The Holy Ghost is True and Eternal God

Image: September morning, North Garden, Virginia 2026

(Notes from last Wednesday's Midweek Meeting series through Belgic Confession):

Belgic Confession:

Article 11 The Holy Ghost is True and Eternal God

We believe and confess also that the Holy Ghost from eternity proceeds from the Father1 and Son,2 and therefore is neither made, created, nor begotten, but only proceedeth from both; who in order is the third person of the Holy Trinity, of one and the same essence, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son; and therefore is the true and eternal God, as the Holy Scriptures teach us.3

1 Ps. 33:6, 17; John 14:16

2 Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:9; John 15:26

3 Gen. 1:2; Isa. 48:16; 61:1; Acts 5:3–4; 28:25; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Ps. 139:7.

Notes:

·         Articles 8-11 in the Belgic Confession teach the doctrine of the Trinity. There is one God who is from all eternity Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Article 10 focuses on Jesus Christ as True and Eternal God. Now, Article 11 says the Holy Ghost is True and Eternal God. We are not unitarians!

·         Charismatics speak a lot about the Holy Spirit, but Reformed believers also believe in the Holy Spirit. B. B. Warfield called John Calvin the theologian of the Holy Spirit.

·         The Trinity: The Father: eternally unbegotten. The Son: eternally begotten of the Father. The Spirit eternally proceeding (or spirating) from the Father (John 14:16) AND the Son (John 15:16). Contrast the Eastern Orthodox Church which says procession is only from the Father.

·         The Spirit is the same essence with the Father and the Son and is equal in power and glory with the Father and the Son. See Acts 5:3-4 which speaks of the lying to the Spirit and lying to God in parallel. The Spirit is God.

·         What are some of the operations or works of the Spirit? Here are a few:

-The Spirit is the Creator (Gen. 1:2) with the Father (Gen. 1:1) and The Son (John 1:3).

-The Spirit is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7).

-The Spirit sent and anointed prophets, apostles, and ministers (Isaiah 48:16; 61:1).

-The Spirit was at work in the conception/incarnation of Christ (Luke 1:35).

-The Spirit raised Christ from the dead (Rom 8:11).

-The Spirit brings about the new birth/regeneration (John 3:5-8).

-The Spirit does the work of sanctification (Rom. 15:6; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2).

-The Spirit inspired the Scriptures and speaks through them (Acts 28:25; 2 Tim 3:16).

-The Spirit indwells the believer (Rom. 8:9-16; 1 Cor. 6:19).

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle