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From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 7:25 am
by _moksha
This is a question in two parts that I was hoping some Christian and LDS scholars could explain:
1. When did the Holy Spirit appear as part of the Christian cosmology? I imagine the idea was around in the early days
of the Church and perhaps even was part of some earlier gnostic tradition, but that is just a guess pull out of the air.
2. What is the LDS explanation as to the origin of the Holy Ghost?
Hope you can help give me the scoop on HG, since this is a good thing to know when discussing religion.
Re: From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 3:10 pm
by _sleepyhead
Hello moksha,
According to the book of Acts the Holy Ghost first appeared at pentecost a few weeks after the crucifixon. Only a few select individuals such as peter, John, and Paul were able to pass the HG onto others. Apparently according to chapter 8 Philip wasn't able to give the Holy Ghost.
Re: From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:14 am
by _moksha
So, sometime around 100 AD in the Book of Acts? Was this first mentioned as a euphemism for God, in the same manner of the Jewish superstition that you should not write out the entire name of G*d? Wonder if it then morphed into the tripartite God?
Re: From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 10:08 am
by _Mary
Not sure of the answers but brilliant questions. Don't Jews teach that Shekinah is a divine aspect of God. God's influence rather than any separate personage? Theology probably developed from that. Will have to go check.
Re: From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 3:25 pm
by _jo1952
There are manifestations of the Holy Ghost in the Old Testament. Perhaps we need to modify the question; make a distinction between the Holy Ghost and the "gift" of the Holy Ghost. Also, since God does not change, it seems that the Godhead would always have been.
Shalom,
jo
Re: From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:24 am
by _LittleNipper
Genesis 1:1-2 says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God - the Holy Spirit makes his first appearance in the second verse of the Bible.
Re: From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 5:34 am
by _moksha
Was this Spirit of God thought to be God in stealth mode?
Re: From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:41 am
by _Bazooka
Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the Comforter.
Additional Information
Roles of the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, fulfilling several roles to help us live righteously and receive the blessings of the gospel.
He “witnesses of the Father and the Son” (2 Nephi 31:18) and reveals and teaches “the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). We can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ only by the power of the Holy Ghost. His communication to our spirit carries far more certainty than any communication we can receive through our natural senses.
As we strive to stay on the path that leads to eternal life, the Holy Ghost can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger.
Through Him, we can receive gifts of the Spirit for our benefit and for the benefit of those we love and serve (see D&C 46:9-11).
He is the Comforter (John 14:26). As the soothing voice of a loving parent can quiet a crying child, the whisperings of the Spirit can calm our fears, hush the nagging worries of our life, and comfort us when we grieve. The Holy Ghost can fill us “with hope and perfect love” and “teach [us] the peaceable things of the kingdom” (Moroni 8:26; D&C 36:2).
Through His power, we are sanctified as we repent, receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and remain true to our covenants (see Mosiah 5:1-6; 3 Nephi 27:20; Moses 6:64-68).
He is the Holy Spirit of Promise (see Ephesians 1:13; D&C 132:7, 18-19, 26). In this capacity, He confirms that the priesthood ordinances we have received and the covenants we have made are acceptable to God. This approval depends on our continued faithfulness.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost
All honest seekers of the truth can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, leading them to Jesus Christ and His gospel. However, the fulness of the blessings given through the Holy Ghost are available only to those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy.
After a person is baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders lay their hands on the person's head and, in a sacred priesthood ordinance, confirm him or her a member of the Church. As part of this ordinance, called confirmation, the person is given the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is different from the influence of the Holy Ghost. Before baptism, a person can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time and through that influence can receive a testimony of the truth. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, a person has the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead if he or she keeps the commandments.
http://www.LDS.org/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng
Re: From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:42 pm
by _subgenius
The HG is mentioned in John 14:26
http://www.LDS.org/scriptures/New Testament/john/14.26?lang=eng#25"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."but it is important to note what is stated in John 7:39
http://www.LDS.org/scriptures/New Testament/john/7.39?lang=eng#38"(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"i believe the HG is also critical to the immaculate conception as well.
The HG does appear in the Old Testament, though minimally. For example:
Exodus 40:35
http://www.LDS.org/scriptures/Old Testament/ex/40?lang=eng"And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."It seems that the HG has jewish origins with regards to an "invisible force" which is the Spirit of God and is able to dwell among people and places...see also Psalms 51:11.
But to specifically answer the thread's question...the HG came from whence God came from.
Re: From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:44 pm
by _subgenius
moksha wrote:Was this Spirit of God thought to be God in stealth mode?
ninja mode
