Who is the Holy Spirit?
Let’s examine scripture and discover just who the Holy Spirit is.
Genesis 1: 1, 2 (KJV)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Okay then, here we are told that God created the heavens and the earth and right there with Him at the very beginning is the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit). Now let’s jump forward a few thousand years to the New Testament and the book of John – not the Baptist, but John the beloved disciple of Jesus, the one who wrote the chapter.
John 1:1-5, 14 (NIV)
1 In the beginning was the Word,and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Here in John 1 and in the very first verse, John takes us right back to the beginning of the book of Genesis, Genesis 1 verse 1.
Now, what do these Genesis and John verses tell us? Simply this, they expose the full Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit – The Holy Trinity!
Just to summarise these verses quickly, we have ‘In the beginning’:
a. God (and the Word which is Jesus) – The Father.
b. Jesus (the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us) – The Son.
c. The Holy Spirit hovering over the waters – God’s Spirit and thus the Spirit of Jesus.
So, does this answer our original question? Who is the Holy Spirit? Yes, I think so!
The Holy Spirit is God, just as Jesus is God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity.
Just like there are three parts to an egg – yolk, white and shell, three parts but one egg!
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD!
2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)
The Lord is the Spirit
The apostle Paul in the verse above tells us that God is Spirit.
Now that we know who the Holy Spirit is, let’s see how He relates to us as believers.
Although the Trinity or the Godhead is one God, when He (God) relates to the world (us), He becomes three distinct persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
So, in the Trinity, God the Father is the supreme creator, Jesus the Son is our Saviour and the Holy Spirit is the power of God and thus Jesus in action, he is also our comforter and guide and He is also called the Spirit of Truth.
God sees believers as sinless as we belong to Jesus, and now, because Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, He has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us as our counsellor and to lead us in all truth to fulfil God’s purpose for us here on earth. He is alive within us – energizing and empowering our born-again human spirit. He is Jesus living within us!
John 14:16-17 (AMP)
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know you.
In the above two verses Jesus is comforting the disciples as they are crestfallen and apprehensive about their future because He is leaving them to return to the Father. He tells them not to be dismayed because the Father will send the Holy Spirit to replace Jesus to be there guide in all things. The Holy Spirit is both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Jesus – all three are the one true God – the Holy Trinity.
In verse 17 Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a person – ‘him’ three times and ‘he’ once!
The Holy Spirit is a Person!
Everything the Holy Spirit does is for the Glory of Jesus and, with the Holy Spirit guiding us, everything we as believers do should also be to glorify Jesus! And again, in the below verses Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as ‘he’ or ‘him’ numerous times!
John 16:7-15 (NIV)
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
In Genesis 1:1 the Hebrew word for God in is ‘Elohim’ which is the plural form of the Hebrew singular word ‘Eloah’ which would imply that Moses, the writer of the Book of Genesis, was familiar with the Holy Trinity (because of his close relationship with God) as we know them today – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1-2 (AMP)
1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV)
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
The use of the word "one" in this verse is commonly interpreted to mean that there is only "one" God. However, from a Hebraic perspective, the Hebrew word אחד (ehhad, Strong's #259) can mean a "unit" within a unity – again today we call them the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
It is also interesting to note that in the same verse above Moses uses the term ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one’ and the Hebrew word for Lord here is ‘Yaweh’ – #Strong’s 3068 (Jehovah). In the New Testament when the word ‘Lord’ is mentioned, it is always in reference to Jesus! So I think we can safely conclude that Moses was referring to God the Father and God the Son and that the Spirit of the Father and the Spirit of the Son are one – the Holy Spirit.
What does the Holy Spirit do?
1. Most importantly He will bring glory to Jesus!
John 16:14-15 (NIV)
14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
He will make known to us, His Church – those of us that are born again, all that He receives from Jesus.
2. He is the power of God.
The Holy Spirit is the creative, enabling, and empowering force of God. He was with God at the beginning as was Jesus.
In Genesis 1:1-2 above we are told that when God created the world the Holy Spirit was hovering over the waters. In some Bible translations it says the Holy Spirit was brooding, which gives us the picture that He was waiting to birth something and He was waiting for God’s command to do this!
Genesis 1:2-3 (AMP)
2 The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
God spoke and the Holy Spirit created whatever God spoke through Christ Jesus and to His (Jesus’) glory. Throughout chapter one of Genesis god speaks and everything was created in this way through Christ Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity working in perfect unity!
Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
3. The Holy Spirit gives us life and when we become born again, He lives within us, Christ in us the hope of glory – everlasting life in Christ Jesus!
Genesis 2:7 (AMP)
then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit].
John 6:63 (AMP)
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life].
John 14:17 (NIV)
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Colossians 1:27 (NIV)
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
4. He seals us as sons and daughters of God. In biblical times, a seal acted as a legal signature.
Like signing a document would today. It validated the content of the document. The Holy Spirit acts as our seal for our adoption papers as God’s sons and daughters. He validates our position as sons and daughters of God – brothers and sisters of Jesus!
