Q. 428. {98} How did the Holy Ghost come down upon the Apostles?  A. The Holy Ghost came down upon the Apostles in the form of tongues of fire.

Q. 429.  What did the form of tongues of fire denote?  A. The form of tongues of fire denoted the sacred character and divine authority of the preaching and teaching of the Apostles, by whose words and fervor all men were to be converted to the love of God.

Q. 430. {99} Who sent the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles? 
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles.

Q. 431.  Did the Apostles know that the Holy Ghost would come down upon them?  A. The Apostles knew that the Holy Ghost would come down upon them; for Christ promised His Apostles that after His Ascension He would send the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, to teach them all truths and to abide with them forever.

Q. 432.  Has any one ever denied the existence of the Holy Ghost?  A. Some persons have denied the existence of the Holy Ghost; others have denied that He is a real person equal to the Father and the Son; but all these assertions are shown to be false by the words of Holy Scripture and the infallible teaching of the Church.

Q. 433.  What are the sins against the Holy Ghost which Our Lord said will not be forgiven either in this world or in the next?  A. The sins against the Holy Ghost which Our Lord said will not be forgiven either in this world or in the next, are sins committed out of pure malice, and greatly opposed to the mercy of God, and are, therefore, seldom forgiven.

Q. 434. {100} Why did Christ send the Holy Ghost?  A. Christ sent the Holy Ghost to sanctify His Church, to enlighten and strengthen the Apostles, and to enable them to preach the Gospel.

Q. 435.  How was the Church sanctified through the coming of the Holy Ghost?  A. The Church was sanctified through the coming of the Holy Ghost by receiving those graces which Christ had merited for His ministers, the bishops and priests, and for the souls of all those committed to their care.

Q. 436.  How were the Apostles enlightened through the coming of the Holy Ghost?  A. The Apostles were enlightened through the coming of the Holy Ghost by receiving the grace to remember and understand in its true meaning all that Christ had said and done in their presence.

Q. 437.  How were the Apostles strengthened through the coming of the Holy Ghost?  A. The Apostles were strengthened through the coming of the Holy Ghost by receiving the grace to brave every danger, even death itself, in the performance of their sacred duties.

Q. 438.  What does “Apostle,” and what does “Gospel” mean?  A.  “Apostle” means a person sent, and “Gospel” means good tidings or news.  Hence the name “Gospel” is given to the inspired history of Our Lord’s life and works upon earth.

Q. 439.  Name the Apostles.  A. The Apostles were:  Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot, in whose place Mathias was chosen.