Have you ever wondered about the difference between Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit? I was raised in the Pentecostal church and we have most often used Holy Ghost. By contrast, many other denominations use the term Holy Spirit. Is there a difference? Not really.
At the time of the King James Bible both Ghost and Spirit were used interchangeably. The Greek word in the New Testament is Pneuma. There are two English words that that can translate the one Greek word: Ghost and Spirit. Ghost is from English, which is a Germanic language. Compare the German Geist and the Dutch geest. Spirit comes to us from Latin spiritus via French esprit which both mean the same as Ghost. So Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are two ways of talking about the presence of God.
The important thing to understand is not the term involved but who the Holy Spirit is. He is not a thing. He is the presence of the creator in action and especially as he involves himself with man. In the Old Testament the Spirit of God hovered over the waters of Genesis One. The Spirit of God talked with Abraham and moved on the prophets. The Spirit of God hovered over the Tabernacle of Moses, etc. In the New Testament the Spirit of God lives within the hearts of those who have been born again. According to Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19 those who were filled with the Holy Spirit spoke in tongues as the Spirit spoke through them.
The Spirit of God living in the heart of a believer gives guidance, wisdom, understanding, and direction. He is a comforter is times of loss and courage in times of fear. He will be whatever we need him to be because He is God.
A friend of mine taught me to pray, "Holy Ghost, show me such and such when I am in a place of decision." In addition to big prayers, I have said "Holy Ghost show me where my keys are", etc and it has worked. This is not to minimize the Holy Ghost to trivial things but I believe God cares about everything that bothers me. If you need strength, direction, wisdom, or anything else you can pray for the Holy Spirit to be the light and He will light the way.
Prayer for the guidance of God's Spirit:
Lord, I pray that you would let your Holy Spirit guide and give me wisdom today. Give me strength over temptation and to accomplish the tasks I must do throughout this day. Help me to be sensitive to your voice and be obedient to you. Let your Spirit illuminate your word that I may understand it. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!
At the time of the King James Bible both Ghost and Spirit were used interchangeably. The Greek word in the New Testament is Pneuma. There are two English words that that can translate the one Greek word: Ghost and Spirit. Ghost is from English, which is a Germanic language. Compare the German Geist and the Dutch geest. Spirit comes to us from Latin spiritus via French esprit which both mean the same as Ghost. So Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are two ways of talking about the presence of God.
The important thing to understand is not the term involved but who the Holy Spirit is. He is not a thing. He is the presence of the creator in action and especially as he involves himself with man. In the Old Testament the Spirit of God hovered over the waters of Genesis One. The Spirit of God talked with Abraham and moved on the prophets. The Spirit of God hovered over the Tabernacle of Moses, etc. In the New Testament the Spirit of God lives within the hearts of those who have been born again. According to Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19 those who were filled with the Holy Spirit spoke in tongues as the Spirit spoke through them.
The Spirit of God living in the heart of a believer gives guidance, wisdom, understanding, and direction. He is a comforter is times of loss and courage in times of fear. He will be whatever we need him to be because He is God.
A friend of mine taught me to pray, "Holy Ghost, show me such and such when I am in a place of decision." In addition to big prayers, I have said "Holy Ghost show me where my keys are", etc and it has worked. This is not to minimize the Holy Ghost to trivial things but I believe God cares about everything that bothers me. If you need strength, direction, wisdom, or anything else you can pray for the Holy Spirit to be the light and He will light the way.
Prayer for the guidance of God's Spirit:
Lord, I pray that you would let your Holy Spirit guide and give me wisdom today. Give me strength over temptation and to accomplish the tasks I must do throughout this day. Help me to be sensitive to your voice and be obedient to you. Let your Spirit illuminate your word that I may understand it. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!
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