Bible Discussion Thread

Is there a difference between the holy ghost and the spirit of God?

Felix, there is no difference in those names. The word "Ghost" essentially means 'Spirit'; so it's just another way of referring to God's Holy Spirit.

Who is Christ?

(Rest of comment). Thus Jesus Christ = The Saviour Who is Anointed. Only Jesus could be given this Name & Title together: no one else could ever fill this role of giving of His Life for the sins of mankind. Even though, the word 'Yeshua' or Joshua, is the Hebrew word for 'Jesus", a Joshua of any period of time could never have the 'Christos' attached to his name. So, Jesus Christ is referred to as the Son of the Living God. We know that God is One & is a Spirit Being, so He can't bear offspring; so by offering of Himself for the payment of mankind's sins (as man can't pay at all for his sin), He sent forth His Word ( Jn 1:1-14) clothed in humanity for our sakes. Need more info?

Need more info on that subject you are talking about

(third comment): So those early sacrifices were only a shadow of the Perfect, Sinless, Lamb of God (Jesus Christ); i.e. an animal's death could never fully atone as a substitutionary payment for sin - it was only temporary till God's provision of HIS Lamb. (see Heb 9:6-28 for this). So Jesus, the Lamb of God (God's Word) became our substitution in death & our separation from God for all eternity. If Jesus had not come we would all go to hell & deserving of it. But "in due time" ( Rom 5:6), He came to give His Life on our behalf, so for ALL WHO BELIEVE, they would not perish in hell but have everlasting life ( Jn 3:16). But if Jesus remained dead in the tomb, then we would have no worthwhile sacrifice & we would still be guilty of our sins. But we know, that Jesus rose from the dead showing His Victory over the power of death & Satan, & God accepted His payment for our sins & so justified us ( Rom 4:25). Justification = Just as if we had never sinned. This only can come through Jesus.

(from previous comment No 1). You may know that in the Old Testament, God's people, the Israelites (Jews), had to perform various sacrifices, along with observance of days & various other instructions (see Book of Exodus & Leviticus). Normally, payment for our sin (any sin) against God is death, but in His Mercy, God instituted these sacrifices and given to remind the people that for their sin, they had to make offerings by sacrificing an unblemished animal (lambs, bulls, sheep, doves, etc.) to God. The priests did this on behalf of the people. God accepted their sacrifice but we know that this system was temporal until the appearing of God's Gift of His Word made human ( Jn 1:14). (see next comment No 3).

Felix, so I've given you the meaning of Jesus Christ's Name & His incarnation (i.e. Word of God coming to Earth as a man to give God's Message & to give His Life for man's sins). You ask for more info, but you don't mention specifics. So I'll write further: Many people of different religions understand that Christians believe in three gods because they don't understand (& we ourselves can't fully comprehend the mystery of Almighty God). But in the Bible, God has shown us Himself throughout the ages as only One God ( Isaiah 43-45 often mentions God speaking as being only One). But God has revealed that He brings forth Commands & Words for His people, & He also sends out His Spirit to do His bidding on Earth (e.g. empower the prophets to prophesy, to direct worship to God, to work miracles, etc). So this is ONE God, but revealed to us in His Fullness: God, His Word & His Spirit. If one aspect of God is missing, then God wouldn't be God. (see next comment).

Felix, I'm unsure whether you want to know more about the One called Christ, or the origin of the name. So, the latter first, the word Christ is Christos in Greek; & Masiah (Messiah) in Hebrew & both mean, "one who is anointed". Jesus, of course, means "he who delivers/rescues; Mt 1:21 "He shall SAVE His people from their sins". (Rest of this comment next)

Thank you Chris