What is the difference between the Holy Spirit and angels? Is it okay to pray to the Holy Spirit?
There is a vast difference between the Holy Spirit and angels, for the Holy Spirit IS GOD (and thus the Creator) and angels ARE CREATURES (who were created by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). Let’s consider some scriptures, starting with the Holy Spirit.
*Acts 5:3-4 reads, “Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to LIE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT…you have not lied to men but to GOD’” (NKJV). The Holy Spirit is GOD!
*Hebrews 9:14 says, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the ETERNAL SPIRIT offered Himself without spot God, cleanse your conscience from death works to serve the living God.” The Holy Spirit is ETERNAL!
*Luke 1:35 states, “The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the POWER OF THE HIGHEST will overshadow you’.” The Holy Spirit is OMNIPOTENT!
*1st Corinthians 2:10-11 declare, “The Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God…no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” The Holy Spirit is OMNISCIENT!
*Psalm 139:7 reads, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I fell from Your presence?” The Holy Spirit is OMNIPRESENT!
Here are the some scriptures that deal with the WORK of the Holy Spirit…in CREATION (Psalm 104:30); in REVELATION (2nd Peter 1:21; 1st Corinthians 2:13); in REGENERATION (Titus 3:5; John 3:5); in INTERCESSION (Romans 8:26-27). His work in the believer is seen in His BAPTISM (Acts 1:5; 1st Corinthians 12:13); His INDWELLING (John 14:17; 1st Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9); His SEALING (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30); His FILLING (Ephesians 5:18; Acts 4:8, 31; 6:5; 7:55); His TEACHING (John 14:26; 16:13; 1st John 2:20, 27).
As to angels, they are CREATED BEINGS and were created to glorify God and to serve Him. Here are some scriptures that teach us what their roles are.
*Isaiah 6:1-3 state, “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne…above it stood SERAPHIM; each had six wings…and one cried to the another and said; ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory’.” Angels are WORSHIPPERS!
*Daniel 9:21-22 say, “While I was speaking in prayer, the man GABRIEL…being caused to fly swiftly, reached me…and he informed me, and talked with me, and said, ‘O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.” Angels are MESSENGERS! (see also Luke 1:26-33).
*Hebrews 1:7 & 14 declare, “And of the angels He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire…are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Angels are SERVANTS!
*Revelation 8:2 & 15:1 read, “I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets…I saw…seven angels having the seven last plagues.” Angels are EXECUTORS OF GOD’S JUDGMENTS.
Regarding “praying to the Holy Spirit,” there is not one example of this in all of Scripture. Prayer is usually directed to God the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus (see John 14:13-14 with 16:23-24), though it is not wrong to pray directly to the Lord Jesus (see Acts 7:59-60). The Holy Spirit is here to glorify the Father and the Son, and thus He doesn’t bring attention to Himself (see John 16:13-14; Philippians 3:3 and 1st John 1:3). (271.9) (DO)