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{{trinity}}

{{trinity}}

[[Image:Murillo Annunciation.jpg|thumb|left|Annunciation of the Virgin]]

[[Image:Murillo Annunciation.jpg|thumb|left|Annunciation of the Virgin]]

The '''Holy Spirit''' (Greek: παράκλητος)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laparola.net/greco/parola.php?p=παράκλητος|format=HTML|language=English/Greek|accessdate=May 30, 2010|title=παράκλητος in the New Testament|quote=1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom|work=La Parola}}</ref> is the third person of the [[Holy Trinity]], both distinct and coequal with [[God|God the Father]] and the [[Jesus Christ|Son (Jesus)]].

The '''Holy Spirit''' (Greek: παράκλητος)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laparola.net/greco/parola.php?p=παράκλητος|language=English/Greek|accessdate=May 30, 2010|title=παράκλητος in the New Testament|quote=1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom|work=La Parola}}</ref> is the third person of the [[Holy Trinity]], both distinct and coequal with [[God|God the Father]] and the [[Jesus Christ|Son (Jesus)]].

The Holy Spirit embodies the mutual eternal love of the Father and the Son. The Greek term for the Holy Spirit is "Paraclete", which means advocate or intercessor, thereby connoting a driving force for good. The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, we say that it's the Holy Spirit at work. <ref>[http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2311269/ We Believe in the Holy Spirit.]</ref>

The Holy Spirit embodies the mutual eternal love of the Father and the Son. The Greek term for the Holy Spirit is "Paraclete", which means advocate or intercessor, thereby connoting a driving force for good. The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, we say that it's the Holy Spirit at work.<ref>[http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2311269/ We Believe in the Holy Spirit.]</ref>

The apostles credit the Holy Spirit with giving them the courage to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in a very hostile world.  Scriptural references to the Holy Spirit are in both the Old and New Testaments, and include Proverbs 8:22-31, John 16:12-15, and Romans 5:1-5.  

The apostles credit the Holy Spirit with giving them the courage to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in a very hostile world.  Scriptural references to the Holy Spirit are in both the Old and New Testaments, and include Proverbs 8:22-31, John 16:12-15, and Romans 5:1-5.  

A formal doctrine of the Holy Spirit did not begin to be developed until the early third century. Tertullian (c.160-c.225) and the Montanist heresy showed the need to distinguish between true and false activities of the Holy Spirit. Origen of Alexandria (c.185-c.254) taught that the Spirit worked primarily within the Church, whereas the Word (Christ) worked within the whole of creation...   

A formal doctrine of the Holy Spirit did not begin to be developed until the early third century. Tertullian (c.160-c.225) and the Montanist heresy showed the need to distinguish between true and false activities of the Holy Spirit. Origen of Alexandria (c.185-c.254) taught that the Spirit worked primarily within the Church, whereas the Word (Christ) worked within the whole of creation...   

The doctrine of the Spirit was further elaborated by [[Saint Augustine|St. Augustine]] in his important work ''De Trinitate'' ''("On the Trinity"),'' in which the Holy Spirit is seen as the bond of union and love between the Father and the Son. <ref> [http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/beliefs/holy_spirit.htm The Holy Spirit in Christian Theology.] </ref>

The doctrine of the Spirit was further elaborated by [[Saint Augustine|St. Augustine]] in his important work ''De Trinitate'' ''("On the Trinity"),'' in which the Holy Spirit is seen as the bond of union and love between the Father and the Son.<ref>[http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/beliefs/holy_spirit.htm The Holy Spirit in Christian Theology.]</ref>

The essential Christian teachings about the Holy Spirit are summarized in the [[Nicene Creed]]:

The essential Christian teachings about the Holy Spirit are summarized in the [[Nicene Creed]]:

The Holy Spirit as part of the Holy Trinity is: ''Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Eternal and Equal'' (to the Father and the Son).  

The Holy Spirit as part of the Holy Trinity is: ''Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Eternal and Equal'' (to the Father and the Son).  

There is a key distinction between Western Christians and the Eastern Orthodox churches on a seemingly trivial, but extremely controversial, point. Western Christians believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds "from the Father ''and the Son'' In other words, He proceeds, not by way of generation, but by way of inspiration, <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07409a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia.]</ref> from the Father and the Son together, as from a single principle. The Eastern Orthodox omit the italicized language. They believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father ''through'' the Son. The disagreement between the East and West is sometimes known as the ''[[filioque]] controversy'', from the Latin word and enclitic for "and the Son," although such term may more properly apply to the [[Great Schism]] of 1054.

There is a key distinction between Western Christians and the Eastern Orthodox churches on a seemingly trivial, but extremely controversial, point. Western Christians believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds "from the Father ''and the Son'' In other words, He proceeds, not by way of generation, but by way of inspiration,<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07409a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia.]</ref> from the Father and the Son together, as from a single principle. The Eastern Orthodox omit the italicized language. They believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father ''through'' the Son. The disagreement between the East and West is sometimes known as the ''[[filioque]] controversy'', from the Latin word and enclitic for "and the Son," although such term may more properly apply to the [[Great Schism]] of 1054.

[[Image:Holy Spirit.jpg|thumb|The Holy Spirit inhabits all who desire its presence...]]

[[Image:Holy Spirit.jpg|thumb|The Holy Spirit inhabits all who desire its presence...]]

''In the New Testament the word spirit and, perhaps, even the expression spirit of God signify at times the soul or man himself, inasmuch as he is under the influence of God and aspires to things above; more frequently, especially in St. Paul, they signify God acting in man... to the Holy Ghost we attribute the operations of grace and the sanctification of souls, and in particular spiritual gifts and fruits.''<ref> [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07409a.htm Holy Ghost, Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref>

''In the New Testament the word spirit and, perhaps, even the expression spirit of God signify at times the soul or man himself, inasmuch as he is under the influence of God and aspires to things above; more frequently, especially in St. Paul, they signify God acting in man... to the Holy Ghost we attribute the operations of grace and the sanctification of souls, and in particular spiritual gifts and fruits.''<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07409a.htm Holy Ghost, Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref>