Who is the Holy Spirit?

"But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me…" (John 16:7-9)          

There are many misconceptions about the identity of the Holy Spirit.  Some view the Holy Spirit as a mystical force.  Others understand the Holy Spirit as the impersonal power that God makes available to followers of Christ.   

What does the Bible say about the identity of the Holy Spirit? Simply put, the Bible declares that the Holy Spirit is God.  The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will.

The Holy Spirit is also the third Person of the Trinity, and probably the least understood member of the Godhead.  Christians can easily identify with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit, however, without a body and a personal name, seems distant to many.  For additional study on the Trinity go Here.

It’s difficult for many to grasp the fact that the Holy Spirit is a Him, not an “it.”  And throughout the Bible we see that the Holy Spirit has existed through all eternity.  In the Old Testament, He is referred to as the Spirit, the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of the Lord.  

He participated in creation with the Father and Son where He first appeared in the second verse of the Bible, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)   He filled the prophets with the Word of God, assisted Jesus and the apostles in their mission, and inspired the men who wrote the Bible. 

He gave spiritual gifts for strengthening the body of Christ.  And He dwells inside every true believer, and is a constant companion in the walk of faith; counseling and encouraging Christians as they battle the temptations of the world and the forces of Satan.

In the New Testament we see the Holy Spirit described as a “mighty rushing wind.”  And of His coming upon the disciples as “tongues of fire.” (See Acts 2:1-4)  And at the baptism of Jesus, we read about His “descending as a dove.” (See Luke 3:22)  The Holy Spirit caused the Virgin Mary to conceive. (See Matthew 1:20)  And Jesus also commanded His followers to baptize people “in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.” (See Matthew 28:19-20)

The Holy Spirit also performs a function for non-Christians as well.  He convicts people's hearts of God's truth concerning how sinful we are and our need of God's forgiveness, how righteous Jesus is, His death in our place for our sins, and God's eventual judgment of the world and those who do not know Him.

The Holy Spirit tugs on our hearts and minds, asking us to repent and turn to God for forgiveness and a new life. (See John 16:8-11)  Without the convicting power of the Spirit, you would never have come to Jesus.  That is why, when I am praying for unbelievers, I pray that God would convict them by His Holy Spirit.

When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost (See Acts 1:1-4; 2:37), the scriptures say that the people "were cut to the heart." (Acts 2:37)  This phrase describes something that is sudden and unexpected. The Holy Spirit will give you twinges of conscience (guilt) about your sins and your need for Jesus.

 

And finally, the Holy Spirit helps us to pray.  Many times we are disappointed when God does not answer our prayers the way that we want.  Some will even abandon their relationship with Him and give up altogether.  Perhaps we do not understand the true objective of prayer.  Prayer is not a means by which you change the mind or will of God, it is a means by which God changes you!

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20a)

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing
change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God.