There are many contradicting beliefs, teachings, and opinions in the religious world concerning the Holy Spirit. Some believe that they have been baptized by the Spirit and are empowered by Him to perform miraculous works. Others deny that this can happen today. Some believe the Holy Spirit personally and literally dwells in them. Others teach that this is impossible. Some teach that the Holy Spirit is just an influence or a mere manifestation of God – that He is not real. Others teach that He is a distinct member of the Godhead.
Sadly, some Christians are not equipped to defend the truth about this subject. Compared to the Holy Spirit, we know quite a bit about the Father and Jesus Christ, but the Holy Spirit remains a mystery to most of us. This is unfortunate, for the Holy Spirit is a prominent subject in the Bible, mentioned as early as Genesis 1:2 and as late as Revelation 22:17.
The only things that we can know for certain about the Holy Spirit are the things that have been revealed in the Bible. We must be content with the teachings of the Bible, as opposed to relying upon denominational doctrines, human opinions, and personal feelings. In this series of articles, we will discuss the Bible’s teaching on various aspects of the Holy Spirit. This article will serve as an introduction to our subject.
The Names of the Holy Spirit
While the following is not an exhaustive list, it does contain many of the names and designations given to the Spirit in the Word of God. These names or designations tell us some important things about the Spirit.
- The Holy Spirit/Ghost – Luke 4:1
- The Spirit – Luke 4:1
- The Spirit of God – Genesis 1:2
- The Spirit of the Lord – Luke 4:18
- The Helper/Comforter – John 16:7
- The Spirit of Truth – John 16:13
- The Spirit of Grace – Hebrews 10:29
- The Good Spirit – Nehemiah 9:20
- The Spirit of the Living God – 2 Corinthians 3:3
- Spirit of your Father – Matthew 10:20
- Promise of the Father – Acts 1:4
- The Spirit of Christ – Romans 8:9
- The Spirit of Jesus Christ – Philippians 1:19
- The Eternal Spirit – Hebrews 9:14
- The Spirit of Life – Romans 8:2
- The Spirit of Holiness – Romans 1:4
We know that He is a spirit. The word “spirit” is translated from the Greek word pneuma which means “a current of air, a spirit.” He is not flesh and blood; not a physical being but a spiritual being.
He is not a “ghost” in the modern use of the word. In 1611, when the King James Version was translated, the word “ghost” meant “the soul as the seat of life or intelligence; hence, the spirit of man, as distinguished from the body” (Webster). Today the word carries the idea of a disembodied spirit or a spook. There is nothing spooky about the Holy Spirit.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). He exhibits all the attributes of deity.
- Eternal – Hebrews 9:14
- Omnipresent – Psalm 139:7
- Omnipotent – Psalm 104:30
- Omniscient – 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
- Prescience – Acts 1:16
- Infinite Life – Romans 8:2
- Infinite Love – Romans 15:30
- Infinite Holiness – Matthew 28:19
While these attributes identify the Holy Spirit as deity, the Bible also shows that the Holy Spirit has all of the qualities, characteristics, and attributes of a person or an individual. The following are all things that a person can do. The Holy Spirit…
- Hears – John 16:13
- Speaks – John 16:13, 1 Timothy 4:1
- Guides – John 16:13
- Teaches – John 14:26
- Reminds – John 14:26
- Forbids – Acts 16:6-7
- Comforts – Acts 9:31
- Searches – 1 Corinthians 2:10
- Strives – Genesis 6:3
The following are all things that can be done to a person. The Holy Spirit can be…
- Grieved – Ephesians 4:30
- Insulted – Hebrews 10:29
- Blasphemed – Matthew 12:31
- Lied To – Acts 5:3-4
- Resisted – Acts 7:51
The following are all things that a person has. The Holy Spirit has a…
- Mind – Romans 8:27
- Affection – Romans 15:30
- Knowledge – 1 Corinthians 2:11
- Will – 1 Corinthians 12:11
Also, the Holy Spirit is referred to with masculine pronouns (“He,” “His” – John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13).
The Holy Spirit is God, but He is also a distinct individual. The Holy Spirit is not a manifestation of the Father or the Son. He is not the Word, nor a mere divine influence. He is a distinct member of the Godhead: one with God the Father and with God the Son.
There are three distinct personalities or individuals that make up the Godhead. They are all separate from one another (the Father is not the Son or the Spirit, etc.), yet they are all equally God. The Scriptures show that they are distinct from each other. One example occurred when Jesus was baptized by John. When this event occurred, the Bible says that the Father was in heaven, the Son was on earth, and the Spirit was seen descending upon the Son in the form of a dove (Matthew 3:16-17). They are separate, yet they are united in nature, character and purpose.
Conclusion
While we know less about the Spirit than we know about the Father and the Son, the Spirit is God. As a member of the Godhead, He deserves our reverence and respect.
