The Apostolic Church—rooted in the teaching of the Twelve and the preaching of the early Fathers—confesses that the Holy Spirit is fully divine. This blog post examines how Scripture, the Church’s worship, the early Councils, and the Fathers bear witness to the Spirit’s deity, enabling us to affirm with confidence: “We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity.”
1. SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATIONS
1.1 Divine Titles and Actions
- In the Great Commission, Jesus commands baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 NKJV). The singular “name” underscores equal deity and oneness among the three Persons.
- At Pentecost, Peter declares that the Spirit is poured out “just as I foretold,” quoting Joel’s prophecy of the Lord (Acts 2:16–17 NKJV). He treats the Spirit’s coming as the fulfillment of Yahweh’s own promise.
1.2 Attributes of God ascribed to the Spirit
Scripture attributes to the Holy Spirit those characteristics that belong only to God:
- Creator: “The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” at creation (Genesis 1:2 NKJV).
- Giver of Life: “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4 NKJV).
- Omniscient: “The Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10 NKJV).
- Omnipresent: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7 NKJV).
- Resurrecting Power: “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies” (Romans 8:11 NKJV).
2. DIVINE HONOR AND WORSHIP
2.1 Equated with the Father and the Son
- In Acts 5:3–4, Peter confronts Ananias: lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God. He does not draw a distinction—he calls the Spirit “the Lord.”
- Paul prays, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV). The Spirit stands alongside Father and Son in the benediction.
2.2 Liturgical Invocation
From the earliest liturgies, Christians invoked the Spirit with divine titles:
- Prayers to the Spirit as “Lord and Giver of Life”
- Epiclesis in the Eucharist: calling down the Spirit to transform the gifts (see 1 Cor 11:25 NKJV parallels)
3. THE EARLY COUNCILS AND CREEDS
3.1 Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (381)
“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,” precisely affirms the Spirit’s co-equality and co-worship within the Godhead.
3.2 Apostles’ Creed (pre-4th century)
Although shorter, its triune baptismal formula and “I believe in the Holy Spirit” implicitly rest on New Testament teaching about the Spirit’s divine personhood and work.
4. PATRISTIC WITNESS
4.1 Tertullian (c. 155–240 AD)
“Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. He is unworthy to be called a Christian… He who rejects the Spirit as ungodly deprives himself of salvation.”
4.2 St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD)
“The Spirit is God, the Lord and Giver of life, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified.”
4.3 St. Basil the Great (c. 329–379 AD)
In On the Holy Spirit, Basil argues the Spirit’s uncreated nature and power: “If the Spirit were a creature, … He would stand beneath in dignity. But He alone grants us communion with the Father and the Son.”
5. SACRAMENTAL AND EXPERIENTIAL ASSURANCE
5.1 Baptism and Chrismation
At Baptism, the Spirit is called down to wash away sin (Acts 2:38 NKJV). Chrismation (anointing) seals the believer with the Gift of God (2 Cor 1:22 NKJV)—a distinctly divine operation.
5.2 Spiritual Gifts and Fruit
The Spirit distributes gifts (1 Cor 12:4–11 NKJV) and produces godly character (Gal 5:22–23 NKJV). These effects go beyond natural human ability, pointing to a divine source.
CONCLUSION
From creation’s first breath to Pentecost’s fiery outpouring, from the baptismal waters to the depths of the human heart, the Holy Spirit bears every mark of deity. The Apostolic Church, guided by Scripture, the Councils, and the Fathers, has never wavered: the Spirit is God, one with the Father and the Son—worthy of our worship, obedience, and love.
Further Reading
- St. Basil the Great, On the Holy Spirit
- Tertullian, Against Praxeas
- St. Athanasius, Four Discourses Against the Arians
- J.N.D. Kelly, Early Christian Creeds
- Robert Letham, The Holy Trinity
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