What Is The Holy Ghost?
What Is The Holy Ghost?
What Is The Holy Ghost? The “Holy Spirit”, the “Spirit of God” and the “Holy Ghost” are all one and the same. Regardless which expression is used, they have the same meaning.
To begin with, the Greek word for Spirit is the same as it is for Ghost, especially if it is described as Holy.
DEFINITION: Spirit and Ghost: (G4151)
Greek; πνεῦμα Transliteration: (pneuma) <G4151> (Ref. Strong’s concordance) from <G4154> (pneo); a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figurative a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy Spirit :- ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. Compare <G5590> (psuche).
—Strong’s Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
This Ghost (or Spirit) is Holy (of God). The Bible often reflects this type of phenomenon as a movement of the “Holy Ghost”, “Spirit of God” or “God” acting upon or within a believer. (See also. Verses Where “He” & “Him” Should Be Referred To As “It”)
(Acts 2:17) “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:”
(2 Peter 1:20-21) “… no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”
(Acts 1:16) “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.”
(1 Corinthians 3:16) “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
(1 Thessalonians 4:8) “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”
(Psalm 51:10-11) “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”
(1 Corinthians 12:3-6) “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”
(Acts 5:3-4) “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
We know that God is a Spirit (John 4:24) and the Holy Ghost is a Spirit (John 7:39). Paul, in reference to God, told us that there was only One Spirit (Ephesians 4:4) not three. This understanding can be seen in various translations.(1 Corinthians 12:3-6; Acts 5:3-4); and
(John 7:39 (CEV)) “Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory.” (John 7:39)
A Source Of Spiritual Power
All spirits possess power or abilities or varying types of power or abilities. The very reason we are alive today is directly related to a spirit; the spirit God gave man (you and I) for our existence (James 2:26).
The word Holy Ghost has two distinct components:
1. It reflects the existence of a form (a Spirit or Ghost) of Power; and
2. This power (spirit) comes from a source that is Holy (God); a source of which man can receive
(Luke 1:35) “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost (not Jesus) shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
(Luke 24:49) “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
(Acts 1:8) “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
(Romans 15:13) “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
These scriptures in essence reflect the Power of God which man may acquire upon meeting certain conditions. This is of course with the understanding that it is only a measure (or portion) of God’s power that we receive. When we are filled with the Holy Ghost (or Spirit of God) it is the same as saying we have received (or possess) A SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL POWER FROM GOD (2 Timothy 1:7). The manifestation of that power is the gift we receive from God (1 Corinthians 12:6-11).
Contrary to those who claim that the phrase being “filled” with the Holy Ghost means being full of God’s spirit is essentially just a play on words. It is not to be taken literally. We do not literally receive all of God.
There is no biblical distinction, or quantitative measures, which determine how much Holy Ghost one person receives in comparison to the next person, but there is a distinction in the varying types of manifestations that can take place. It is the Holy Ghost (or the power of God) which enables individuals to speak in other tongues, prophesy, heal the sick, etc.
In order for any individual (human) to have any of these listed abilities some external (spiritual) source of power must be provided to man. The Holy Ghost is that source of power given to man from God which enables man to manifest any or all of these unique spiritual abilities (or gifts).
Man only receives a measure (or portion) of “the Spirit” unlike Jesus who was given (not by measure) all things into his hand.
(John 3:33-35) “He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”
See Also: (Frequently Asked Questions )
2. Receiving The Gift Of The Holy Ghost
3. Is Jesus the Holy Ghost?
4. The Holy Ghost And Jesus Ability To Do Miracles
5. The Holy Ghost Was Not Unique To Pentecost
6. Do You Feel The Holy Ghost All The Time?
7. Did The Holy Spirit Appear As A Bird Literally (John 1:32)?
8. Why Did John Refer To The Comforter As He Or Him Instead Of It?
9. Why Is The Holy Ghost Shown As One Of The Three Witnesses In Heaven (1John 5:7)?
10. Why Does Matthew 1:18 Say The Holy Ghost Caused Jesus Birth Instead Of The Father?
11. Why Did Christ Say Baptize In The Name Of The Father, Son, And The Holy Ghost, If There Are Not Three Personages (Matthew 28:19)?
12. Why Does Paul Mention The Holy Ghost Along With The Father And The Son If it Is Not a Person (II Corinthians 13:14)?