Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is essential for everyone. Without Him, it is impossible to know God or be delivered from sin and death. As the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is God, complete with a distinct personality. He is crucial in the redemption of the unbelieving sinner and equally pivotal in the life of the born-again Christian. Emanating eternally from both God the Father and Jesus, God the Son, the Holy Spirit possesses all the attributes of the Eternal God. The presence of the Holy Spirit within is a defining characteristic of a Christian. Therefore, understanding the work and nature of the Holy Spirit is vital, for without Him, one remains eternally separated from God in their sins.
Who Needs the Holy Spirit-Part 1 will address the Holy Spirits as a person, as part of the Trinity, and as Deity.
We will address the follow questions in regard to the Holy Spirit. "Who Needs the Holy Spirit-part 1" will answer questions 1-3. Who Needs the Holy Spirit-part 2 will answer questions 4 and 5. Who Needs the Holy Spirit-part 3 will answer question 6 and 7.
The Holy Spirit is a Person.
God is a Holy Trinity!
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What are the Holy Spirits work with unbelievers?
What are the ministries of the Holy Spiri?
What does the Holy Spirit have to do with Salvation?
What symbols represent God the Holy Spirit.
"Meditate or ponder on the multifaceted spiritual gem of the Holy Spirit as He and His work are unveiled to you by the word of God. He is a most unusual gem because of His not merely reflecting light rays from elsewhere, He glows from within with the very light of God" (Eric Peterman, Grace Bible Fellowship).
The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Holy Trinity, equal to God the Father and God the Son, Jesus. In the Genesis narrative, the Holy Spirit is depicted as actively participating in creation. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit descended upon individuals to empower them for service; however, He withdrew from those who were disobedient. For instance, David witnessed the departure of the Spirit from King Saul firsthand during his prayers.
"Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51:11).
In the New Testament, following Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and other followers, it is described that He resides within all who have faith in Jesus. This indwelling begins at the moment of belief or salvation and is perpetual, equipping and empowering believers for service and to fully embrace God's love. The Holy Spirit is said to stay with the Church until its culmination and its presentation to the Lord Jesus at the event known as the rapture.
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thess 4:16-18).
Just as Jesus finished His work of redemption in the flesh, so the Holy Spirit will finish the work He came to do in the Church.
The Holy Spirit’s is a Person
Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is not a force, energy, or power, as some have wrongly believed. He is a person! Charles Ryrie describes how some have tried to deny his personhood throughout history:
"Denial that the Spirit is a person often takes the form of substituting the concept that He is a personification of, say, power—much like claiming that Satan is a personification of evil. This denial of His personality has occurred throughout church history."
In talking about the Holy Spirit’s personhood and encouraging believers to pursue intimacy with him, R.C. Sproul said this:
Do you know who the Holy Spirit is? Do you understand the Holy Spirit in terms of a personal relationship? Or does the Spirit remain for you a vague, misty, abstract concept or an illusive, amorphous force? Forces in and of themselves are impersonal. But the Holy Spirit is not simply an abstract force. He is a person who empowers the people of God for the Christian life.
Masculine Pronouns Used for the Holy Spirit
Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit is a person, not a “force,” as seen by the use of personal and masculine pronouns for him. Strong evidence for the Holy Spirit’s personhood is the Greek grammar used to refer to him. Instead of using neuter pronouns like “it,” which are used for objects, masculine pronouns are used to refer to him. how Christ speaks of the Holy Spirit.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come. He will glorify me, because he will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you" (John 16:13-14).
Instead of using the pronoun “it,” Christ used the pronoun “he.” Similarly, Paul uses the pronoun “who” in reference to the Holy Spirit.
"And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).
The Spirit’s Association with Jesus’ Work
The personhood of the Holy Spirit is evident firstly in the personal pronouns used to refer to Him, and secondly, in His role in relation to Christ's work. The Holy Spirit ministers to us, paralleling Christ's ministry to His disciples during His time on earth. Reflect on Christ's descriptions of the Holy Spirit's ministry to the disciples.
“Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever” (John 14:16).
Christ was saying that when he left the disciples, he would send them an Advocate or Counselor just like him. This is made clear by the Greek word used for “another.” It literally means “another of the same kind.”
