The Bible shows us that there was always a belief in ghosts. Some people think that ghosts are contrary to Christianity. I have even heard people say it is impossible for there to be ghosts because after we die we are judged. They quote Hebrews 9:27 which states “And in as much as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” I would like to point out that he does not say how long after death this will be. If you read Acts 1:7 it states “He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”

As a being created by God we are given the gift of free will that may also continue after we die. The choice to go into the light and be judged or to wander may be a God gift given as well. We learn in 1 Tim 2: 3, 4 that God desires all men to be saved. “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” How does anyone know for certain that through death and before judgment God has no other plans for any particular soul?

Old Testament

Saul had a medium conjure up the ghost of Samuel
I Samuel 28:15,
And Samuel saith to Saul, Why hast thou troubled me, to bring me up?

Job encounters a ghost
Job 4:14-17
Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

New Testament

The disciples believed Jesus was a ghost. Jesus does not say they do not exist
Matthew 14:25-27
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.

Saints manifested after the resurrection
Matthew 27:52-53
The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Jesus manifested from the invisible to the visible in the same way as an apparition and they didn’t recognise him
Mark 16:12
…to two of them, as they are going into a field, walking, he was manifested in another form.

Saints manifested as well as Jesus spoke with the dead
Mark 9:4,
and there appeared to them, Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus

The disciples believed Jesus was a ghost and he said he was not like a ghost. Again they are not told they do not exist
Luke 24:39
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.

We must test the spirits
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..

We do not die
1 Corinthians 15:51
Behold, I will tell you a mystery; We shall not all sleep but we shall be changed.

After we die we are still open to the word of God
1 Peter 3 19
in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison