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Roman Catechism
ARTICLE VIII: “I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GHOST”
IMPORTANCE OF THIS ARTICLE
Hitherto we have expounded, as far as the nature of the subject seemed to require, what pertains to the First and Second Persons of the Holy Trinity. It now remains to explain what the Creed contains with regard to the Third Person, the Holy Ghost.
On this subject the pastor should omit nothing that study and industry can effect; for on this Article, no less than on those that preceded, ignorance or error would be unpardonable in a Christian. Hence, the Apostle did not permit some among the Ephesians to remain in ignorance with regard to the Person of the Holy Ghost. Having asked if they had received the Holy Ghost, and having received for answer that they did not so much as know that there was a Holy, Ghost, he at once demanded: In whom, therefore, were you baptised?1 to signify that a distinct knowledge of this Article is most necessary to the faithful.
From such knowledge they derive special fruit. For, considering attentively that whatever they have, they possess through the bounty and beneficence of the Holy Spirit, they begin to think more modestly and humbly of themselves, and to place all their hopes in the protection of God, which for a Christian is the first step towards consummate wisdom and supreme happiness.
1. Acts 19:2