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Baptists/Difference between holy spirit and conscience
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Question
I would like to know the difference between Holy spirit and conscience?
Hi Gabriel,
As you know, Christianity is a very diverse religion and there are a great many views on this issue we could discuss.
You asked this question in the Baptist section however, so I'll answer from that perspective.
Simply stated, "conscience" is our inner sense of right and wrong. It is an inward knowing.
The Holy Ghost is God.
What can make this confusing is that we often refer to the Holy Spirit as though He were a feeling ("can you feel the Holy Spirit in this").
To give a bit more depth to this answer consider the following:
According to Baptists (and most Christians) there is one God Who is known/manifested in three separate and co-equal "Persons" as Father, Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is therefore seen as "God" just as Jesus and God the Father are "God." This view of God's Tri-unity is called the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit is an individual, eternal part of the Trinity.
"Consciousness" on the other hand is the awareness that exists within each "conscious" being. When we say "I" we know "I" exists through our "consciousness," our awareness. As the philosopher said, "I think therefore I am."
The Holy Spirit is fully "conscious," but the Holy Spirit is not "consciousness." He has consciousness.
Now, "conscience" is the way in which "consciousness" communicates with us. If I do something wrong I will feel a sense of guilt from my conscience. The Holy Spirit may use my "conscience" to discipline or direct me.
Hope this clarifies matters for you,
If not, write back any time,
~John of AllFaith
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Answers by Expert:
John of AllFaith
Expertise
Baptists hold certain unique understandings as well as the "fundamentals of the faith" held by most other denominations. Harmonious with the essential Baptist doctrine known as the Priesthood of all Believers, some Baptists are very conservative (such as Jerry Falwell and Fred Phelps) while others are quite liberal (such as Jesse Jackson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr). For help understanding Baptist and other biblical issues, drop me a line. I can also shed light on questions that are often considered "sensitive." Ask me anything and I'll do my best to share what I know.
Experience
I have a lot of experience in this area. I've studied the Holy Scriptures for over 40 years. I hold a Missionary Baptist ordination as well as one from Calvary Chapel. I was a missionary in Central America for a while, an avid street minister and have preached in many churches, on the radio and so on. I also have an MA Religious Studies from JFK University as well as other pieces of paper. The only ordination that really matters comes from God of course.
While I am no longer a Baptist I can answer any question anyone is likely to have from a Baptist perspective.
My personal beliefs are now more accurately described as Messianic or Noahide Nazarene. If you are interested in this perspective just ask.
Organizations
My current beliefs are best described as Noahide Nazarene. These beliefs can be considered at my web site: http://allfaith.com/Religions/Noahide
Education/Credentials
Education/Credentials
Three Christian ordinations (Baptist, Calvary Chapel and from an independent Christian Church), an MA in Religious Studies, an ordination in Ministry and Spiritual Counseling from the Interfaith Seminaries, 41 plus years of sincere seeking and 13 years answering questions and posting studies online.
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