"Jesus' choice of words emphasizes the unique work of the Spirit in continuing what He had begun while on earth without any loss of character, quality, power, or intimacy. Jesus could promise this because the Spirit is of equal divine essence with Jesus Himself. The Holy Spirit would do the same ministry that Jesus did with the disciples. He would teach, convict, comfort, lead, and empower them. Christ taught that the disciples were better off with the Holy Spirit’s continual presence than if Christ stayed on the earth with them" (Tony Evans).
“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).
While Christ was on Earth, his human body was bound by location, but the arrival of the Holy Spirit meant that the Spirit could be with each follower, regardless of place. Though we may not have witnessed Christ or listened to his teachings firsthand, we are not deprived of anything, for Christ has bestowed upon us a Counselor akin to himself—someone who is always with us. We have the privilege to seek the Spirit's guidance, pose questions, and receive ministry, akin to how Christ interacted with his disciples.
The Spirit’s Association with Humanity
Evidence of the Holy Spirit's personhood is also seen in his interactions with humanity. This is illustrated in various passages. For instance, the apostles, elders, and the Jerusalem church concluded that Gentiles were not required to follow the Mosaic Law. This decision was reached through the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they engaged in discussion and sought God's direction through prayer.
“For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules” (Acts 15:28).
We also see the Holy Spirit’s association with humanity in how he ministers to unbelievers.
“And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8).
The Holy Spirit’s Demonstration of Personality
Another evidence for the Holy Spirit’s personhood is the fact that he demonstrates aspects of personality such as will, intelligence, and emotions. He also demonstrates personality through his moral ministries. We will consider these further through various texts.
Will of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s will is demonstrated in how he directs believers in carrying out God’s plans. The Holy Spirit calls for the elders of the Antioch church to set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary work.
"Now there were these prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch from childhood) and Saul. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:1-2).
Likewise, the Holy Spirit demonstrates his “will” as he distributes spiritual gifts to each person in the body of Christ.
“It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.” (1Corinthians 12:11).
The Holy Spirit discerns which gifts will best serve each believer; He understands the future needs of His church, whether it requires an administrator, a small group leader, or a children's pastor. Our excitement for our spiritual gifts is justified, as the Holy Spirit, omniscient and purposeful, bestows them for God's glory. In making these decisions, the Holy Spirit exhibits personality.
Intelligence of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit demonstrates intelligence as he teaches and guides believers.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.” (John 14:26).
In order to teach others, one must have intelligence, including knowledge and wisdom. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and as such generously distributes knowledge to us. Intellect is also demonstrated in how the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God. Paul said the Spirit knows the “deep” things of God (v. 10). There are many things that we cannot understand about God because they are too deep.
“Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the man’s spirit within him? So too, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-11).
Clearly, the Holy Spirit demonstrates personality through intellect. He knows God and his will and reveals it to people.
Emotions of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit also demonstrates personality through his emotions, He can be grieved and jealous.
"You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:29-30).
Also, the Holy Spirit experiences Jealousy. The Spirit demonstrates the same type of righteous jealousy a husband experiences when his wife cheats on him. The Holy Spirit demonstrates personality through his emotions.
“The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? (James 4:4-5 (NKJV).
Finally, the Holy Spirit’s personality can be seen through his moral ministries. He teaches believers (John 14:26), prays for them (Rom 8:26), and guides them (Rom 8:14, Matt 4:1).
This holds practical significance as a personal relationship can only be formed with a person, not an object. For Christians, this means being in a personal relationship with the triune God—three distinct persons sharing one divine essence. Just as with any meaningful relationship, nurturing our connection with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is essential. They are three persons united in one divine substance.
God is a Holy Trinity
Now that we have established that the Holy Spirit is not a force but a person. The Bible also teaches that the Holy Spirit is God. He is the third person of the Trinity and, therefore, equal in every way to the Son and the Father. To understand that the Holy Spirit is God we must first understand who the Trinity of God Is.
Who Is the Trinity of God?
The Trinity is one God existing in three Persons. These three persons are God the Father, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit. Understand that this is not in any way suggesting three Gods. Keep in mind when studying this subject that the word “Trinity” is not found in Scripture. But the concept, meaning, and reality is throughout the Bible. This is a term that is used to attempt to describe the triune God—three coexistent, co-eternal Persons who are God. God is a Trinity. He is three in one, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. God is one and expresses Himself as three persons having personalities and roles or tasks. This Holy Trinity is (present), has always been (past) and will be forevermore (future) God Almighty.
Eternal Generation and Procession
There seems to be a subordination within the Trinity. Scripture shows that the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and the Son, and the Son is subordinate to the Father. This is an internal relationship and does not deny the deity of any Person of the Trinity.
