Scripture tells us many things regarding the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. And various translations of the Bible use varying titles for Him, making it confusing for some.
So, which title is correct: Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit? Are they the same or do they refer to different beings altogether?
What Is the Spirit?
A good place to start is taking a look at what we know about the Holy Spirit. We know the following:
- He is God (Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-27; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Hebrews 3:7-9).
- As God, He is coequal with the Father and the Son, is eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, and eternally self-existent (Matthew 3:16; 28:19; John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 12: 4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 9:14; Romans 8:2; Psalm 139:7-8).
- Like the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit is Sovereign over all that exists, both visible and invisible (Zechariah 12:10).
- The Holy Spirit shared in the work of creating the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1-2).
- The Holy Spirit divinely inspired the authors of Scripture to write His self-revelation and divine will for humanity (2 Peter 1:21).
It is through the Holy Spirit that we are given the supernatural grace to respond to Christ’s offer of redemption (1 Corinthians 12:13).
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and conforms us to the image of Christ (John 15:8-11; Galatians 5:16-18, 25).
Is the Holy Ghost the Same as the Holy Spirit?
Is the Holy Ghost the same as the Holy Spirit? For most of us, the word “ghost” brings to mind the disembodied spirit of the dead. Visions of haunted houses, see-through specters, and perhaps our favorite horror film.
Many of us associate the word with scary tales told around a campfire as we roast marshmallows and do our best to frighten each other as we camp in the dark forest. This makes the use of the title “Holy Ghost” a bit odd to us.
The most commonly used Bible for Protestants, the King James Version, refers to the Third Person of the Holy Trinity as the “Holy Ghost” no less than 90 times. Oddly enough, it also employs the title “Holy Spirit.”
The Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament, utilizes only one word for “spirit,” but the translators of the King James Version translated it differently in different verses. Were they referring to two different beings?
The answer is no. Keep in mind that when the King James Version was translated (1611 AD) the word “ghost” was in common usage and referred to any being thought to be purely of spirit, not a material being.
This meant they could use the words “ghost” and “spirit” interchangeably. There are not two different beings referred to, nor did the translators of the King James Version understand their choice of words to refer to the disembodied dead.
In fact, the earlier Catholic versions of the Bible, as well as liturgy and prayers in the Catholic and Anglican traditions all use the title “Holy Ghost” as well. We have to keep in mind that language changes over time.
Meanings of words fluctuate as culture fluctuates. If you were able to travel through time back to the beginnings of the English language, or even to the Medieval era, you would very likely find it difficult to communicate clearly, as many words and their meanings were quite different.
We see the same in a fairly modern context. The word “cool,” which is intended to describe temperature, has been used to refer to something that is liked or pleasurable.
Likewise, the word “dope” refers to drugs, generally of an illegal variety, but has replaced the word “cool” in many American subcultures and is also used to refer to something found pleasurable or desirable.
There is no question that the Holy Ghost is exactly the same as the Holy Spirit. We are just dealing with different words used to refer to the same Person.
The Holy Ghost/Spirit is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, and as the historic creeds make clear, He is coeternal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
He works as the direct presence of God in our lives and the life of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:13), brings praise and glory to Christ, convicts us of sin in our lives, and gradually shapes us into the image of our Savior (John 16:7-9; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22).
For example, the Athanasian creed, written in the late fifth to early sixth century AD, states:
“But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated.
The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite.
So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God.
And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord.”
Why Does This Matter?
It does not matter which title you use, Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, you are referring to the same Person: the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, your God.
For further reading:
What Pronoun Is Used for the Holy Spirit: He, She, or It?
Why Can the Bible Only Be Understood Through the Spirit? (1 Corinthians 2:14)
How Are Believers Empowered by the Holy Spirit?
Was the Holy Spirit at Creation?
What Does it Mean That the Holy Spirit Is Our Paraclete?
What Is the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Should We Worship the Holy Spirit?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty images Plus/mputsylo
J. Davila-Ashcraft is an Anglican priest, Theologian, and Apologist, and holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies and Theology from God’s Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a recognized authority on the topic of exorcism, and in that capacity has contributed to and/or appeared on programming for The National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, and CNN. He is the host of Expedition Truth, a one-hour apologetics radio talk show.
