What Is the Holy Ghost?

The Holy Ghost, also referred to as the Holy Spirit, is actually the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus no longer walks the earth as a man, He is present with us today by means of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. Shortly before His departure into heaven the Lord spoke saying, “. . . lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20 ).

Jesus is indeed with us always, not in bodily presence, but by way of His Holy Spirit. He reassured His disciples shortly before His crucifixion and said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18 ).

Jesus was promising His followers that His ascension into heaven would not be the end of their relationship; but instead He would return to them as a heavenly comforter, the Holy Ghost (John 14:26 ). There is no other way for Jesus to be everywhere at one time (omnipresent) except through His Spirit.

Oftentimes the Bible will speak of the Holy Ghost as the Spirit of the Lord, “Now the Lord [Jesus] is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (II Corinthians 3:17). It is also explicitly referred to as the Spirit of Jesus Christ, “. . . and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19 ).

These phrases, “Spirit of the Lord” and “Spirit of Jesus Christ,” are used interchangeably throughout the Bible with Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit. The Word of God firmly teaches that there is only one Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:4 ), the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ.