question of Paul to some of the disciples of Ephesus,
asking them ‘whether they have received the Holy Spirit when they became
believers’, Bede says about the imposition of hands and the Spirit. Bede says here that
the Spirit was ordinarily given by the imposition of hands, which was done after
Baptism. Bede here does not mention who were authorised to perform the imposition
of hands.

III. Results of the Spirit’s Coming.

- Word of God Spreads to the Ends of the Earth (1:8)
Commenting on Acts.1:8, Bede says: “when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
it certainly will not be to bring the kingdom of Israel of the kingdom of God to Israel,
as you think, but rather it will be to furnish you the power to bear witness concerning
me (Christ), to the farthest boarders of the world.”7 So for Bede, it is in the power of
the Spirit that the Word of God spreads to the ends of the earth. After Jesus’ ascension
it is the Spirit that leads the Apostles in the ministry of the Word of God.
- Gives Wisdom (1:12a)
Here according to Bede, the Lord ascended in to heaven to give us the Holy
Spirit and it gives us wisdom or it teaches us every thing. With the Holy Spirit’s
anointing the disciples were taught all things. Here Bede clearly tells that the Holy
Spirit is the source of wisdom.
- Brought to Perfection the Sacrifice of Christ (1:26)
In explaining V.26, Bede tells that the sacrifice of Christ was brought to
perfection by the Holy Spirit. “Christ’s sacrifice was immolated at the time of the
Passover, but truly brought to perfection by the Holy Spirit in the appearance of fire
on the day of Pentecost. For according to old customs, the victims acceptable to God
were brought to perfection by celestial fire.”8 So, for Bede, the Holy Spirit that
appeared in the form of fire on the day of Pentecost, was a sign that the sacrifice of
Christ is accepted by God.
- Gives Power to Burn and Speak (2:3a)
7
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 1,12a, ed. L.T. Martin, 12.
8
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 1,26, ed. L.T. Martin, 21.
 7

The Holy Spirit burns the heart of the believers with the Word of God to speak
them out. Here Bede explains this verse in this way that “the Holy Spirit appeared in
fire and in tongues because all those whom he fills he makes simultaneously to burn
and to speak, that is, to burn because of him, and to speak about him.”9 When one is
filled with the Holy Spirit, his heart burns for God and His Words so that he has no
other way than to speak it out. It was the same in the case of the prophets that the
Word of God was like a burning fire in the heart of Jeremiah. He was not able to stay
back from speaking it out (Jer.20:9).
- Gives Gifts of Languages (2:4)
For Bede, variety of languages in V.4 signifies gifts of variety of graces of the
Holy Spirit. According to Bede, “the Holy Spirit first give to human beings the gift of
languages by which human wisdom is both learned and taught extrinsically, so that he
might there by show how easily he can make men wise through the wisdom of God,
which is within them.”10 Varieties of languages are the graces or the gifts of the Holy
Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who gives wisdom to the human beings.
- It is Given to Everyone (2:17)
About the prophecy of Joel 3:1 in Acts 2:17, Bede says that “it shows the
lavishness of the gifts, for the grace of the Holy Spirit was not to be granted as
formerly, only to individual prophets and priests, but to everyone in everyplace,
regardless of sex, state of life, or position.”11 With the Pentecost the prophesy of Joel
was fulfilled and all are worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit.
- Hearts were Pierced (2:37)
When Peter delivered his speech after the coming of the Spirit, those who
heard him were cut to the heart. Now Bede says, that “after the fire of the Holy Spirit
there followed the vapour of compunction. For smoke tends to cause tears. Those who
had laughed in ridicule earlier began to weep.”12 The fire of the Holy Spirit burned the
hearts of the hearers. It caused them to repent of their sins and the tears are the signs
of their repentance.
- Earth was Shaken (4:31)
The earth itself was shaken at the coming of the Holy Spirit. Commenting on
this verse Bede says: “the coming of the Holy Spirit and the shaking of the earth is a
9
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 2,3a, ed. L.T. Martin, 27.
10
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 2,4, ed. L.T. Martin, 29.
11
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 2,17, ed. L.T. Martin, 32.
12
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 2,37, ed. L.T. Martin, 36.
 8

