What is the Holy Ghost?

[raindog]

Heard this mentioned a lot, and have read of it in the Bible, but don't get what it refers to. Is there a simple explanation for a non-Christian?

[Esquire]

Raindog,

The 3 person nature of God is one of the great mysteries of the christian faith. It is simple to explain but not easy to understand. There are 3 basic concepts to remember: (1) there is one eternal God; (2) God is the Father and the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit; (3) the Father; the Son, and the Holy Spirit are 3 distinct persons who exist at the same time.

We believe the Triune God is the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19 - 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,).

God is the Father - There is a person called the Father who is also called God - (2 peter 1:17 - 17For he... [Jesus] received honor and glory from God the Father)

And the Son - There is a person called the Son, or Jesus, who is also called God - The apostle Thomas, after seeing the resurrected Jesus, said to him, "My Lord and My God!" (John 20:28)

And the Holy Spirit - There is a person called the Holy Spirit, who is also equated with God - In Acts 5:3-4 the Apostle Peter rebukes a man named Ananias, saying that he has lied to the Holy Spirit. Peter then continues his rebuke: "You have not lied to men, but to God." So lying to the Holy Spirit is the same as lying to God.

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are 3 distinct persons - personal beings who possess will, intelligence, and emotion - who exist at the same time. The Father is not the Son, the Father is not the Holy Spirit, and the Son is not the Holy Spirit. Each one has an identity, although the 3 are in complete and perfect unity as the one God.

There are many examples in the bible of the distinction of the persons. At Jesus baptism the Father and the Holy Spirit are present. The Spirit of God descends like a dove, and the Father says, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17).

This triune reality of God is hard to understand completely, because God is infinite and we are finite.

Hope this helps explain at least who Christians mean when they say "Holy Ghost."

Mike

[raindog]

Thanks Esquire, that is the most lucid explanation I've yet seen!