Behold Your God – the Holy Spirit
Within the doctrine of the Divine Trinity, we discovered that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is pneumatology or the study of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Bible, the Holy Spirit is an active agent. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, and who is to be worshipped and glorified.
The person of the Holy Spirit
Due to the many impersonal titles and descriptions of the Holy Spirit, some have doubted or denied His personality. The word “Spirit” comes from the Greek “pneuma” and the Hebrew “rauch” both meaning “wind or breath.” If the Holy Spirit is “only” wind, breath or force of God, He could be conceived of being an impersonal force without being, identity, or personality. Throughout the Bible, personal pronouns are used to describe the Holy Spirit, (He, Who, Spirit of Truth, etc. ( John 16:14; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 15:26; 14:16-17). Personal attributes and actions that are ascribed to the Father and Son are used to refer to the Holy Spirit. He searches, knows, (1 Corinthians 2:10-12), loves, (Romans 15:30; is vexed, (Isaiah 63:10; and is grieved, (Ephesians 4:30). He speaks, (Acts 13:2; 21:11), testifies, (John 14:26)a; teaches, (John 14:26); intercedes, (Romans 8:26-27); guides, (John 16:13); appoints leaders, (Acts 20:28), and works miracles, ( Acts 8:39, Romans 15:19). He has personal relationships with God the Father and Son, and with believers, ( Matthew 28:19; John 16:14; Acts 15:28). Jesus attributed specific ministries and work to the Holy Spirit, Whom He calls “Another Comforter,” (John 14:16).
The Holy Spirit In The Old Testament
The Holy Spirit has been active with the Father and the Son before creation.
Genesis 1:1-2 NIV In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 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.
The name “God” (Elohim) in verse 1 is a plural noun indicating God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and then the Holy Spirit is named in verse 2.
The breath of God is the Spirit of God.
Job 26:13 NIV By His breath the skies became fair…
Psalm 33:6 NIV By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth.
The Holy Spirit was active in the creation of animal life.
Psalm 104:24-25, 30 NIV How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. 30When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
The Holy Spirit was active in the creation of man
Genesis 2:7 NIV the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Job 33:4 NIV The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Divine attributes of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit possesses the same divine attributes as the Father and God the Son.
- He is the eternal Spirit— Hebrews 9:14
- He is omniscient — He has a will, teaches, searches, and knows all things from afar, John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10, Psalms 139:1-3
- He is omnipresent — “everywhere present” — “where shall I go from your Spirit or flee from your presence”, Psalms 139:7
- He is omnipotent — He shared in the work of creation “hovering over the waters of the deep,” (Genesis 1:2) and breathing life into God’s creation, (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 104:24-25, 30).
- He is holy — He is the Spirit of Holiness, (Ephesians 4:30).
Divine works of the Holy Spirit
The works of the Holy Spirit give evidence of His deity.
Creation (Genesis 1:2)
Several Scripture passages affirm that the Holy Spirit was involved in the work of creation. Genesis 1:2 indicates that the Spirit brooded over creation, bringing it to life. In Psalm 104:24–26 the psalmist describes the creation, and in v. 30 “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created.” Job 26:13 expands the creation of God to the heavens; the Holy Spirit created not only the earth but also the heavens.
Generating Christ (Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:35)
The overshadowing of Mary by the Holy Spirit assured the sinless humanity of Christ. Christ in His deity is eternal, but the Holy Spirit moved upon the womb of Mary to generate the sinless human nature of Christ.
Inspiration of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21)
2 Peter 1:21 NKJV For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
There is an analogy between the Holy Spirit’s generating Christ’s humanity and the Spirit’s superintending the writers of Scripture. Just as the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary guaranteeing the sinlessness of Christ’s humanity, so the Holy Spirit superintended the human writers to guarantee an inerrant Scripture. The writers of Scripture were carried along by the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing the inspiration of the books of Scripture. The Spirit’s work in inspiration is analogous to the Father’s work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Regeneration (Titus 3:5)
We are saved, “through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” To regenerate means to give life. The Holy Spirit causes the new birth; He is its author. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is the spiritual counterpart of human reproduction in the physical realm. Human generation produces human life; spiritual regeneration produces spiritual life. The Holy Spirit produces the new birth, but He does it through the instrumentality of the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). The same truth is taught in John 3:6 where Jesus indicates the Holy Spirit produces the new birth in that He regenerates the person.