sign for the believers that their prayer had already been heard. They might also
recognise that earthly hearts would pass away from those under whose feet the earth
itself was shaken with dread at the coming of the Holy Spirit. ”13 It shows the power
of the coming of the Holy Spirit and it is a sign for the believers to increase their faith.
- It Gives Consolation (4:36b)
Bede says: “The Holy Spirit is given the name ‘paraclete’ because through the
inner pouring out of his favour he grants the ‘paraclesis’, that is, the consolation of
heavenly joys to those who have distress in the world. So Peter on account of the
grace of the same Spirit was called Bar-Jona, that is, son of the dove.”14 The Holy
Spirit is not only the giver of the gifts of languages but the Spirit also gives heavenly
joys to those who are distressed. The Spirit is the one who helps the believers in their
earthly life.
- Deceitful Spirits Spoke the Truth (16:17)
The slave girl who had a spirit of divination confessed that Paul and Silas are
servants of the most high God. Bede comments on this saying: “the confession is not
voluntary which is followed by a reward for confessing, but under the compulsion of
the Holy Spirit the deceitful spirit spoke the truth.”15 Here the Spirit continues Jesus’
earthly ministry. In the same way the evil spirits were afraid of Jesus, now they are
afraid of the Holy Spirit.

IV. Requirements for Receiving the Spirit.

- Prayer and Fraternal Charity (1:14; 2:15)
The disciples, who were waiting for the Holy Spirit, were persevering in
prayer with one mind (1:14). On this verse Bede comments that any one who longs to
receive the Spirit’s gifts should with perseverance apply himself to prayers founded in
fraternal charity.16 Commenting on the third hour of 2:15, Bede says that “as it is said
above, they were persevering in prayer and they quite rightly received the Holy Spirit
at the hour of prayer, so that it might be shown to readers that it is not easy to receive
the grace of the Holy Spirit unless the mind is raised from material things by
concentration on the things which are above.”17 Through his explanations on these

13
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 4,31, ed. L.T. Martin, 51.
14
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 4,36b, ed. L.T. Martin, 53.
15
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 16,17, ed. L.T. Martin, 136.
16
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 1,14, ed. L.T. Martin, 16.
17
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 1,14;2,15 Tr.L.T. Martin, p.16, 31.
 9

two verses, Bede makes it clear that prayer and fraternal charity are necessary for
receiving the Holy Spirit. For him, not just prayer alone but prayer founded on
fraternal charity. A true Benedictine community of prayer therefore, is a house of the
Holy Spirit.
- Transcend the Abode of Flesh (2:1)
When the days of Pentecost were drawing near, the Apostles were all together
in the same place. On this verse Bede comments, “whoever desires to be filled with
the Holy Spirit must transcend the abode of the flesh by contemplation of the mind.”18
Here actually Bede suggests a way to transcend the abode of the flesh, that is, by
contemplation of the mind. The powers of the flesh are a hindrance to the reception of
the Holy Spirit.
- Laying of Hands of the Apostles (8:14)
Commenting on V.14, Bede says: “Philip, who preached the Gospel to
Samaria was on of the seven, for if he had been the apostle (Philip), he would have
been able to lay hand on them himself so that they might receive the Holy Spirit.”19
Instead the apostles sent Peter and John. It shows two things that only by laying of
hands of the apostles the believers received the Holy Spirit. And laying of hands was
reserved to the apostles.
- Simplicity (8:23)
Commenting on the wickedness of a certain Simon of Samaria, Bede says:
“The Holy Spirit descended as a dove in order to teach those who wanted to receive
him to be simple. Now one who keeps the gall of bitterness in his heart, although he
may appear to be baptised, is not freed from the chains of his iniquity; but as if he was
cleansed at one moment, the time of his baptism, he is soon seven times more harried
by the fierce demon. In vain, there fore did this man try to buy the gift of the Spirit
since he did not take care to rid himself of his raven- like mind.” 20 Therefore those
who wanted to receive the Spirit must be pure and simple of heart. Here Bede stresses
on a point that reception of baptism itself is not enough but rather one must also keep
his heart pure to have the Holy Spirit abiding in him.
- Faith (15:8-9)

18
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 2,1,Tr. L.T. Martin, p.27.
19
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 8,14, Tr. L.T. Martin, p.80.
20
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 8,23, Tr. L.T. Martin, p.80
 10

