Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God
To begin to understand who the Holy Spirit is, we must first realise that He is God and is part of what we call the Trinity.
The Christian teaching (doctrine) of the Trinity states that God is three persons, of the same substance or essence (consubstantial). The three divine persons are: Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.
Here is a diagram that best describes how the Trinity works
The bible clearly shows us that God is One and yet there are three distinct persons within the Godhead.
There is only one God is made very clear in: Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5
The Trinity is indicated by the following verses: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:22; Genesis 11:7; Isaiah 6:8; Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Many cults or false religions will not acknowledge the fact that the Trinity is real. Therefore, it is really very important that a Christian should have at least some basic knowledge about the Trinity and how to refute any claim against it.
The following very simple diagram shows how to prove that anyone of the three persons of the Trinity is God. To do this we need to show that all of the accepted criteria that make God, God would apply. God must be:
1. Eternal
2. Ominpresent (present everywhere simultaneously)
3. Omnipotent (all powerful)
4. Omniscient (all knowing)
Some bible verses have been included in this diagram but there are many that could apply. If you want to modify this, just add different verses that you might feel better apply and create your own and keep it somewhere handy (you never know when you might need it).
The Holy Spirit is Eternal – Hebrews 9:14
The Holy Spirit is Present Everywhere Simultaneously – Psalm 139:7-12
The Holy Spirit is All Powerful – Luke 1:35
The Holy Spirit Knows Everything – 1 Corinthians 2:9-11
The Holy Spirit is a Person
The Holy Spirit Possesses Personal Characteristics
He has a mind (which implies thinking on His own) – Romans 8:27
He has knowledge – 1 Corinthians 2:11
He possesses affection – Romans 15:30
(When have you known of an “impersonal force” that could love?)
He has a will – 1 Corinthians 12:11
Jesus consistently refers to the Holy Spirit as a person – e.g. John 14:16-17
The Holy Spirit’s Works Manifest Personality
The Holy Spirit Speaks
He “expressly says” that some will depart from the faith – 1 Timothy 4:1
The Spirit spoke and gave directions to Philip – Acts 8:29
He spoke to Peter and giving him clear instructions – Acts 10:19-20
He spoke to the church at Antioch concerning Paul and Barnabas – Acts 13:1-4
The Holy Spirit Teaches
He was to teach the apostles all things – John 14:26
The Holy Spirit Bears Witness
He was to testify of Jesus – John 15:26-27
Just as the apostles (who were “personal beings”) would bear witness, so also the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit Convicts
He will prove the world to be in the wrong concerning sin, righteousness and judgement – John 16:8
The Holy Spirit Guides, Hears, Speaks & Tells
He would carry on and complete the work started by Jesus – John 16:12-13
Notice again that Jesus consistently refers to the Holy Spirit as “He”
The Holy Spirit Forbids
He prevented Paul and his companions from going into certain areas of Asia – Acts 16:6-7
The Holy Spirit Intercedes (prays on behalf of another)
The “Spirit Himself makes intercession for us” – Romans 8:26
(Just as Christ “also makes intercession for us” – Romans 8:34)
The Holy Spirit Suffers Personal Slights and Injuries
He can be grieved – Ephesians 4:30
(He can be made sorrowful through our wilful neglect)
He can be blasphemed – Matthew 12:31-32
That is, to be spoken evil of, in attributing His deeds to the works of Satan, the “unforgivable sin”
He can be insulted – Hebrews 10:29
He can be lied to – Acts 5:3
(As Ananias and his wife Sapphira were guilty of doing.)
He can be resisted – Acts 7:51
(As Stephen charged the Jewish leaders of doing.)
Next time we will look, in more detail, at the Work of the Holy Spirit.
