Paraclete

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For the school of Peter Abelard, see Oratory of the Paraclete.

Paraclete comes from the Greek word Template:Polytonic meaning "one who consoles" or "one who intercedes on our behalf", which first appears in the Gospel of John (16:7). Christian theology afterwards identified Paraclete with the Holy Spirit. The word appears only a few times in Greek New Testament manuscripts and using the Roman alphabet is rendered "parakletos".

Christ is quoted in the New Testament using this word; in John 14:26 the greek word parakletos is used as an alternative term for "Holy Spirit". Yet in I John 2:1 "parakletos" is used again this time in reference to Christ.

Paraclete is important to Christians because it sheds much light on the nature of God and Christ and the Holy Spirit and brings into question the concept of the Trinity, often a source of great confusion. The Holy Spirit, or Paraclete, is the third person of the Holy Trinity. The Paraclete is also called the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter and the Supporter as it is the Paraclete who comes alongside the Christian to provide guidance, consolation and support throughout life’s journey.

Montanus (2nd Century?) claimed to be the promised paraclete of John 14:16.

Islam (7th Century) claims Muhammad is the Paraclete promised by Jesus. The Greek "periklutos" can be translated as "Ahmad", which is another name used to refer to Muhammad in the Qur'an.

"And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of an Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad. But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, this is evident sorcery!" (Sura 61:6)

Some Christians believe that Jesus was himself the second paraclete and returned after his death to indwell his followers as a spiritTemplate:Citation needed. He himself indicates that the second Paraclete would be "another" so this implies not himself. Since the Paraclete is called the Spirit of Truth it may be one of the seven angels (spirits) that stand before the Throne of God. The word itself implies an aggressive lawyer who defends the saints and prosecutes the world system Template:Citation needed.

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