The Spirit Who Proceeds | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean that the Holy Spirit proceeds? ›

This would mean that the Son agrees in the sending of the Spirit, that the Spirit is His ambassador. In turn, theologians see in this text an allusion to eternal realities. The Father and the Son send the Spirit because from all eternity, the Spirit has proceeded from the Father and the Son.

The Reformation Study Bible (formerly titled “New Geneva) was thoroughly revised and carefully crafted under the editorial leadership of R.C. Sproul and the contributions of 75 distinguished theologians and pastors from around the world.

In John 14:26 the Spirit is said to proceed from the Father, but a chapter later, in 15:26, Jesus states that he will send the Spirit from the Father. The same relation is reflected in Acts 2:33, where Peter states that Jesus has received the Spirit from the Father and sends him.

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are an enumeration of seven spiritual gifts first found in the book of Isaiah, and much commented upon by patristic authors. They are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This power that comes from the Holy Spirit allows you to stand strong for the things of God.

As the word “begotten” or the phrase “eternal generation” is used to describe the inner relationship between the Father and the Son, the word “procession” has been used to describe the inner relationship of the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son.

Sproul was an advocate of Calvinism in his many print, audio, and video publications, and advocated the Thomistic (classical) approaches to Christian apologetics, less common among Reformed apologists, most of whom prefer presuppositionalism.

Church allegiances

Sproul was first ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP). After a failed attempt to transfer to the Presbyterian Church in America, he was ordained in the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly (RPCGA) in 2000.

Christianity & Culture

Ligonier supports the work of Christian organizations and institutions that confess the final authority of Scripture and lordship of Jesus Christ, and are committed to the implementation of the social and cultural implications of God's commandments for the well-being of man and his environment.

The most common view has been that, at death, the soul immediately goes to be with God and there is a continuity of personal existence. There is no interruption of life at the end of this life, but we continue to be alive in our personal souls upon death.

Who does the Holy Spirit submit to? ›

For example, Jesus submits to the Spirit during his incarnation, but after his ascension the Holy Spirit appears to submit to him.

The Holy Spirit is believed to eternally proceed from the Father, as Christ says in John 15:26, and not from the Father and the Son, as the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches claim. The Greek Orthodox Church teaches that the Holy Spirit proceeds through the Son, but only from the Father.

During our times of communion with the Lord, we will rarely hear an audible voice when the Holy Spirit “speaks” to us. What we will sense is a strong leading to do something. Or we might feel strongly about going in a certain direction. The Holy Spirit wants to show us God's plans and purposes for our lives.

O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me.

We know that we are being led by the Spirit when we listen to the Spirit and do what he says. He speaks to us in his words that he inspired that are recorded in Scripture. The Spirit never leads anyone to say or do anything that is contrary to his revealed word.

“Proceeds from” can mean two things. One would mean “Comes to us through an action by a certain party.” As in “I (Jesus) will ask the Father, and He will send to you another comforter” from John 14. Using this meaning of proceeds from (the giver of the gift), it seems clear that the Father alone is the giver. “

He comes forth from God, as does the Son, in a timeless, eternal procession. “He proceeds from the Father,” in eternity in a divinely instantaneous and perpetual movement (Jn 15.26). Orthodox doctrine confesses that God the Father is the eternal origin and source of the Spirit, just as He is the source of the Son.

“Proceeds from the Father and the Son" means "proceeds from the Father through the Son." "Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified " The Holy Spirit is God as are the Father and the Son, and is due the same worship as the Father and the Son.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs when the Spirit of God comes upon a believer. The Holy Spirit fills the believer's mind with a genuine understanding of truth, takes possession of the believer's abilities, and imparts gifts that qualify the believer for service in the body of Christ.