[audio:https://redeemertheologicalacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/The-Holy-Spirit-Proceeds-from-the-Father-and-the-Son.mp3|titles=The-Holy-Spirit-Proceeds-from-the-Father-and-the-Son]
The Holy Spirit Proceeds from the Father and the Son
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Jesus says, “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27 (NKJV) After hearing such a passage, the question may arise, “Why do some churches say that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father” while other churches say that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son”?
[audio:https://redeemertheologicalacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/The-Holy-Spirit-Proceeds-from-the-Father-and-the-Son.mp3|titles=The-Holy-Spirit-Proceeds-from-the-Father-and-the-Son]
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The Holy Spirit Proceeds from the Father and the Son
Study Questions- The Holy Spirit Proceeds from the Father and the Son
The real issue is not about finding a “proof text” that says, “the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son.” Instead, the issue at hand is whether the Western way or the Eastern way brings more clarity to the confession that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are coessential, that is, of the same divine essence. The Western way was to say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. The Eastern way was to say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son. Neither side quoted a “proof text” for their expression of the doctrine of Blessed Holy Trinity. Let us be clear. Jesus says, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26–27, ESV) The passage neither says, “proceeds from the Father and the Son” nor does it say, “proceeds from the Father through the Son.” The issue is not about misquoting this passage.