Holy Ghost vs Holy Spirit

Holy Ghost vs Holy Spirit is a good comparison as these two terms — with different meanings — are used to refer to the same person who is the third person in Trinity, the 3rd triune God, also known as God the Holy Spirit in the old testament.

Sooner than later, I will show you that these two terms, Holy Ghost vs Holy Spirit, mean the different things. I will prove that to you by stating the different times these terms were used in the Bible.

The reason people focus on this comparison between Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit is because some Bible versions used both Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit in different Bible verses while several other Bible versions used only Holy Spirit to refer to the 3rd triune God.

For instance, King James Version (kjv) used both terms, Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit. However, in their new version, known as New King James Version (nkjv), they used only the term Holy Spirit. Not one single word Holy Ghost is used in the new King James version Bible. 

Notably, the only time the word ghost appeared in the Bible was when the disciples saw Jesus walking on water. 

At first, they thought they had seen a ghost as no one had ever walked on water. 

And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;

for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Mark 6:49-50

Onward, this particular comparison between the Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit will help everyone understand the differences that exist between them. 

Holy Ghost, As A Word, Is Wrong And Incorrect

To buttress your understanding on this comparison, Holy Ghost vs Holy Spirit, let me state and remind you of the dictionary meaning of a ghost. 

According to the online dictionary found on Google, a ghost is an apparition of the dead. 

According to the Cambridge dictionary, a ghost is the Spirit of the dead.

Also, according to the Collins dictionary, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person.

From all the dictionary definitions or meanings given above, you should be able to deduce that ghost has something to do with the dead. In fact, the word ghost cannot be separated from the word dead most especially when talking or writing about the comparison between the Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit.

If a ghost then means an appearance of the dead, then it can never be used for God as God can never die. More so, God has never been dead at one time or another. 

In respect to the above statement, when God wanted to die for the sins of the whole world, he had to come inform of man, in the person of Jesus the Son of God. Of course, he died and resurrected on the 3rd day.

Since God can not die or has never been dead, it is then wrong to refer to his Spirit as Ghost even when the word Holy is used alongside with it. 

Holy Ghost vs Holy Spirit Comparison According To The Greek Bible 

Both the word Ghost and Spirit are used in the Greek Bible. Just as these words mean different things in dictionary, so do they mean different thing in the Greek Bible.

The word Ghost in the Greek Bible is Phantasma (Φάντασμα) while the word Spirit is Pneuma (πνεῦμα). 

The word Phantasma mean an appearance of the dead while the word Pneuma mean the non-physical part of a person. 

If you take a second look at the meaning of ghost given in the preceding paragraph, you will discover that the Greek meaning is the same thing as the meaning given by all of the dictionary I cited earlier.

In other words, both the Greek Bible and Popular dictionaries relate anything ghost with the dead. Therefore, the spirit of God cannot be called Holy “Ghost” as it will mean the holy appearance of the dead. 

Ghost Appearance Brings About Fear While Spirit Manifestation Surprises One

And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;

for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Mark 6:49-50

As you read above, the apostles of Jesus trembled with fear when they saw Jesus walking on water. Normally, the presence of Jesus would never scare them, but this time around they were afraid because his presence appeared to be that of the dead. 

So as to make you understand the Holy Ghost vs Holy Spirit comparison better, now read the scripture below and compare it to the one above.

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 

3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 

6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 

7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?

Acts 2:1-7

Unlike the previous Bible verse, Mark 6:59-50, that showed fear as a result of the appearance of Jesus which was mistook for a ghost, this very one, Acts 2:1-7, revealed the reaction of people after they saw the manifestation of a spirit, in the person of God the Holy Spirit. They were simply surprised at the action of the disciples of Jesus after the Holy Spirit came upon them. 

Had it been the incident revealed the appearance of the dead — otherwise known as ghost — they would all have taken to their heels. Therefore, we can rightly conclude Holy Spirit is the right word for God the Holy Spirit and not Holy Ghost, which means the holy appearance of the dead.