What is the Difference Between The Holy Ghost and The Holy Spirit?
At first, I refrained from entering this debate on whether there is any difference between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit.
Then, the answer seems very obvious to me. However, as I examine the Scriptures, I realize that there is indeed a need for “a comfortable place to land”.
In the Holy Bible, the first occurrence of the phrase “Holy Spirit” happens in the Book of Psalms.
“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”
Psalm 51:11
Thus, the first difference between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit, the latter had only rested on men while the former lives in us (1 Samuel 10:6; John 14:17).
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
“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.”
(John 14:26)
The Spirit of God is only called, by the Bible, the Holy Ghost only after the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. Not before!
According to Don Stewart over at “Blue Letter Bible”, the two “Committees” responsible for the translation of the Bible from Greek to English, made an error.
Sometimes, we need the Word of Wisdom to understand these things!
Stewart also asserts that “There is no theological reason why the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the Holy Ghost.”
He says “the reason” is in the translation.
However, could the difference between the usage of both be far more important than many could perceive? Could the reason be in something besides the translation?
On the other hand, this takes us to the first usage of the Comforter, in the Bible. You will find it in the Gospel of Matthew.
Jesus of Nazareth Anointed With the Spirit
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
Matthew 1:18
Therefore, He is the father of Jesus Christ. There are eighty-eight other places in the New Testament (NT) where you will find references to Him.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
Acts 10:38
The third and final reference:
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
However, to comprehend the seeming disparity between the two usages we must understand the Godhead.
There are only three manifestations of the Godhead. The Lord God is the Father in Creation; He is the Son (Jesus Christ) in Redemption, and He is the Holy Ghost (not the Holy Spirit) in the Church.
Yet, He’s one Lord God. These are the three distinct roles of the Lord God.
This demarcation is not mere semantics but necessary for us to perceive the oneness of God.
The role of the Father is finished. He will never create anything else. Consequently, the Bible declares that He rested on the seventh day.
In other words, He finished “all His work” (Genesis 2:2).
He is Still Active in the Church
Similarly, the role of the Son is completed. Jesus Christ has redeemed and reconciled humanity to God. This transpired when his sinless blood spilled on the cross; when he was buried; resurrected and ascended to heaven. He purchased our salvation.
“It’s finished.”
Finally, the Father of Jesus Christ is still active in the Church. He is the power of Christ.
So, to differentiate the power of the Son of God from the power of the Lord God Scriptures utilize the Holy Ghost for the former and the Holy Spirit for the latter.
Now, this is not a theological reason but a celestial one.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
1 John 5:7
The Lord God wants us to understand that there are not three gods in heaven. God is not a man; therefore, there are not three persons in the Godhead. God is one and He’s a Spirit! (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 4:24).
Conclusion
The Spirit Keeps Books
The Lord God is a God of order. He’s organized. The Father or the Word or the Holy Ghost “bear[s] record”. He keeps a record because He has “books”.
And one of those “books” chronicles all the activities of the Word (Jesus Christ) and of the Comforter (the power of the Son) in all the earth (Revelation 20:12).
Everything that we do on the earth relative to the three manifestations of the Lord God, He keeps a record of it.
What will your excuse be on that Day of Judgment when the Lord God opens His books?
Will the “record” show that you believed the Word or that you believed in the power of the Word; the Son of God?
Accept Jesus Christ today. Believe in his name and receive eternal life for he is the true Son of God.
Is the Holy Ghost Identical to the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are identical in nature. They both emanate from the same source; the Lord God.
However, since the Word will judge every person because of his or her attitude to Him and to the Holy Ghost; therefore, there must be a distinction in names; hence Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit.
There will be no confusion in judgment. The Word will not judge us because of our attitude to the Father.
Neither will He judge us because of how we dealt with the Son or the Holy Ghost.
But he will judge us regarding our works.
In closing, the Scriptures use the Holy Ghost to reference Jesus Christ. But they utilize the Holy Spirit to relate to the Lord God. There’s no error in translation. God is true and He’s one!
Leroy A. Daley is an author, blogger, YouTuber, and Bible teacher. Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. He has been studying and teaching the Bible for more than forty years. He is passionate about the Lord and spends quality time with the Word of God every day.
His Books are available for purchase wherever books are sold.
When was this interesting article, “Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is There Any Difference?” written?
I cannot seem to find a date. I am curious how long it has had no comment.
Leroy Daley October 23, 2021
Hi i7sharp, ten or even twenty or more years from now, and this Bible study will remain relevant.
Its content will not change with time.
I have observed that many contemporary Christians preferred saying Holy Spirit instead of Holy Ghost.
I just wanted to add biblical context!
Victoria ojaekomo December 10, 2021
I feel the Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost is the same person. But there’s a part that he reveals to you based on what you come to him for or rather bring to his table. If you study the Bible closely when the Holy Spirit is mentioned there’s always a solemn atmosphere but when the Holy Ghost is mentioned there’s a force. From my conclusion or rather my encounter is that when the spirit of the lord comes solemnly then he comes as the Holy Spirit and when he comes with a force he comes as the Holy Ghost.
Leroy Daley December 10, 2021
Thank you Victoria. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us your experience with the Holy Ghost.
I appreciate it much.
Blessings!!
When was this interesting article, “Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is There Any Difference?” written?
I cannot seem to find a date. I am curious how long it has had no comment.
Hi i7sharp, ten or even twenty or more years from now, and this Bible study will remain relevant.
Its content will not change with time.
I have observed that many contemporary Christians preferred saying Holy Spirit instead of Holy Ghost.
I just wanted to add biblical context!
I feel the Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost is the same person. But there’s a part that he reveals to you based on what you come to him for or rather bring to his table. If you study the Bible closely when the Holy Spirit is mentioned there’s always a solemn atmosphere but when the Holy Ghost is mentioned there’s a force. From my conclusion or rather my encounter is that when the spirit of the lord comes solemnly then he comes as the Holy Spirit and when he comes with a force he comes as the Holy Ghost.
Thank you Victoria. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us your experience with the Holy Ghost.
I appreciate it much.
Blessings!!