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Edited from previous online work:
Nicene Creed section
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;and we look for the resurrection of the dead,and the life of the world to come. Amen.
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In traditional and ancient Western Theology, Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions the Holy Spirit is understood as proceeding from both the Father and the Son.
Proceeding from: FILIOQUE-Pronounced FILLY O QUE or QAY (LATIN)
G.W. Bromiley states that the term ‘and from the Son' was not in the original 325 Nicene Creed or 381 Constantinople Creeds and was likely added to the Third Council of Toledo of 589. It was officially endorsed in 1017. Bromiley (1996: 415).
It did, in the minds of some historical commentators, in part, led to a split between the Western and Eastern Churches with the Eastern Churches rejecting it. Split in 1054. Both God the Father and God the Son sent the Holy Spirit in John 15: 26. Bromiley further mentions that the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Christ (Son in Galatians) in Romans 8: 9 and Galatians 4: 6 which both support the same idea.
From ‘New Advent and The Catholic Encylopedia’ online edited by Kevin Knight, they call it double procession from the Father whereas typically Eastern/Orthodox churches will hold to views that the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father. They express the view that this was as well confirmed at the Third Council of Toledo in 589. Knight (2012). Council of Toledo 589 Spain Councils started at 400 At 589 the King and council supported the Filioque clause.
Personally, I hold to the Protestant position, not primarily because I am Reformed but because of the Biblical text. I do not think this places Orthodox Eastern Christians in the category of cultic (outside of the faith) on this point. But I do I think it is error. Something to ponder on as in the ‘why I am Protestant category.’ who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are all worshipped and glorified.
Boice explains that the Spirit is a person because He has knowledge, feelings and will and this is what is stated of God the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Boice (1981: 376). Boice further explains that the definition of the Holy Spirit as Counselor (Helper ESV) in John 14 from Christ is certainly that of one person describing another. Boice (1981: 376).
Following are some key examples where God the Holy Spirit is demonstrated as being fully God in glory as are the Father and Son. We have noted that Holy Spirit is sent by the Father and Son is John 15. The Holy Spirit as God is of course equally part of the Baptism formula at the ending of Matthew (28: 19). Acts 2 and Pentecost we see the Holy Spirit is given to the Church along with manifestations in many Biblical cases. The arrival of the Counselor as God the Son promised.
The disciples received the Holy Spirit in John 20: 22 post resurrection. Acts 5 lying to the Holy Spirit equals lying to God. Ananias and Sapphira. who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church; Not the Roman Catholic Church in context which evolved in time, but the universal Church of the triune God in Christ that has been delivered through the Apostles of Christ such as Peter, John, James and Paul. The Holy Spirit of course spoke through the Prophets, Apostles and Scribes in the development of the Old and New Testaments.
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BOICE, JAMES, MONTGOMERY (1981) Foundations of the Christian Faith, Downers Grove, IVP Press.
BROMILEY, G.W. (1996) ‘Filioque’ in Walter A. Elwell (ed.) Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
HANSON, Rev./Dr. B.B.M.J. Mackenzie-Hanson (2005-2006), Arian/Arianism
http://www.arian-catholic.org/arian/arianism.html
KNIGHT, KEVIN (2012) Filioque, New York, New Advent.
SLICK, MATTHEW J. (2012) Arianism, Nampa, Indiana, Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. Bibliography.