Intercession (Romans 8:26)
Romans 8:26 NKJV Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Christ is an intercessor for believers, but so is the Holy Spirit.
Sanctification (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
“God chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit.” Sanctification is the work of God that separates the believer from sin, dedicates them to God and joins them to Christ. It results in holiness and purification.Sanctification is both instantaneous and progressive. (Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Acts 26:18; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:19-24)
Helping saints (John 14:16-17)
In this text, Jesus promised the disciples “another Helper,” Who would abide with you forever. The Helper is the Greek word parakletos which comes from two words, “along side” and “called,” hence, “one called along side to help.” In 1 John 2:1 the Lord Jesus is called the sinning saint’s Paraclete (“Advocate” in most versions). The Holy Spirit is “another of the same kind” as Christ, a Helper who is called alongside to help the believer. The Holy Spirit’s work as the believer’s Paraclete (Helper) demands His deity since His work is the same as Christ’s in His role as Paraclete. It becomes apparent that the works of the Holy Spirit indicate His deity—His oneness within the Godhead, together with the Father and the Son.
Old Testament Manifestations
As we study the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, notice a difference in the manner in which He worked in the Old Testament and after the ascension of Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament He came upon men.
Numbers 11:17 NIV I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.
(Numbers 11:25; Numbers 24:2; Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29; Judges 13:25; Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 10:6; 1 Samuel 10:10)
When the Holy Spirit came upon individuals, they were equipped and empowered to accomplish the assignment God had determined for them.
He was poured out upon men.
Proverbs 1:23 NKJV Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my Spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
(Isaiah 32:15; Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; Zechariah 12:10) Several of these references show the future outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2.
The Holy Spirit is mentioned some 88 times in the Old Testament. In these Old Testament references, the Holy Spirit never indwelled individuals. He came upon them and he left them as He willed.
There are several Old Testament prophecies of a future out pouring of the Holy Spirit.
God promised a future pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel.
Ezekiel 37:14 NIV I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ ”
Ezekiel 39:29 NIV I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
The Holy Spirit is promised to be poured upon all flesh.
Joel 2:28-29 NIV “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
This future promise did not occur until after Christ had ascended back to the Father. In Acts 2, the disciples were waiting in Jerusalem as Christ had instructed. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on them in the upper room.
The Holy Spirit In The New Testament
The work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament to reveal, inspire, and give the Word of God is verified in the New Testament scriptures.
2 Peter 1:21 NIV For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The New Testament ascribes many Old Testament Scriptures directly to the Holy Spirit.
Mark 12:36 NIV David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”
Acts 1:16 NIV “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David…
The work or ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit’s work in salvation.
John 3:5-6 NKJV Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
This is not to be confused with the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is an outpouring of the Spirit after salvation. Neither is it the impartation of power and anointing for spiritual service. New spiritual life can only be realized through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:9 NKJV But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
The only way that a person may become a Christian is by virtue of their body becoming a temple of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
The Holy Spirit bears witness to the believer’s relationship with God.
1 John 5:10 NKJV He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
Romans 8:16 NKJV The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Galatians 4:6 NKJV And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
Notice that the Spirit takes the initiative to bear witness that we are a child of God.
The Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:13 NKJV For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
This is not water baptism, but an action of the Holy Spirit that brings believers into the body of Christ. This is not the baptism into the Holy Spirit, which is an action of Christ, (Mark 1:8). Water baptism is the outward symbol of this action that is accomplished by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit Seals the believer.
Ephesians 1:13 NKJV In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:14 NKJV Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 4:30 NKJV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
The seal of the Holy Spirit is the sign of ownership upon believers and gives evidence that we belong to the Lord, (2 Timothy 2:19).
After salvation the Holy Spirit sanctifies and transforms the believer into the image of Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
He leads the sons of God.
Romans 8:14 NKJV For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
The work of the Holy Spirit in relation to ministry and service
As part of the Holy Spirit’s work in the Church, we are given the fruit of the Spirit and gifts of the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is the moral and social character of a Christian. The fruit of the Spirit is found in Galatians 5:22-23. It is one fruit with several characteristics. When the Holy Spirit is indwelling there will be fruit or evidence of the Spirit abiding. The spiritual fruit that comes from the Spirit-filled life is a natural instant product of the indwelling Spirit. Anyone who is in Christ will be productive fruit bearers.
