Last week we spoke on the seventh article of the Apostle’s Creed, “From thence He (Christ) shall come to judge the living and the dead.”  This article affirms that Christ will return to earth ‘just as He left it’ - as a man - not a meek man but one coming upon the clouds of heaven ‘with great power and majesty’ to do judgement. The eighth article, “I believe in the Holy Ghost,” begins the third part of the Apostle’s Creed.

The first part of the creed presents God the Father (Creator of the world); the second part contains six articles on God the Son (Redeemer of the world); the third part contains five articles which relate to God the Holy Ghost (Sanctifier of the world) and His work in our salvation.

Recall that before the risen Savior ascends into heaven, He directs His nervous apostles in the Upper Room, “Stay here in Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high.” (Lk 24:49).  Nine days later, the first Christian Pentecost, this power comes in the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, “they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak in various languages, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.” (Acts 2:4). This is the same Person promised to the Apostles at the Last Discourse wherein Christ foretold His departure then promises to send another helper, “I will ask the Father and He shall give you another Paraclete (Helper) that He may abide with you forever... He shall abide with you and He shall be in you.” (Jn 14:16-17).  St. Paul identifies this Person as the source of our spiritual life, “...the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, Who is given to us.” (Rm 5:5). 

When we say, “I believe in the Holy Ghost”...
We believe that the Holy Ghost is God; He is One with the Father and the Son; and, thereby, He is deserving of equal adoration.

Now it is obvious that the Apostle’s Creed says more about God the Father and much more about God the Son than about God the Holy Ghost.  Why?  In the early centuries of Christianity there were more heresies concerning the Son than the Holy Ghost.  Not until the beginning of the 4th century did the Church find it necessary to combat errors concerning the Holy Ghost, especially the false teaching that He is merely a creature and thereby not God. 

In response to such wrong ideas, the Apostle’s Creed was gradually expanded.  In 1274, the Second Council of Lyon formally accepted the version of the Nicene-Constantinople Creed, said now every Sunday, which states, “I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Lord; the Giver of life; Who proceeds from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and Son is worshiped and glorified; Who has spoken through the prophets."

Put again, We believe...
that the Holy Ghost is the Lord, which is to say, He is God and not a mere creature.  He gives more than natural life, He is the Giver of supernatural life in the soul.  “He will be with you and in you.”  He is the Sanctifier; He is Uncreated Grace who creates Sanctifying Grace in the soul of man thereby enabling Him to take up residence in the soul of the just man.  Anyone dying with Sanctifying Grace adhering to his soul will see God for all eternity.  He proceeds equally from God the Father and God the Son; He proceeds by an eternal procession from the Father and the Son as from one principle.  He is to be adored equally with the Father and the Son as all three Persons are one Divine Nature. And He moved the holy prophets of old to prepare the way for the coming Messiah and salvation of the world.  
 In brief, these are some truths regarding the Holy Ghost from the Nicene Creed; now let us review some beliefs regarding His work in our soul.

We believe that the Holy Ghost creates Sanctifying Grace in the soul at baptism (water, desire, or blood) which thereby justifies him and allows the Holy Ghost entry and residence.  Moreover, in this sanctified soul, this same Holy Ghost infuses the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity.  Faith so that she might believe all that God has revealed for her salvation; Hope so that she might live with moral assurance that her sins are forgiven, grace will be given and heaven may be achieved; Charity so that she might love God above all things and love her neighbor for the love of God.   Besides these theological virtues (theological as related directly to God), the Holy Ghost also infuses the moral virtues (which relate indirectly to God) of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.  Prudence is the virtue (power of soul) which assists the soul in the right use of means to obtain a good end; justice - assists the soul to give God and neighbor their proper due; fortitude - assists the soul to persevere through tribulations; temperance - assists the soul to moderate the desires of the flesh.  

Beyond the theological virtues and moral virtues, however, we also believe that the Holy Ghost dispenses 7 gifts to the soul in sanctifying grace which serve to perfect the infused virtues.  Wisdom (contemplates divine things) perfects Charity; knowledge (judges all from a divine viewpoint) and understanding (penetrates divine mysteries) advance Faith; counsel (enlightens the mind to decide and act) perfects prudence; piety (disposes reverence for God as Father and for men as sons of God) perfects justice; the gift of fortitude (undertakes and endures even the most difficult tasks) perfects the virtue of fortitude; and fear of the Lord (dreads to lose God’s friendship and strengthens confidence in the power of His help) perfects both hope and temperance.

These are a few doctrines related to the eighth article of the Apostle’s Creed.

As a final note, we should often reflect on the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in our soul.  St. Paul tells us, “Know you not that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (I Cor. 3:16)  Almighty God has adopted us as His children; we are so many sons and daughters of a loving and good God.  Indeed, God loves us so much He freely makes us His dwelling... if we but give Him a nice room.  Oh, but if we consent to sin - even if only in the mind - how can the All Holy stand it!!!  Horrible that God should dwell in a temple of sin!  Thus it happens anytime we commit a serious sin, God must leave; indeed, He must leave because we have evicted Him in preference to a passing pleasure of sin.  Moreover, even a freely committed venial sin, a rash judgement, an immodest look, an uncharitable word,... presents a shabby dwelling for such a King.  

If we but knew more intimately the divine Guest we house surely we would sin less often, remove occasions of sin with more care, pray more regularly, read more devoutly, ... in short, if we knew with more reality that He is present, quietly working my salvation, I should be much more sensitive to His gentle inspirations, and already be a saint. 

May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Spirit.