Biblical Studies/Christianity/Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the spirit resident in the Godhead as the third person by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.

Quotes Concerning The Holy Spirit

As though he had said, Think not, my dear disciples, that I leave you out of anger: no, it is for your sakes, for your profit, that I go away: for if I go not away, if I die not upon the cross for your sins, and rise again for your justification, and ascend into heaven to make intercession, and plead my merits before my Father's throne; the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, will not, cannot come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And that they might know what he was to do, "When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16: 8)." The person referred to in the words of the text, is plainly the Comforter, the Holy Ghost; and the promise was first made to our Lord's apostles. But though it was primarily made to them, and was literally and remarkably fulfilled at the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost came down as a mighty rushing wind, and also when three thousand were pricked to the heart by Peter's preaching; yet, as the Apostles were the representatives of the whole body of believers, we must infer, that this promise must be looked upon as spoken to us, and to our children, and to as many as the Lord our God shall call.

− George Whitefield, Sermon 40.

The Person of The Holy Spirit

The Bible relates many attributes of the Holy Spirit.

• The Spirit is God. (Acts 5: 3-5)
• The Spirit is all knowing. (1 Cor 2: 10-11)
• The Spirit is eternal. (Heb. 9: 14)
• The Spirit is manifest by the sound of a blast of wind. (Acts 2: 2)
• The Spirit is accompanied by the appearance of tongues of fire:

As poured out on the first church at Pentecost. (Acts 2: 3)

• The Spirit is assigned equal status with the Father and the Son:

In the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19)

In blessings (2 Cor. 13: 14)

In divine oneness. (1 John 5: 7)

• The Spirit was active in the life of Jesus:

In His birth (Luke 1: 35)

In His ministry (Luke 4: 18, Acts 10: 38)

In directing Him (Matt. 4: 1)

In His crucifixion (Heb. 9: 14)

In the resurrection. (Rom. 8: 11)

• The Spirit gave specific instructions to the early Church:

To ordain Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13: 2)

Forbade Paul to go to Asia (Acts 16: 6)

Foretold what would happen to Paul (Acts 20: 23, 21: 11)

In letters to the seven churches in Asia. (Rev. 1, 2, 3)

The Work Of The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit was given to move on the unbeliever and to comfort the believer.

• The Holy Spirit works with the unbeliever:

Regenerates the sinner. (John 3: 5)

The Spirit brings conviction to the souls of those lost in sin. (John 16: 9)

Convinces men and women that Jesus is the Son of God and can be their Savior. (John 16: 10)

Shows men and women that the power of Satan is broken by Jesus in His death on the cross. (John 16: 11)

• The Holy Spirit works with the believer:

Comforts and assures believers of their salvation. (Rom. 8: 16)

Teaches and leads into all truth. (John 16: 13, 1 John 2: 27)

Empowers believers to witness. (Acts 1: 8)

Fills the believer’s mouth with Spirit-filled words in the time of need. (Luke 12: 12)

Gives the believer direction. (Rom. 8: 14)

Helps the believer live above lusts of the lower nature. (Gal. 5: 16)

Seals the believer with the promise that God is in control of the Spirit-filled life. (Eph. 1: 13,14)

Gives and administers gifts to the Church. (1 Cor. 12: 7)

The Spirit affirms that Jesus is the LORD God. (1 Cor. 12: 3)

The Spirit joins with the Church in inviting the lost and disconsolate to Jesus Christ. (Rev. 22: 17)

God − The Son − The Holy Spirit

---

Return to Christianity contents page