THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY GHOST
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”~ 1 Cor. 13:14
This beloved and blessed Apostolic Benediction has been used by the Church throughout these long ages. In it we find Paul honoring the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: the great THREE-IN-ONE, referred to by many as the Trinity.
Among the Evangelical and Fundamental movements I find no lack of preaching and teaching on the first two; the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God. But, personally, I have heard very little in the past sixty-five years on the last of the three mentioned; “The communion of the Holy Ghost.”
Many seem embarrassed by the term, Holy Ghost, equating it with the Pentecostals, rather than the Word of God, resulting in their refusal to use the phrase. Even the translators change it. But the man on the street knows its meaning, so ask him! His or her reply would simply be, “A ghost is the spirit of a dead man." In our case it is the Spirit of a man who was dead. In reference to the Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit, they’re used interchangeably in the New Testament.
Nor do we need to bother ourselves going to the Greek, Hebrew, or English for the root meaning of communion. Paul plainly defines it in 2 Cor.6:14 as being yoked together, having fellowship with one another.
It is doubtful you will ever know much about Jesus until you’re well acquainted with Him, the Holy Ghost. The Lord told His disciples, “He (the Holy Ghost) shall glorify me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
Do you know the Holy Ghost? The disciple did, Jesus testified to this fact, “...the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (Jn. 14:17)
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”~ Lk. 11:13
by an Old Disciple
Hope that was a general statement. I am a Baptist and have known Him for 65 years.
Right on, my brother. I am a Baptist and have know Him for 65 years.