For the large majority of Christians, the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost, from Old English gast, “spirit”) is the third divine person of the Holy Trinity: the Triune God manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; each person itself being God. [1][2][3] The New Testament includes over 90 references to the Holy Spirit. [4] The sacredness of the Holy Spirit is affirmed in all three Synoptic Gospels which proclaim blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as the unforgivable sin. [5] The Holy Spirit plays a key role in the Pauline epistles. [6] In the Johannine writings, three separate terms, Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, and Paraclete are used. [7] The New Testament details a close relationship between the Holy Spirit and Jesus during his earthly life and ministry. [8] The Gospels of Luke and Matthew and the Nicene Creed state that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. [9] The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus as a dove during his Baptism, and in his Farewell Discourse after the Last Supper Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples after his departure.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Oct 2013 03:48:19 +0000