How many Holy Spirits are there?

I have always assumed that the Holy Spirit of biblical scripture was a single entity. And yet, I have encountered many professed Christians over the years who insist that their understanding of scripture and of the true will of God has been revealed to them by the Holy Spirit.

Why does the Holy Spirit teach different people different truths?

Some have learned from the Holy Spirit that they are saved by works, while others have learned that they are saved by grace. Some have learned that God abhors all killing, while others have learned that God makes an exception for killing in the case of war. Some have learned that we humans have free will, while others have learned that we lost our free will when Adam and/or Eve committed the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Some have learned that they have received the gift of eternal life through their faith alone, while others have learned that they also require holy sacraments in order to obtain salvation. Some have learned that Jesus will return to Earth to rule over his kingdom for 1000 years, while others have learned that He will not. Some Christians have learned that the only way to escape eternal damnation is through their professed faith in Christ, while others have learned that God has provided alternate paths to salvation for non-Christians.

Is it possible that there are actually many different Holy Spirits, rather than only one?

 

The muslims call things like this Satan Verses.
Clearly, the Holy Spirit is the spirit of Truth inside the head of a person.

People who claim they have been "told" this or that by the Holy Spirit will need compare things to what becomes true later, and maybe re-adjust their thinking.

 

any chance you could answer the question, Dave?

how many holy spirits are there? and if there is only one, why does it tell different people different things? if you claim it's self-manifested (and therefore not from the holy spirit), how does any one person know that the voice in their head is the 'right' one?

suggesting people ought wait and see how things play out is a nice dodge, but no banana

 

?
I thought it was clear that only one Truth exists.

So, if two people have different claims about what is true, and both insist they were "divinely" inspired, one or both is wrong.

 

Which makes your god's system of communication hopelessly unworkable. You'd think a real god would have made sure his emails were clearly identified - given it would be a matter of choice for such a creature. Choosing NOT to make them clear indicates the critter enjoys tormenting those less well endowed in the brainpan. Like an 8 year old boy pulling the wings of flies.

And before you say "god's mysterious ways - unknowable to lowly humans" ad nauseum, consider that some of us would expect a creator god to be a better role model than the outstandingly human, weak, and fallible creature you guys dreamed up.

 

Anyone who spends even a few moments reading the output of the woosters, understands that there are as many gods, or holy spirits, or other supernatural entities as there are people who believe in them. No more and no less, no two alike. Cupid dave is exactly correct for once -- "the Holy Spirit is the spirit of Truth inside the head of a person." Every head is different.

 

Wow. Ole Dave ought to be feeling really honored about now... I mean after all the bickering, he finally won the admiration and respect of one of his opponents.

Now considering that several others have weighed in on this topic it is now my turn.

There are many spirits that are 'holy', however there is only one Holy Spirit. There are also numerous unholy spirits... a few of them are manifesting through the personalities on this forum.

 

hehehe .... I love that you suggest EEEEVIL spirits are possessing some of us. If I was of a superstitious nature, I might agree with ya (cough ....wanren .... cough)

 

Oh you have a fascination about other male members of the forum?

 

Do you have a link to prove your claim?
What exactly is an 'unholy spirit'? And how many is numerous?

 

What claim?

An "unholy spirit" is a spirit that is not classified as 'holy'.

TNTC. (too numerous to count)

 

Wanren was no doubt an evil spirit. Good thing the sock was stifled as unholy spirits aren't welcome here.

 

Yours, of course. And there is only one of my spirits as well.

 

Why not be honest and just say NO.

What is 'holy'?

 

Why say "no" to something that is not described?
do you know how to use a dictionary?

 

Well, you see, the Holy Spirit is not my property as I have no ownership rights. In the 'Bible' there is a story of a man who had a 'legion' of spirits within him.. are you sure that yours is just one?

 

you're backed into a tight corner there, Incspot.

 

I have never encountered a tight corner. What is it like?

 

It's almost like God should have sent Himself in human form to be a model of the Scriptures.


Oh wait. Jesus.

 

if you start saying things like "there are legion holy spirits, both clean and unclean" or whatever it was you said, you should be prepared for an onslaught of questions. it was very apparent that you weren't prepared, and got a little peevish.

even you, who spends much time amongst the dreadful heathens and therefore more accustomed than most Christians to challenges, are still labouring under the burden of inadequate, and frequently contradictory, information. is it an wonder that those of us who want clear and straight answers never seem to get any!

 

If you cannot quote me in what I stated, then it is obvious that you are not prepared to discuss what you are talking about. IMHO... the reason you and others don't get what you are allegedly looking for, is because of your attitudes.... your rush to ridicule,, your insane agenda to belittle others... and then you want to complain about not getting answers.. What a joke that is .

 

hey, that's a bit harsh! I'm way more polite to you than I need to be (and considerably more so than some of my fellows, I might add, who've given up on you entirely). you owe me a beer, stet.

 

I don't even owe you the time of day.

 

There is one Holy Spirit. Jesus knows us and we know him. We know His voice. Whether we be Amish, Southern Baptist, Catholic or Charismatic. To be a Christian at its base...is simple and the Holy Spirit is there for those who are Christian.

 

that's a lot of claim!

how do you know it's jesus talking? please be precise, since it's acknowledged by your kith that there are tricky spirits out there, causing head havoc.