5. He empowers us the be God’s witnesses hear on earth – our testimony to others of having Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
5. He empowers us the be God’s witnesses hear on earth – our testimony to others of having Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
Having the Holy Spirit in us means having power to be a witness. He gives us that power. We are to tell others about what Jesus did for us at Calvary, how he rose from the dead and reigns in victory!
6. He will convict the world about sin, righteousness and judgement.
7. He will guide us into all truth and he will tell us of things to come.
8. He bestows upon us the gifts of the Spirit for us to use for the common good of the Church so that we can build up and edify each other.
9. He enables and empowers us to live life in the Spirit and overcome the desires of the flesh which is sin.
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
6. He will convict the world about sin, righteousness and judgement.
John 16:8-11 (AMP)
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment: 9 about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message]; 10 about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me; 11 about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.
7. He will guide us into all truth and he will tell us of things to come.
John 16:13 (NIV)
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
8. He bestows upon us the gifts of the Spirit for us to use for the common good of the Church so that we can build up and edify each other.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (AMP)
4 Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. 5 And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 6 And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good.
9. He enables and empowers us to live life in the Spirit and overcome the desires of the flesh which is sin.
This is the freedom He bestows upon us in Christ Jesus! This is how we walk the path to maturity and are conformed more and more into Christ’s image!
10. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to produce fruit in keeping with repentance as evidence of our salvation.
Galatians 5:13 and16-18 (NIV)
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
10. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to produce fruit in keeping with repentance as evidence of our salvation.
Without the Holy Spirit working in and through us we would be unable to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
Are the fruit of the Spirit evident in all we do and say!
Galatians 5:19-26 (NIV)
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Roman 8:1-11 (AMP)
Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], 4 so that the [righteous and just] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power]. 5 For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. 6 Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; 7 the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.
9 However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God]. 10 If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides]. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
13. He will teach us all things and remind us of what the Bible says and teaches us! Of course. you must make it your mission to read and study the Bible constantly!
John 14:26 (AMP)
But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.
Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
15. He is our helper.
It is by the infilling of the Holy Spirit that Jesus lives within us! Our Lord sent Him to us for this very purpose so that we can close fellowship with him and so that we can be empowered to live our lives in the Spirit as the Apostle Paul encourages to do in Romans 8 and Galatians 5.
This is why the Apostle Paul commands us to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and to follow the way of God’s agapé love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts! When we do this God’s love is instilled within in all we do. It is God’s love in us through Christ Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit that covers a multitude of sins and becomes in us a powerful witness and testimony to the unsaved world!
16. He helps us in the process of sanctification as we walk our road to Christian maturity.
John 16:7 (AMP)
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
This is why the Apostle Paul commands us to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and to follow the way of God’s agapé love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts! When we do this God’s love is instilled within in all we do. It is God’s love in us through Christ Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit that covers a multitude of sins and becomes in us a powerful witness and testimony to the unsaved world!
Ephesians 5:18 (AMP)
Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (AMP)
Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].
1 Corinthians 16:14 (AMP)
Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].
16. He helps us in the process of sanctification as we walk our road to Christian maturity.
To be “sanctified” means to be set apart as sacred. It means to be purified of sin and to spiritually mature to become more like Christ. This doesn’t happen overnight. It is a continual process for a Christian. We take off our old self and become a new person over time. We do become new once we are saved, but like a caterpillar, we undergo a metamorphosis during our walk with God.
17. The Spirit brings unity and oneness to the body.
1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV)
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
17. The Spirit brings unity and oneness to the body.
The Spirit unites others. It is the Spirit that unites the Father and Son in the Trinity and it is the same Spirit that unites the member of the church body. When the Holy Spirit is operating in a group of people, He unites them in love and the work of the Kingdom can be carried out.
Throughout the New Testament we see the Holy Spirit direct people to do the will of God. He assists us in listening to God’s voice and, in faith, do what He is calling us to do. Be still and in prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what God wants for you and what He wants you to do. Ask him, also to equip you as you carry out His will.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would help me to live my life in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Help me to know your Word and to do what it instructs in complete obedience. Help me to love as you love. Amen!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!
Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV)
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
The born again Christian should not be living their lives according to the flesh, but living live in the Spirit!
Throughout the New Testament we see the Holy Spirit direct people to do the will of God. He assists us in listening to God’s voice and, in faith, do what He is calling us to do. Be still and in prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what God wants for you and what He wants you to do. Ask him, also to equip you as you carry out His will.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would help me to live my life in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Help me to know your Word and to do what it instructs in complete obedience. Help me to love as you love. Amen!
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!
Great explanation of what the Holy Spirit is and what He's able to do in us.
ReplyDeleteThank you and God bless you.