238. In what sense is the Holy Ghost called the Lord?
In the same sense as the Son of God, that is, as very God.
239. Is this witnessed by holy Scripture?
It is plain from the words spoken by the Apostle Peter to rebuke Ananias: Why hath Satan fitted thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost? and further on, Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Acts v. 3, 4.
240. What are we to understand by this, that the Holy Ghost is called the Giver of life?
That he, together with God the Father and the Son, giveth life to all creatures, especially spiritual life to men.
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God. John iii. 5.
241. Whence know we that the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father?
This we know from the following words of Jesus Christ himself: But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. John xv. 26.
242. Does the doctrine of the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father admit of any change or supplement?
No. First, because the Orthodox Church, in this doctrine, repeats the very words of Jesus Christ; and his words, without doubt, are an exact and perfect expression of the truth. Secondly, because the second œcumenical Council, whose chief object was to establish the true doctrine respecting the Holy Ghost, has without doubt sufficiently set forth the same in the Creed; and the Catholic Church has acknowledged this so decidedly, that the third œcumenical Council in its seventh canon forbade the composition of any new Creed.
For this cause John Damascene writes: Of the Holy Ghost, we both say that he is from the Father, and call him the Spirit of the Father; while we nowise say that he is from the Son, but only call him the Spirit of the Son. (Theol. lib. i. c. 11; v. 4.)
243. Whence does it appear that the Holy Ghost is equally with the Father and the Son, and, together with them, to be worshiped and glorified?
It appears from this, that Jesus Christ commanded to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matt. xxviii. 19.
244. Why is it said in the Creed that the Holy Ghost spake by the prophets?
This is said against certain heretics, who taught that the books of the Old Testament were not written by the Holy Ghost.
245. Does holy Scripture witness that the Holy Ghost really spake by the prophets?
The Apostle Peter writes: For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Pet. i. 21.
246. Did not the Holy Ghost speak also by the Apostles?
Certainly he did. Unto the prophets, says also the Apostle Peter, it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. Pet. i. 12.
247. Why, then, is there no mention of the Apostles in the Creed?
Because when the Creed was composed none doubted of the inspiration of the Apostles.
248. Was not the Holy Ghost manifested to men in some very special manner?
Yes. He came down upon the Apostles, in the form of fiery tongues, on the fiftieth day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
249. Is the Holy Ghost communicated to men even now likewise?
He is communicated to all true Christians. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Cor. iii. 16.
250. How may we be made partakers of the Holy Ghost?
Through fervent prayer, and through the Sacraments.
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? Luke xi. 13.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Titus iii. 4-6.
251. What are the chief gifts of the Holy Ghost?
The chief and more general are, as reckoned by the Prophet Isaiah, the following seven: the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of knowledge, the spirit of might, the spirit of counsel, the spirit of understanding, the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of the Lord, or the gift of piety and inspiration in the highest degree. Isaiah xi. 2.
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