The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Godhead. He is God, and not a mere feeling or force. The understanding of His identity is crucial for the Christians.
In this Article:
Introduction
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead. He is God. He is not mere feeling or force. In the Bible, He is often referred to as either the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, or simply the Spirit (with capital ‘S‘).
Christian life begins by the Holy Spirit, it will also end with the work of the Holy Spirit. In the meantime, the Spirit is working through the believers. Unfortunately, many Christians are yet to learn the truth about the identity and functions of the Holy Spirit.
This article is the first of the several lessons on the Holy Spirit coming up on this Blog within the next several weeks.
My prayer is that God will use this series to enlighten you on the purpose and power of the Holy Spirit in your life. And that you will submit to His sanctification work in your life. Amen!
The Biblical Truths about the Holy Spirit
The following are just a few of what the Scripture reveals concerning the Holy Spirit:
1. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person
The Holy Spirit is not mere feeling or force. The Holy Spirit is God. He is expressly declared as a Person in the scriptures. For instance, In the Gospel of John, Christ refers to Him with possessive pronouns ‘he’ and ‘him’:
John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
See also John 16:7-15.
When Christ was giving the outreach instruction at the end of His earthly ministry, He named the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son:
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
2. He Worked Closely With Christ
The Holy Spirit was the closest companion of Jesus Christ during His earthly life and ministry, from His conception to death and resurrection. The New Testament recognizes the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christ in the following way:
- In Christ’s Incarnation – Hebrews 10:5 “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me”
- In Christ’s Conception – Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” See also: Matthew 1:18-20; Lu 1:35.
- In Christ’s Growth – Luke 2:40 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”
- In Christ’s Baptism – Luke 3:21-22 “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” See also: Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32-33.
- In Christ’s Temptation – Luke 4:14 “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”
- In Christ’s Ministry – Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” See also: Luke 4:1, 14.
- In Christ’s Miracles – Matthew 12:28 “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”
- In Christ’s Sacrifice/Death – Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
- In Christ’s Resurrection – Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
- In Christ Glorification – John 16:14 “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” See also: John 15:26; 16:8-11,13-14.
Have you ever wondered why God gave us the Holy Spirit when we believed? If Christ, though He was fully man and fully God during His earthly life and ministry, still depended on the power of the Holy Spirit, how much more do we who are weak in the flesh need the Holy Spirit?
If we recognize our brokenness, and depend on the power of the Holy Spirit, we will experience rapid growth and tremendous fruitfulness in our Christian lives. This is exactly why the Spirit was given to the believer. Ultimately, He will conform us to the image of Christ.
Ephesians 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
3. The Holy Spirit Works through the Word
The Spirit does not function outside of the Word of God. The following section will help us to better understand the point.
- Holy Spirit Does Not Function Outside of the Word
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Spirit teaches us all things through the Scriptures, He reveals Christ through the Scriptures inspired by Him. The only way we can glory Christ in our lives is by living according to His will which we cannot learn outside of the Scriptures. Do you get where I’m going with all these? Let’s continue.
John 14:21, 23 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
As believers in Christ, the will of God by which we have to live our lives is outlined in the Scriptures which was inspired by the Holy Spirit. According to the Apostle Peter above, we obey the truth only “through the Spirit”.
It is impossible for you to obey the truth of which you are unaware. And even when you’re aware of it, it is still impossible for you to obey it based upon your own strength or discipline.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
This is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believers’ lives.
- The Spirit Teaches and Speaks to Us through the Word
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
1 John 2:24, 27 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- You Cannot Be Filled by the Spirit If You’re Devoid of the Word
If the Holy Spirit works through the Scriptures. You cannot obey the truth that you have not learned, and the Holy Spirit will not work in you if you’re not conversant with the Word.
This makes sense since yielding requires that you know the commandments to which you are to yield, and it gives way to the move and filling of the Spirit.
This does not mean that a believer who is devoid of the Scriptures does not have indwelling Spirit. It just means that the Spirit is yet to be in control of his or her life.
To be filled with the Spirit is to be full of the truth of Christ which will in turn produces the desire to live for Him. This point is the reason for Colossians 3:16-17:
Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
To learn more on the relationship between the Spirit and the Word of God, please see my other article titled: The Filling of Spirit and the Word of God. There you will see the connection between Colossians 3:16-17 and Ephesians 5:18-20.
4. The Holy Spirit Functions in Salvation
“The genuine purpose and power of His [The Holy Spirit] ministry: freeing sinners from death, giving them everlasting life, regenerating their hearts, transforming their nature, empowering them for spiritual victory, confirming their place in the family of God, interceding for them according to the will of God, sealing them securely for their eternal glory, and promising to raise them to immortality in the future.” John MacArthur in Strange Fire.
According to the Ephesians 1:13, no one can be saved without first hearing and believing the Word of truth. This is the same truth which is revealed by the Holy Spirit. He inspired the Word of truth:
2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Also, the Bible says concerning the Holy Spirit that He is the One who helps the sinner to obey the truth:
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.
He is also the One who illuminates the truth of the scripture in the heart of the believers (see 1 Corinthians 2:10-15).
The Spirit proceeds in convicting the sinners in three areas as outlined by Christ in John 16:7-11
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
- He reproves the world of sin, revealing their sinfulness and the wages of sin – John 8:24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
- He reprove the world of righteousness, enlightening them to their need for God’s righteousness – Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
- He reproves the world of judgment, warning them of the consequences of rejecting the gospel – 2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
After heartily receiving the truth of the gospel, the Holy Spirit regenerates the sinful heart, converting them from being dead in sin to being alive in Christ:
Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus
Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The principal purpose of the Holy Spirit is to point the world to Christ (John 14:26,16:14; 1 John 4:2-3) and in turn conform them to the image of Christ.
5. The Holy Spirit is Building the Church
The Holy Spirit forms and is still building up the believers today. The Spirit regenerates and baptizes all believers into one Body according to
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
In addition to the Spirit baptism, the Holy Spirit also imparts gifts for service to every member of that Body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Not only does the Spirit gives the gifts for services, He also empowers the believers to serve:
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
See also: Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 2:4. The Spirit also provides guidance in Christian service:
Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.
See also Luke 2:27; 4:1.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in the gathering of the believers makes them the temple of God.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
This should not be confused with the temple of God in individual believer as in
2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
The Holy Spirit is the Seal and the Sealer of the Believers
Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Believers are guaranteed eternal security. We can never lose our salvation. The Bible says that those whom God predestinated, called, and justified, He also glorified. This is a done deal. Christ confirms this Himself:
John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
And so did the Apostle Paul:
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The reality of this is brought to light by the Scripture. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is proof that we belong to God (1 John 4:4); that we are secured by God (Romans 8:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:5); and that God will still return to take us home (John 14:3).
The Spirit is named the earnest [down payment] of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22), and we are sealed by Him until our glorification, to wit, “the redemption of the purchased possession”.
Romans 8:9-11 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
“The Spirit has been sent by Christ from the Father, and in Christ He has sealed us — sealed us, you see until the whole possession purchased by the death of the cross is redeemed from the last adverse power that tends to hold it in bondage; that is, until the coming of the Lord. The Spirit is given to abide with us forever. We may grieve Him but we cannot grieve Him away.” Dr. John MacArthur in Strange Fire
This is only the beginning of this series. More articles will be coming forth in the next several weeks. So, watch out!
Thank you for reading.
