Article 3

Of the Holy Ghost we believe and confess: that there is a true, real Holy Ghost, also included in the one, eternal, divine essence; who proceeds from the Father and the Son and is the power of the Most High, by whom the Father and the Son work, and through whom heaven and earth, and all the heavenly host were made. Therefore the divine attributes are ascribed to Him: eternal, almighty, holy, all-knowing; who searches the deep things of the Godhead, knows what is in God, and goes through and searches all spirits, however subtle they may be. He is therefore confessed as the true God with the Father and the Son. And He is the subtle breath of the power of God, who by His divine inspiration enlightens and kindles the heart of man, and strengthens him and leads him into all truth. He is given by God to all who obey Him. All who are led by this Spirit are the sons of God. He who does not have this Spirit does not belong to God. He is called the seal and earnest of the inheritance of all true children of God. He who blasphemes this Spirit must never expect forgiveness. Christ also commands that believers be baptized in the name of the Holy Ghost. [n528-1]

Concerning this one Spirit of God, read: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Genesis 1, verses 1 and 2.

Through Paul we are taught: "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." First Corinthians 12, verse 4. "But that one and the selfsame Spirit works all these, dividing to every man separately as he wills. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are bond or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit." First Corinthians 12, verses 11 and 13. Read also: Second Samuel 23, verse 2; Ephesians 4, verse 4; Matthew 10, verse 20; Luke 12, verse 12; Matthew 3, verse 16; John 1, verse 32; Matthew 28, verse 19; Mark 16, verse 16.