On the question of the reception of the Holy Spirit by the gentiles

(uncircumcised), Bede says: “therefore there is no need of circumcision of the flesh to
cleanse those whose hearts were purified by so much faith that even before baptism
they deserved to receive the Holy Spirit.” 21 Here Bede makes it clear that faith is the
necessary condition to receive the Holy Spirit and faith purifies the hearts. A group of
gentiles received the Holy Spirit even before baptism, to show that such was the great
faith they had.
- A Share in the Unity of the Catholic and Apostolic Church (19:7)
Commenting on 19:7 Bede makes it clear that a share in the unity of the
Catholic and Apostolic Church is necessary to receive the Holy Spirit. He says: “I
believe that the former (manifestation occurred) in Jerusalem (Acts 1:15; 2:1-4), and
this one in Ephesus (19:7), which is a Greek city, to show that whether the one who
believes is from the Jews or the gentiles, he (the Spirit) fills only those who share in
the unity of the Catholic and Apostolic Church.”22 So, according to Bede the Holy
Spirit does not make any distinction of persons, rather what is important is he must be
a member of the Catholic Church.

V. On Trinity.
- Coming of the Spirit and the third Hour (2:15)
Commenting on V.15, where we see that the Spirit came upon them on the
third hour, Bede speaks about the indivisible trinity. He says, “In order to proclaim to
the world the glory of the indivisible Trinity, the Holy Spirit descended appropriately
at the third hour. And since it was said above, “they were persevering in prayer” they
quite rightly received the Holy Spirit at the hour of prayer, so that it might be shown
to readers that it is not easy to receive the graces of the Holy Spirit unless the mind is
raised from material things by concentration on the things which are above. The Lord
sent the Holy Spirit at the third hour, he ascended the cross at the sixth, and he yielded
up his soul at the ninth.”23 Here Bede shows the unity of the Trinity by speaking about
the third hour. By speaking about the third, sixth and the ninth hour, the Spirit, Son
and the Father are remembered consecutively. The mention of the third hour itself is
something that points to the Trinity.

21
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 15,9, ed. L.T. Martin, 130.
22
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 19,7, ed. L.T. Martin, 154.
23
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 2,15, ed. L.T. Martin, 31.
 11

- Linen cords were Letdown from Heaven Three Times (10:16a)

Here Bede gives special attention to the letting down of the linen clothes three
times. He says, “For the mystery of the Holy Trinity was to be preached throughout
the four regions of he world by the twelve apostles. It is for this reason that four linen
cords were let down from heaven three times.”24 Bede sees the mystery of the Trinity
in the letting down of the linen cloth three times. Here it was a sign also for the
Apostles that their preaching must contain the mystery of the Trinity, and it must
extend to the four corners of the world.
- Spirit as God (16:6-9)
Commenting on the words, ‘they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak
the word in Asia…’ Bede names the Holy Spirit as God himself. He says, “And God,
who knows hearts, on account of his kindness, withdrew (his) teacher from Asia.”25
Here by calling the Spirit, God, Bede pronounces the unity of the three persons in one
God.
- Holy Spirit as Lord and God (21: 11)
In V.11 it is said, “The Holy Spirit says this: at Jerusalem the Jews will bind in
this way the man whose belt is this.” About this verse Bede comments: “He (Agabus)
is imitating the ancient prophets who were accustomed to say, The Lord God says
this, ( Is.49:22; Jer.11:3), because the Holy Spirit is the Lord and God in the same
way as the Father and the Son are, and it is impossible to separate the operation those
whose nature and will are one. Hence too we read above: The Holy Spirit said, ‘set
apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work for which I have called them(Acts 13:2),
namely the office of apostle. And Paul himself writes (Gal.1:1), Paul an apostle sent
not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father. We have said
these things so that no one might believe, following Macedonius26 that the Holy Spirit
is a creature, or of less authority than the father or the Son.”27 Instead of the prophetic
formula ‘the Lord God says this’ in Acts we see the formula the Holy Spirit says this’.
According to Bede it is a clear indication that the Holy Spirit has an equal share in
the Trinity as the Father and the Son has, and the Spirit is Lord and God. The

24
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 10,16a, ed. L.T. Martin, 99.
25
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 16,6-9, ed. L.T. Martin, 136.
26
Macedonius, a fourth century Arian Bishop of Constantinople, was asserted by Didymus the Blind
(c.380) to the founder of a heretical sect, the ‘pneumatomachians’, who denied the divinity of
the Holy Spirit. They were customarily designated as Macedonians in the writing of the
fathers.
27
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 21,11, ed. L.T. Martin, 165.
 12

examples that Bede quotes prompt us to think this way, that after Jesus’ ascension the
Holy Spirit continues the work that Jesus was doing.
- The Will and the Nature of the Lord and the Spirit are One (28:25-
26)
Commenting on the prophesy of Isaiah 6:8-9, that we see in Acts 28:25-26,
Bede says: “The prophesy, which the apostle affirms was uttered by the Holy Spirit, is
recorded in the book of the prophet as having been said by the Lord(Is. 6:8). From this
it is plainly shown that the will and the nature of the Lord and the Holy Spirit are one,
and in the naming of the Spirit, the name of the Lord is also understood. Nor indeed
Paul posses a different Holy Spirit, when he wrote these things about him, from the
one which was in the prophets before the advent of the Lord…. Peter also in the
sermon in which he persuaded those who were present, said, ‘The Scripture must be
fulfilled which the Holy Spirit ( that is, to' pneu¤ma to¤ a¨gion ) declared
before by the mouth of David concerning Judas (Acts 1:16).” 28 Here Bede asserts that
the nature of the Holy Spirit and the Lord are one. What was recorded as the Lord’s
words in the Old Testament is recorded as the words of the Holy Spirit in the New
Testament. Fore Bede the Spirit that worked in the prophets and in the apostles is the
same. There fore the Holy Spirit is present from the beginnings as the Father and the
Son are.
VI. Holy Spirit and the Apostolic Ministry.
- Spirit Utters Words in the Heart (8:29)
Here Bede says that “The Spirit spoke to Philip in his heart. God's Spirit utters
certain words to us by a hidden power, and tells us what must be done.”29 It shows
how the Spirit worked in the apostles. Here Bede also tells us how the Holy Spirit
works in us today, that is, through a hidden power, in a soft voice heard in the heart of
the heart. Commenting on Acts 10:19 ( ‘The Spirit said to him’), Bede concludes that
it was in his mind that Peter heard this from the Spirit, not by way of his physical
ear.30 For Bede, the Spirit speaks through our hearts and our minds.
- Holy spirit Works Through the Angels (8:39)
Commenting on the words ‘The Spirit of the Lord took Philip away’, Bede
quotes Jerome, saying: “There are those who testify that an angel did this in the Holy

28
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 28,25-26, ed. L.T. Martin, 195.
29
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 8,29, ed. L.T. Martin, 83.
30
cf. THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 10,19, ed. L.T. Martin, 99.
 13

Spirit.”31 Here Bede holds the opinion of Jerome that the Holy Spirit works through
the angels. As the angels served the Father and the Son, now they serve the Spirit
also. Here too we see the active role of the Spirit in the apostolic ministry.
-Spirit Shows the Apostles What to Do (By Signs) (10:16a)
About the letting down of the linen cords from heaven three times, Bede
comments this way, that ‘During this vision of Peter, Cornelius( who was from among
the living things shown in the evangelical vessel), appealed to him to show him that
he should not hesitate to entrust the Christian faith to the uncircumcised. Hence it was
confirmed by the Holy Spirit that he should act in the same way.’ 32 Here in this
passage the Spirit compels the apostles to do some thing and confirms the decision
through visions or signs. For Bede, this vision of the linen cords lowered from
heaven, also indicates that the Church will be preserved as well as increased only by
the grace of the Holy Spirit.33 In the apostolic ministry, the Spirit guides the apostles
in every way and it was the Spirit’s power that gives growth to the Church.
- Spirit Supports the Apostles by it’s Testimony ( 10:44)
“The Holy Spirit fell upon everyone who was listening to his message.”
Commenting on these words, Bede says: “lest there might be any hesitation about
conferring baptism upon the gentiles, support was supplied by the testimony of the
Holy Spirit, who in an unexpected sequence of events acted in advance of the waters
of the baptismal bath, which are ordinarily the means of sanctification.” 34 Here, even
before the baptism, the gentiles received the Spirit. It was a testimony of the Holy
Spirit for the apostles. Here in a way, the Holy Spirit compels the apostles to give
baptism to the gentiles. For Bede, the mission in the Acts of the Apostles is a mission
of the Holy Spirit.
- The Spirit prompts the Apostles (15:28)
V.28 says, “For it has seemed right to the Holy Spirit and to us.” Here Bede
gives a brief idea on the Holy Spirit. He comments: “That is, it has pleased the Holy
Spirit, who appearing as the arbiter of his own powers, ‘breathes where he wills’
( Jn.3:8), and speaks the things which he wishes. And it has pleased us, not in
accordance with our own will alone, but by virtue of the prompting of the same

