V. The Holy Ghost

I have been tempted to write my take on the current events of today and the isolation that we are living in. In the end, I have decided to continue my series. This is for my good, even if no one reads this.

May the Lord be glorified.

V. Of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

Like the Trinity, this fifth article is also three-sided. The Spirit is of one substance, majesty and glory. This article as stated in the history post, was not in the original Articles written by Cranmer, but was added, some say, in order to echo the trinitarian mold of the creeds.

As stated in Article I, The Spirit or Ghost, is fully God. It is filled with glory and majesty just as the Son and the Father are. It is God in spirit form. He was given at Pentacost and He is working even today.

The clause, proceeding from the Father and the Son, has been a point of contention between the Eastern and the Western churches for hundreds of years. Historians think that around 589 in Toledo, Spain, the Nicene Creed was changed to say that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Son as well. Slowly the Western Church accepted it and added it to the liturgy. The Eastern church (Russian, Ukrainian, Greek Orthodox) never accepted it so the world has two different forms of the Trinity. As Anglicans we are a part of the Western Church and so we accept the Florence declaration which was adopted officially in 1439 in which states, that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son.

We, as Anglicans, have come to realize that this Article is very important as the Holy Spirit’s work is so crucial to our lives every day.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. – John 14:26

"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. - John 15:26

I am so glad that God has given us the Spirit, during these times of unrest, I am thankful that He groans on our behalf. We continue to pray for Italy, China, and all those around the world who are suffering and grieving. May the Lord have Mercy.

Take Heart my friends

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:26-28