The Filioque: the Holy Spirit's procession
Many classical Protestant churches inherited the Western Creed with the Filioque. Protestant traditions are not uniform about its wording or interpretation, and they do not share one magisterial account of procession.
Historical context
The Creed of Constantinople (381) says the Spirit proceeds from the Father. A later Latin addition, 'and the Son,' became a major East–West dispute.
Tradition note
The lab compares Orthodox and Catholic dogmatic formulations; Protestant mode uses the Western wording as historical background, not as a universal Protestant definition.
Scripture
- John 14:26 — Jesus says the Father will send the Advocate in his name to teach and remind the disciples.
- John 15:26 — Jesus says he will send the Advocate from the Father and calls the Spirit the one who proceeds from the Father.
- John 16:7 — Jesus says his departure makes way for the Advocate, whom he will send to the disciples.
Primary sources
The Anglican Articles state:
Anglican Article V supplies one classical Protestant confession of procession from Father and Son and of the Spirit's full divinity.
The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son
Passage context and translation
Article V supplies one classical Anglican statement of the Filioque and the Spirit's full divinity. It is not a universal Protestant magisterial definition.
Before the excerpt
Article IV. Of the Resurrection of Christ.
After the excerpt
Article VI. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.