The Work Of The Holy Spirit In The Church
He reveals and gives understanding to the Word of God.
John 16:13 NKJV However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
He helps the believer to pray.
Romans 8:26 NKJV Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:27 NKJV Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Ephesians 6:18 NKJV praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
The Holy Spirit gives power and anointing for ministry.
1 Corinthians 2:4 NKJV And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
The Holy Spirit gives believers spiritual gifts for ministry.
1 Corinthians 12:1 NKJV Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
We have at our disposal the greatest power of the universe and are enabled to work the works Christ worked. The gifts of the Spirit are for the church today and under the control of the Holy Spirit Who enables the church to carry on its work.
The nine (9) gifts of the Spirit are found in 1 Corinthians 12.
The gifts of the Spirit were active in the whole church. Careful examination reveals the supernatural, the miracles, healings, and gifts of knowledge and utterance were confirmations to the Word that was preached. The outpouring of the Spirit did not remove the believers from their normal human joys and sorrows, riches and poverty, strength and weaknesses, health and infirmity, popularity and persecution. The gifts of the Spirit enabled them to work the works of God under the control of the Holy Spirit. They were quite dependent on the mind, will, and function of the Holy Spirit to accomplish these gifts.
Ministering Gifts
Ministering Gifts are given in three Scripture references, (1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:18; Ephesians 4:11-12). None of the references give the entire list of the ministering gifts. The Holy Spirit manifests Himself through the ministry of individuals in many methods and ways.
We have been given these gifts:
- 1 Corinthians 12:28 — Five-fold ministering gifts: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers
- Ephesians 4:11-12 — Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Helps, Governments
- Romans 12:18 — Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving or Christian Benevolence, Administration, Showing of Mercy.
There are various forms of ministry.
Just as the body of Christ (the Church) has many members, and is yet, one body, so the ministry of that body has many forms. The key to this ministry of the Church and the Holy Spirit is given in the preceding chapter of Romans 12.
The Names Of The Holy Spirit In The New Testament
The Names of the Holy Spirit clearly define the character, person, and position of the Holy Spirit.
Names Expressing His Relationship to the Father
- “The Spirit of God” (Matthew 3:16)
- “The Spirit of the Lord” (Luke 4: 18)
- “The Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6: 11)
- “The Spirit of the living God” (2 Corinthians 3:3)
- “The Spirit of your Father” (Matthew 10:20)
- “The Spirit of Glory and the Spirit of God” (1 Peter 4: 14)
- “The Promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4)
These names indicate His relationship with the Father. He is the Spirit of God, and bears the nature and character of the Father.
Names Expressing His Relationship to the Son
- “The Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9)
- “The Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:9)
- “Spirit of Jesus” (Acts 16:7)
- “The Spirit of His (God’s) Son” (Galatians 4:6)
- “Another Comforter” (Paraclete) (John 14:16)
- These names indicate that the work of Christ will be continued by the work of the Holy Spirit.
- The Spirit of Christ enables us to recognize our relationship to the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Names Expressing the Gifts Which He Bestows
- “The Spirit of Life” (Romans 8:2; Revelation 11:11)
- “The Spirit of Holiness” (Romans 1:4)
- “The Spirit of Wisdom” (Ephesians 1:17)
- “The Spirit of Faith” (2 Corinthians 4: 13)
- “The Spirit of Truth” (John 14: 17; 16: 13)
- “The Spirit of Grace” (Hebrews 10:29)
- “The Spirit of Adoption” (Romans 8: 15)
- “The Spirit of Power, Love and Sound Mind” (2 Timothy 1:7)
- “The Spirit of Promise: (Ephesians 1:13)
- “The Spirit of Glory” (1 Peter 4:14)
- “The Spirit of Supplications”
Each name indicates specific qualities about the Holy Spirit’s person, work, and gifts.
Impersonal Names or Characteristics
He is compared to:
- Water (John 7:38-39)
- Wind (John 3:8; Acts 2:2)
- Fire (Acts 2:3)
- Anointing/Oil (Acts 10:38)
- Dove (Luke 3:22)
- Power (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49)
- Seal (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:19)
This variety of names reveal His Person, deity, power, influence, and ministry among us and in us.
