“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.” — John 15:26 (BSB)
Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit… You have not lied to men, but to God!” — Acts 5:3–4 (BSB)
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you… If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells within you.” — Romans 8:9–11 (BSB)
“Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” — 1 Corinthians 3:16 (BSB)
The Holy Spirit’s role is vital in both creation and redemption. In creation, the Spirit hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2); in redemption, He regenerates hearts, convicts of sin, gives spiritual gifts, and unites believers to Christ. Jesus promised the Spirit would come to guide, teach, and glorify Him (John 14:26; 15:26). At Pentecost, this promise was fulfilled, as the Spirit descended to empower the Church to bear witness to Christ throughout the world.
Anglican theology reveres the Holy Spirit as “the Lord and Giver of life,” as stated in the Nicene Creed. The Book of Common Prayer frequently invokes the Holy Spirit in prayers for illumination, sanctification, and mission. Article V of the Thirty-Nine Articles states: “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.” His ongoing work is essential to the Christian life and the Church’s witness.
The Holy Spirit applies the benefits of Christ’s finished work to believers. He indwells them, assures them of God’s love, equips them for service, and produces spiritual fruit such as love, joy, peace, and self-control. He convicts the world of sin and righteousness, calling people to repentance and faith. As the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16), the Church is both empowered and purified by His presence. He leads, guards, and unifies the body of Christ across time and cultures.
As Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote, “The Holy Spirit’s work is no less mighty than that of the Father in creation or of the Son in redemption.” He is not a lesser God, but fully divine, working powerfully in the world and intimately in our hearts. To believe in the Holy Spirit is to trust in God’s present help, to welcome His transforming grace, and to walk in step with the One who leads us into all truth.
Basil firmly upheld the full divinity and personhood of the Holy Spirit in response to heresies.
St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD) taught: “The Spirit is inseparable from the essence of the Father and the Son. He is in God and from God, and He gives the knowledge of God.” — Letters to Serapion, 1.20
Athanasius emphasized the Spirit’s role in revealing God and uniting believers to Christ.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329–390 AD) said: “The Spirit is truly Spirit, proceeding from the Father, not made nor created but divine—He is God and equal to the Father and the Son.” — Oration 31.4
Gregory eloquently defended the Holy Spirit’s equality in the Trinity and His active presence in the Church.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) wrote: “The Holy Spirit is the mutual love between the Father and the Son… He is not less than the Father and the Son but consubstantial and coeternal.” — On the Trinity, 15.17
Augustine highlighted the Spirit’s relational role within the Trinity as the bond of divine love.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD) taught: “The Holy Spirit is the living water given to those who thirst. He is light, life, and the seal of salvation.” — Catechetical Lectures, 16.3
Cyril focused on the Spirit’s role in sanctifying and indwelling the believer, bringing God’s presence into daily life.
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
