Christian Message Boards: New here--A question !

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Posted by Just Passing Through (Member # 1864) on :

Is there a difference in Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost ?

Posted by wonderful_sky (Member # 1808) on :

Hi Gail! To answer your question, the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are the same. I believe from what I have found that the difference is in the translation of the Bible that you have. The Holy Ghost is used in KJV (King James Version) While Holy Spirit in used in the NIV(New International Version) and American Standard translations. For instance:
NIV TRANSLATION
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18
KJV TRANSLATION
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18

As you can tell, the same verse, pretty much the same wording, both referring to whow Mary became pregnant. So, hope that helps. Thanks for the question and hope the answer satisfies.
In His Continual Service,
Sky [dance]

Posted by Gary (Member # 523) on :

Hi Gail,

Sky's right.

Not just the NIV, but pretty much all the newer translations use the word "Spirit". Back when the KJV was translated, the English language was much different than it is today, and so the word "ghost" was used for pretty much anything of a spiritual essence. Today, we picture a ghost as something quite different than the Holy Spirit, and so the new translations of the scriptures reflect this difference.

(You might be interested to know that there are some 800 words in the KJV that have radically different meanings in today's English. To me this shows the importance of the continual and careful updating of the translation.)

Gary