Holy Spirit

conception of God, or an attribute thereof, in various religions

The Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost, is a part of the triune godhead (three in one God) of Christianity.[1]

Depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, in the apse of Saint Peter's Basilica.

According to the Bible

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The Holy Spirit was there from the beginning. Genesis 1:2 says that the Holy Spirit helped create the Earth.

It was by the Holy Spirit that Jesus was conceived in Mary (Matthew 1:18,19).

Major events in Jesus's life in the Gospels

When Jesus had finished his ministry on Earth, he told his followers that he would provide "another Comforter" (helper), who would lead them, into truth (John 14:16), and would be their teacher to tell them things that Jesus had not told them, but that they needed to know to continue to live for God.[2] The second chapter of the book of Acts tells how on the 50th day after Passover (called Pentecost), and 10 days after Jesus ascended to Heaven, Jesus' followers were gathered at the feast. While they were praying, the Holy Spirit came upon them. They began to speak in other languages (tongues).

Holy Spirit baptism

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While most Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is in them from the time they become born again, in Pentecostal denominations, such as the Assemblies of God, it is believed that speaking in unknown languages can still be an expression of the Holy Spirit, and that it is proof that a person has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Further reading

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  • Bellarmine, Robert (1902). "The Holy Ghost." . Sermons from the Latins. Benziger Brothers.
  • Council of Trent (1829). "Part 1: Article 8 "I Believe in the Holy Ghost.". The catechism of the Council of Trent. Translated by James Donovan. Lucas Brothers.
  • Deharbe, Joseph (1912). "Eighth Article: 'I believe in the Holy Ghost.'. A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion. Translated by Rev. John Fander. Schwartz, Kirwin & Fauss.
  •   "Holy Ghost" . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1910.

References

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  1. Caulley, Thomas Scott (2001). "Holy Spirit". In Elwell, Walter A. (ed.). Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic. p. 568. ISBN 978-1-4412-0030-3.
  2. Harper, Douglas. "ghost (n.)". Online Etymology Dictionary.