Free E-Mail
Bible Studies

Beginning the Journey (for new Christians).
en Español
1, 2, and 3 John
1
& 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
1 Peter
2 Peter, Jude
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
7 Last Words of Christ
Abraham
Acts 1-12:
The Early Church
Apostle Paul
Christmas Incarnation
Church
Christ Powered Life (Rom 5-8)
Colossians
Conquering Lamb of Revelation
Daniel
David, Life of
Galatians
Gideon
Grace
Great Prayers
Glorious Kingdom, The
Early Church: Acts1-12
Elijah
Ephesians
Hebrews
Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
Isaiah
James
Jacob
Jesus and the Kingdom
John's Gospel
John's Letters
Joshua
Lamb of God
Listening for God's Voice
Lord's Supper
Luke
Mark
Moses
Names of God
Names of Jesus
Philippians
Psalms
Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
Resurrection
Revelation
Sermon on the Mount
Songs of Ascent
(Ps 120-135)
Christian Art
About Us
Speaking
Contact Us
Dr. Wilson's Books
Donations
Watercolors
Sitemap
![]() Paolo Veronese (Calairi, 1528-1588), 'The Eternal Father' (oil on canvas), Hospital Tavera, Toledo, Spain. |
In the Farewell Discourses, Jesus is clear that the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, will be sent after his death, resurrection, and ascension. One of the questions that has divided Christians historically is who will send the Spirit -- the Father or Jesus. Look at the passages in question:
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor...." (14:16)
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name...." (14:26a)
"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father...." (15:26)
"Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." (16:7b)
In a related passage from Luke, Jesus says at his ascension:
"I am going to send you what my Father has promised...." (Luke 24:49)
There is no real conflict, since Jesus and the Father are one in purpose and action. It is common to attribute an action to the authorizing authority, not to those who implement the action. For example, Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist -- that is, he authorized it, but he didn't perform the act itself (Mark 6:16). It is said that Solomon built the temple, but didn't do the labor himself (1 Kings 6:2).
As simple as this might seem, this issue has divided the Western Church from the Eastern Church for nearly two thousand years. The issue involves the term filoque, Latin for "and (from) the Son."
The original Greek version of the Nicene Creed, adopted by the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, and amended by the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD reads:
"And [we believe] in the Holy Ghost,
the Lord and Giver-of-Life,
who proceeds[1006] from the Father,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified...."
However, the Western version, used in the West since the sixth century, and adopted by the Pope in 1014 AD (without agreement by the Eastern Church), reads:
"And [we believe] in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the
giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified...."
![]() Entire study is available in paperback, Kindle, and PDF formats. |
In other words, the Western version says the Holy Spirit comes forth from the Father and the Son, while the Eastern version affirms only that the Holy Spirit comes forth from the Father.
Though the issue of papal primacy and stubborn pride are the main cause for the schism between the Eastern and Western Churches in 1054 AD, the issue of the filoque has contributed to the conflict, and is an obstacle to modern attempts at reunification.
[1006] The word "proceeds" or "proceedeth" in the Nicene Creed is taken from John 15:26, and is a translation of the Greek verb ekporeuomai, "to come forth from, come/go out, proceed" (BDAG 308, 2).
Copyright © 2023, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.
![]() |
![]() |
In-depth Bible study books
You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format.
- 28 Advent Scriptures
- 1, 2, and 3 John
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter & Jude
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians
- 1 & 2 Timothy
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Apostle Paul
- Abraham, Faith of
- Christ Powered Life (Romans 5-8)
- Christmas Incarnation
- Colossians and Philemon
- Conquering Lamb of Revelation
- Daniel
- David, Life of
- Early Church: Acts 1-12
- Elijah
- Ephesians
- Galatians
- Gideon
- Glorious Kingdom, The
- Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
- Great Prayers of the Bible
- Hebrews
- Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
- Isaiah
- Jacob, Life of
- James
- Jesus and the Kingdom of God
- JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
- John's Gospel
- Joshua
- Lamb of God
- Listening for God's Voice
- Lord's Supper
- Luke's Gospel
- Moses the Reluctant Leader
- Names and Titles of God
- Names and Titles of Jesus
- Philippians
- Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
- Resurrection and Easter Faith
- Sermon on the Mount
- Psalms
- Seven Last Words of Christ
- Songs of Ascent (Ps 120-134)
- Revelation
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |