Holy Spirit
TheologyThe nature and role of the Holy Spirit — whether the Spirit is a person, a force, or a mode of God's activity, and the Spirit's work in believers.
Key scriptures: Acts 2:1-4, John 14:26, Romans 8:26-27, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Catholic (5)
Eastern Catholic (Byzantine Rite)
Nuanced
Spirit proceeds from the Father; Filioque omitted in most Eastern liturgies
Maronite Catholic
Affirms
Spirit proceeds from Father and Son; Filioque accepted through Latinization
Old Catholic Church
Affirms
Personal third person; divine attributes; sacramental presence; sanctification
Roman Catholic
Affirms
Third Person of the Trinity; proceeds from Father and Son (Filioque)
Saint Thomas Christians (Syro-Malabar Church)
Affirms
Fully personal and divine; given through sacraments; Chaldean liturgical presence
Orthodox (5)
Assyrian Church of the East
Affirms
Divine person proceeding from Father; active in sacraments, prayer, and church life
Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
Affirms
Spirit proceeds from the Father alone; Filioque not used
Eastern Orthodox
Affirms
Proceeds from the Father alone; Filioque is a heretical Western innovation
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Affirms
Spirit proceeds from the Father; Filioque not used; invoked in all sacraments
Oriental Orthodox (Miaphysite)
Affirms
Spirit proceeds from the Father alone; Filioque rejected
Mainline Protestant (8)
Anglican / Episcopalian
Affirms
Holy Spirit fully divine; proceeds from Father and Son (Filioque)
Calvinist / Reformed
Affirms
Holy Spirit fully divine; works irresistibly to regenerate the elect
Congregationalist (UCC)
Affirms
Holy Spirit affirmed as God's empowering, guiding presence
Lutheran
Affirms
Holy Spirit is fully divine; works through Word and Sacrament
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Affirms
Personal, divine, coequal with Father and Son; works justification and sanctification
Methodist
Affirms
Holy Spirit fully divine; witness to assurance and agent of holiness
Presbyterian
Affirms
Holy Spirit fully divine; applies redemption efficaciously to the elect
Reformed Church in America
Affirms
Personal divine person; regeneration and sanctification; gifts vary by context
Evangelical (15)
Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention)
Affirms
Third person of the Trinity; indwells believers, convicts, empowers, and gifts
Calvary Chapel
Nuanced
Spiritual gifts continue; tongues not required evidence of Spirit baptism
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Affirms
Personal divine agent; Holy Spirit baptism as subsequent empowerment for sanctification
Christian Reformed Church in North America
Affirms
Third person of the Trinity; applies salvation; sanctifies; gifts the church
Church of the Nazarene
Affirms
Third person of Trinity; Spirit sanctifies believers and empowers the church
Evangelical Covenant Church
Affirms
Personal divine agent; guides and transforms; gifts open to discussion; renewal tradition
Evangelical Free Church of America
Nuanced
Third person of Trinity; gifts continue; cessationism vs. continuationism debated
IFCA International (Independent Fundamental Churches of America)
Affirms
Third person of Trinity; indwells believers at salvation; baptizes into church; cessationist
National Association of Free Will Baptists
Affirms
Third person of the Trinity; sanctifies; indwells believers; gifts the church
Non-denominational Evangelical
Varies
Third person of Trinity; extent of gifts ranges from cessationist to charismatic
Pentecostal (Assemblies of God)
Affirms
Spirit is third person of Trinity; baptism in Spirit evidenced by tongues
Presbyterian Church in America
Affirms
Personal divine third person; regeneration and sanctification; cessationist on gifts
Reformed Baptist Churches (1689 London Baptist Confession)
Affirms
Third person of Trinity; indwelling, regenerating, sanctifying; cessationist on sign gifts
The Wesleyan Church
Affirms
Personal divine agent; sanctifier; gifts continue; witness of Spirit to adoption
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Affirms
Personal, divine, coequal; works regeneration, sanctification, and indwelling believers
Charismatic (5)
Charismatic Movement
Affirms
Holy Spirit gifts continue; Spirit baptism is a normative experience
Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)
Affirms
Personal divine agent; entire sanctification; unites church; gifts continue
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
