“We believe and confess also, that the Holy Ghost, from eternity, proceeds from the Father and Son; and therefore neither is 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.”
I. The Holy Ghost as the third person of the Holy Trinity:
A. Proceeds from Father and Son:
1. He proceeds:
a. He is not begotten, is not another Son, but personally distinct from the Son and from the Father.
b. His personal property is expressed in the name “Spirit”. He Is “breathed forth” and proceeds from the Father and the Son.
2. Double procession:
a. This is emphasized in the article: He proceeds from both, the Father and the Son (not as two Spirits, but as one Spirit, proceeding from the Father to the Son, and from the Son to the Father).
b. The doctrine led to an early schism between the Eastern and the Western Church, the former denying, the latter maintaining the double procession. The denial, leads to separation of the work of the Father and of the Son.
3. Scriptural proof for this doctrine: John 14:26; 15:26: the Father and the Son send forth the Comforter. John 14:23: In the Spirit the Father and the Son make their abode with us.
B. Is a Person:
1. In order the third person of the Holy Trinity:
a. Not third in time, nor in majesty and glory;
b. But in order, because He eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son.
2. And is a person:
a. Not a mere power or effluence, as those that deny the truth of the Trinity would have it.
b. But a distinct person.
3. Scriptural proof: personal properties and acts are ascribed to Him in the Bible: John 16:8, 13; I Corinthians 2:10; Ephesians 4:30; II Corinthians 13:13; Acts 13:2; Romans 8:26, 27, etc.
C. Is very God:
1. Thus in the article:
a. True and eternal God;
b. Of the same essence, majesty and glory with the Father and the Son.
2. Proof for this doctrine: He is called God, worshipped as God, honored as God, and divine works are ascribed to Him.
II. The Holy Ghost as the Spirit of Christ:
A. Given to Christ:
1. The article does not speak of the Spirit as the Spirit of Christ. By this we mean:
a. The Holy Ghost.
b. As He was given to Christ.
c. And dwells in the Church.
2. This according to Scripture:
a. John 7:39: He was not yet.
b. Acts 2:33: Christ received the promise of the Spirit.
B. As the Spirit of salvation:
1. By His Spirit Christ dwells in the Church. Poured out on the Day of Pentacost; abides with her forever.
2. And makes her partaker of the spiritual blessings of grace and salvation in Him.