From Whence Came the Holy Ghost?

[_Mary]

Okay, been trying to get my head around this subject.

John, the last gospel to be written, (see Chapters 14 and 16 in particular) of those that made it into the canon, is unique in it's portrayal of the Holy ghost as far as I can tell. The synoptics nor Acts treat the spirit of God in the same way as the Johannine texts, which indicate that for this particular group of Christians, the concept of a separate personage within the Godhead had developed away from early Jewish Christianity.

That makes total sense. It would have been utterly blasphemous to suggest that the spirit,( πνευμα ) or wind of God was another personage within a Jewish context.

[_moksha]

That makes total sense. It would have been utterly blasphemous to suggest that the spirit,( πνευμα ) or wind of God was another personage within a Jewish context.

Mary, could you see the idea of the Holy Ghost arising from pre-Christian gnosticism and being incorporated into the early Christian faith in much the same manner that a celebration day (Sunday) was set aside for Mithra?

[_Mary]

That makes total sense. It would have been utterly blasphemous to suggest that the spirit,( πνευμα ) or wind of God was another personage within a Jewish context.

Mary, could you see the idea of the Holy Ghost arising from pre-Christian gnosticism and being incorporated into the early Christian faith in much the same manner that a celebration day (Sunday) was set aside for Mithra?

Moksha, I think that Sunday, as the Lord's Day developed early, at least that is what some of the evidence suggests within the New Testament texts. I don't think it had anything to do with Mithras, but perhaps others know more. Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, at least according to some of the gospel records, so it makes sense that this day, as well as the traditional Jewish Sabbath would be 'special' days.

I don't know, but Pliny suggests that the group he was familar with met very early in the morning. Maybe they met early on a Sunday, because being a busy 1st day of the week it was a regular work day? (Edited, suggested the Didache which is incorrect)

I know it is wiki.... but it's details on Ruach Hakodesh are interesting, and indicate that the basis for the belief in the Holy Spirit can be found within the Old Testament.

I've also been checking out Philo, and his writings all indicate the seeds of Holy Word (Logos), Holy Father, and Holy Spirit as they developed within later Christian Tradition.

Interestingly, his writings on manna, bread as divine word and Logos, may have influenced some branches of the developing christian tradition also.

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/artic ... lo-judaeus

"Such a divine spirit, too, is that of Moses, which visits the seventy elders that they may excel others and he brought to something better...For it is written, 'I will take of the spirit that is on thee and lay it upon the seventy elders' [Numb. xi. 17].

(On the Giants, VI. 24-28).

"For when Moses was now on the point of being taken away, and was standing at the very starting-place, as it were, that he might fly away and complete his journey to heaven, he was once more inspired and filled with the Holy Spirit, and while still alive, he prophesied admirably what should happen to himself after his death, relating, that is, how he had died when he was not as yet dead, and how he was buried without any one being present so as to know of his tomb [Deuteronomy 34:6 (!)], because in fact he was entombed not by mortal hands, but by immortal powers..."

(On the Life of Moses, II, LI, 291).

"And if, indeed, any one assuming the name and appearance of a prophet [Deuteronomy 13:1], appearing to be inspired and possessed by the Holy Spirit, were to seek to lead the people to the worship of those who are accounted gods in the different cities, it would not be fitting for the people to attend to him being deceived by the name of a prophet. For such an one is an imposter and not a prophet..."

(The Special Laws, I, LVIII, 315)

"Whenever, therefore, he [Abraham] was possessed by the Holy Spirit he at once changed everything for the better, his eyes and his complexion, and his size and his appearance while standing, and his motions, and his voice; the Holy Spirit, which, being breathed into him from above, took up its lodging in his soul, clothing his body with extraordinary beauty, and investing his words with persuasiveness at the same time that it endowed his hearers with understanding."

(On the Virtues, XXXIX, 217)

Interesting stuff.

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/yonge/

[_Franktalk]

I am enjoying this topic. I think we have more unfolding and revealing going on than some would admit. Christ was mostly hid in the Old Testament and so was the Holy Spirit. Then over time the prophets hinted at many things. Many of those things have been revealed. But I believe we have much more coming our way. I like this prophecy:

Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

[_moksha]

Can't sleep and so will do some useless prattle. What if the Holy Ghost is a place card for the missing son. Sort of the third part of the Gunas that Krishna revealed to Aruna: God the Creator, Christ the Protector and the missing son the Destroyer?

What if there is but one elephant and many blind men? Can you imagine a fourth part being described by one of the blind men straggling behind: The Aroma Muffin.

Good thing I believe in a loving God who appreciates even primitive humor.

[_Tobin]

2. What is the LDS explanation as to the origin of the Holy Ghost?

From what I've read, Joseph Smith claimed to have been the Holy Ghost before being born. I believe the Holy Ghost is a priesthood organization of all the spirits who have yet to be born. We each have these guardian spirits to watch over us and guide us if we choose to follow God.

[_ZelphtheGreat]

Considering how effective he Is at confirming real facts and truth..., probably Cleveland.

[_Bazooka]

Considering how effective he Is at confirming real facts and truth..., probably Cleveland.

Given His propensity for locating automobile keys I'd say He's based in Detroit.

[_Albion]

Within Christian theology the Holy Spirit is the third person of the triune God...co-equal in every way with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is manifest in many ways throughout the Old Testament and in several places in the New Testament prior to Pentecost. Pentecost marks the time and place when the Holy Spirit became a "constant" within the lives of believers.

[_Brackite]

Within Christian theology the Holy Spirit is the third person of the triune God...co-equal in every way with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is manifest in many ways throughout the Old Testament and in several places in the New Testament prior to Pentecost. Pentecost marks the time and place when the Holy Spirit became a "constant" within the lives of believers.

Well, of course the Holy Spirit is the third person of the triune God since the Book of Mormon clearly Proclaims this.

2 Nephi 31:21:

[21] And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.


Alma 11:44:

[44] Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.