Affirms
Personal divine third person; baptism of Holy Spirit distinct; tongues as evidence
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
Affirms
Personal divine person; baptism of Spirit with tongues; gifts continue today
Vineyard Churches
Affirms
Holy Spirit is active today; all gifts available; no required sign
Anabaptist (5)
Amish (Old Order)
Affirms
Holy Spirit indwells believers and guides the church in faithfulness
Brethren in Christ Church
Affirms
Personal Holy Spirit; enables sanctification; gifts moderate; cautious on tongues
Church of the Brethren
Affirms
Personal Holy Spirit; guides community; gifts affirmed; ongoing presence in church
Hutterite Brethren
Affirms
Holy Spirit guides, transforms, and enables communal faithful life
Mennonite Church
Affirms
Holy Spirit guides the community, transforms believers, and gifts for service
Adventist & Restorationist (5)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Affirms
Holy Spirit active in the church; specific gift expressions vary
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Nuanced
Personal Spirit; indwelling at baptism; gifts largely ceased; sanctifying work
Churches of Christ
Nuanced
Spirit indwells Christians; miraculous gifts ceased with the apostolic age
International Churches of Christ
Nuanced
Spirit indwells every baptized Christian; miraculous gifts have ceased
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Affirms
Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, active and gifting today
Other Protestant (8)
Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum)
Affirms
Holy Spirit regenerates, sanctifies, and indwells believers.
Plymouth Brethren
Nuanced
Open Brethren vary on cessation; Exclusive Brethren are firmly cessationist.
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Affirms
Inner Light/Light of Christ in every person is core doctrine
Seventh Day Baptist General Conference
Nuanced
Third person of Trinity; indwells believers; gifts vary by congregation
The Salvation Army
Affirms
Affirm Holy Spirit enables sanctification and entire sanctification
True Jesus Church
Affirms
Holy Spirit is God (Jesus); tongues as necessary initial evidence of Spirit
Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
Affirms
Holy Spirit fully personal and divine; all gifts active; distinct post-conversion experience; spiritual warfare focus
Waldensian Church (Chiesa Evangelica Valdese)
Affirms
Third person of Trinity; active in regeneration, sanctification, and guidance
Non-Trinitarian (6)
Biblical Unitarians
Denies
Holy Spirit is God's active power, not a distinct divine person
Christadelphians
Denies
Holy Spirit is God's active power, not a divine person of a Trinity
Church of God General Conference (Abrahamic Faith)
Nuanced
Holy Spirit is God's power and presence; not a third divine person of a Trinity
Jehovah's Witnesses
Denies
Holy Spirit is God's active force, not a person or member of a Trinity
Oneness Pentecostals (UPCI)
Nuanced
Holy Spirit is not a third person; Spirit is God himself present in believers
Unitarian Universalist
Varies
No binding pneumatology; Spirit understood as divine energy, or not referenced
Latter-day Saint (2)
Unique & Independent (7)
Armstrongism (Sabbatarian splinter groups)
Nuanced
Holy Spirit is God's power and mind; not a distinct person
Church of Christ, Scientist
Nuanced
Holy Spirit is divine Science—the Comforter promised by Jesus
General Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian)
Nuanced
Holy Spirit is God's proceeding divine activity from Christ
Iglesia ni Cristo
Nuanced
Holy Spirit is God's power and gift given to faithful; not a distinct person
Message Movement (Branhamism)
Nuanced
Holy Spirit is Christ's presence; not a distinct person; evidenced by tongues
Messianic Judaism
Affirms
Ruach HaKodesh is third person of Godhead; active in charismatic gifts
New Apostolic Church
Nuanced
Fully personal and divine; given through Holy Sealing by Apostle, not charismatic
African Independent (4)
Cherubim and Seraphim Church
Affirms
Holy Spirit fully personal and divine; all spiritual gifts active; central to worship and identity
Church of Jesus Christ on Earth through the Prophet Simon Kimbangu (EJCSK)
Nuanced
Holy Spirit is Simon Kimbangu, the Comforter promised in John 14:16
Redeemed Christian Church of God
Affirms
Personal, divine Third Person; baptism of Spirit evidenced by tongues in many; gifts active
Zion Christian Church
Affirms
Holy Spirit active in healing, prophecy, and deliverance; central to ZCC