31
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 8,39, ed. L.T. Martin, 85., Jer., Comm. in Es.
17,63, 11|14 ( CC 73A:729,45).
32
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 10,16a, ed. L.T. Martin, 99.
33
cf. THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 10,11b, ed. L.T. Martin, 97.
34
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 10,44,ed. L.T. Martin, 103.
 14

Spirit.”35 Here again Bede concludes that the Spirit is God himself, that he is the
arbiter of his own powers. So God Himself directed the apostles in their apostolic
mission.
- Spirit Spoke to the Apostles through the Mouth of the Believers
(20:23a)
“Except that in all the cities the Holy Spirit assures me”. On this sentence
Bede says: “When he says in the cities, he clearly shows that the things that were
going to happen to him had not been revealed to him directly, but through others
concerning him Among them were the prophet Agabus (Act 21:11), and also those
disciples who, when he was staying in Tyre, admonished him ‘through the Spirit’ not
to go up to Jerusalem(Act 21.4).”36 In the ministry of the apostles, the Spirit spoke to
them through other human beings. Therefore for Bede, the Spirit is at work in all the
members of the Church.
VII. Conclusion.
Bede’s commentary on the Acts is rich in comments that deals with deeper
and spiritual meaning of the scriptural texts. His reflections on the Holy Spirit are rich
in meaning and shows his theology of the Holy Spirit. It also reflects the faith of the
community on the Holy Spirit and in some instances also the heresies against the Holy
Spirit.
Speaking about the Holy Spirit and Baptism, he says that in the baptism of
water the Holy Spirit is present and it purifies the souls and bodies of those baptised.
After the glorification of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is present in the Baptism of
Water(1:5). Speaking about the baptism of Jesus, Bede says that Jesus did not receive
the Spirit at the time of his baptism, instead at that time he was prefiguring his body
that is, the church, in which the faithful receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus was filled with
the Holy Spirit at the time of his conception itself(10:38a). Bede also mentions about
the old custom, in which the Holy Spirit was given by the imposition of hands, which
was done after baptism.
In his commentary Bede shows the gifts of the Spirit or the results of the
Spirit’s coming. It is in the power of the Spirit that the Word of God spread to the
ends of the earth (1:8). The Holy Spirit is the source of wisdom (1:12a). Another

35
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 15,28, ed. L.T. Martin, 131.
36
THE VENERABLE BEDE, Commentary on the Acts 20,11b, ed. L.T. Martin, 97.
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important teaching of Bede is that when the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of the
fire on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit brought to perfection the sacrifice of Christ
(1.26). According to Bede one who has received the Holy Spirit burns for God and
His words(2.3a). The fire of the Holy Spirit also burns the hearts of the hearers of the
Word of God, that they repented of their sins with tears(2:37). For Bede, it is the
Spirit, the ‘Paraclete’, who gives consolation to those who are in distress (4:36b).Bede
also says that the Holy Spirit is powerful over all the other deceitful spirits(16:17).
Another idea that Bede deals with in his commentary is the requirements for
receiving the Holy Spirit. Prayer based on fraternal charity is a necessary condition
for receiving the Holy Spirit(1:14; 2:15). To receive the Holy Spirit we must
transcend the abode of the flesh(2:1), must be pure and simple of heart(8:23), and
above all must be a man of strong faith(15:9).
In his commentary Bede tries to give a clear teaching on the Trinity.
According to Bede, when the Holy Spirit descended at the third hour(2:15), the glory
of the indivisible trinity was declared to the world. Bede also says that the Holy Spirit
is Lord and God, in the same way as the Father and Son are, and their nature and will
are one(21:11).The Holy Spirit, that worked in the prophets and in the apostles are the
one and the same Spirit, that is, the third person of the Holy Trinity(28:25-26).
The way in which the Holy Spirit helped the apostolic ministry is explained by
Bede in his commentary. The Spirit guides the apostles by speaking with them in their
hearts(8:29). The Spirit worked in them through the angels(8:9). Spirit directs them
through visions(10:16a). Spirit also helped the apostles by giving testimony to their
words and some times also compelled them to give baptism to the gentiles(10:44).
Spirit prompts the apostles(15:28), and in certain occasions spoke to them through the
believer(20:23a).
The same Spirit, that we see as acting in the Acts of the apostles is at work in
us too. The only thing is that we must recognise the Spirit that is within us, that we
may burn for God and His Word.