Father God Eternally Generates Jesus
From Father God Jesus is generated, eternally and continuously. Another way of saying eternal generation is begetting (not created, made, or born).
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14)
"No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him " (John 118).
Father God eternally generates or begets the Son, not as an act of the will of God, but of a necessity of the nature and being of deity.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
"He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18).
The following are Scriptures that reveal the relationship of the Son, Jesus, with Father God on earth as Emmanual and within the trinity itself.
“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42),
"But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me" (John 5:36),
"So, Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).
"We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world" (1 John 4:14).
The Father's Eternal Generating of the Son Provides
The Son is the agent through whom God the Father does the following works: the creation and maintenance of the universe, divine revelation, and salvation.
Creation and Maintenance of Universe
"All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being" John 1:3).
"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:16-17).
Divine Revelation
"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore, I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you"(John 16:12-15)
"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27)
Salvation
"Namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:19).
"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
"And they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
The Father does all these things through the Son, who functions as His agent.
Holy Spirit Eternally Proceeds from the Father and Son
The deity of the Holy Spirit is not from eternal generation but comes from eternal procession. The Holy Spirit proceeds eternally and continuously from God the Father and God the Son, Jesus.
“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me" (John 15:26).
The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, and the Son sends the Spirit from the Father. Yet, Jesus also makes the claim that both the Father and the Son act in the sending or procession of the Holy Spirit. Jesus states that the Spirit "proceeds from the Father" indicating the verb tense. Not He did proceed, not He will proceed, but a present active, which is without reference to beginning or end. The is the eternal procession of the Spirit.
"I (Jesus) will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever" (John 14:16).
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you" (John 14:26).
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you" (John 16:13-14).
The Holy Spirit Proceeding from the Father and Son Provides
The Holy Spirit is the means by whom the Father does the following works: creation and maintenance of the universe, divine revelation, Salvation, and Jesus' works.
Creation and Maintenance of Universe
“By His breath the heavens are cleared; His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent" (Job 26:13).
"You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the ground" (Psalm 104:30).
Divine Revelation
"Which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit" (Ephesians 3:5).
"For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter 1:21).
Salvation
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6).
"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).
"According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure" (1 Peter 1:2).
Jesus’ Works
"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38).
Thus, the Father does all these things by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, we can distinguish each person in the Trinity by these oppositional relationships. Oppositional relating Is a form of relationship either being in a contrastive, equal, or complementary in a two-way relationship. The Father generates or begets the son (a love relationship) and spirates (the action of breathing as a creative or life-giving function of Deity) the Holy Spirit (a love relationship). The Son is begotten of the Father (a love relationship) that spirates the Spirit (a love relationship). The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father (a love relationship) and the Son (a love relationship).
The following is what God’s Word says about the Trinity:
There Is ONE God
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!"(Deuteronomy 6:4).
"Therefore, concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one" (1 Corinthians 8:4).
"Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one" (Galatians 3:20).
The Trinity Consists of THREE Persons
In Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew plural noun "Elohim" is used. In Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7 and Isaiah 6:8, the plural pronoun for “us” is used. The word "Elohim" and the pronoun “us” are plural forms, definitely referring in the Hebrew language to more than two. While this is not an explicit argument for the Trinity, it does denote the aspect of plurality in God. The Hebrew word for "God," "Elohim," definitely allows for the Trinity. The Trinity consists of three Persons (Isaiah 6:8, 48:16, 61:1; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
"Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Genesis 1:26).
"Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat and live forever—” (Genesis 3:22).
"Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” (Genesis 11:7).
Jesus References the Father and Holy Spirit
The following Scriptures shows us the Son is speaking while making reference to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
"Draw near to me (Messiah), hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit" (Isaiah 48:16).
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me (Jesus) to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound" (Isaiah 61:1).
Compare Isaiah 61:1 to Luke 4:14-19 to see that it is Jesus the Son speaking.
"And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding districts. And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord (God)” (Luke 4:14-19).
Jesus' Baptism, Baptizing Disciples, Paul's Benediction
The following describes Scriptures showing the event of Jesus’ baptism, baptizing disciples, and Paul's benediction as indicating the Triune God.
"And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17).
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"(Matthew 28:19).
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Trinity Distinguished From One Another
The members of the Trinity are distinguished one from another in various passages. In the Old Testament, “LORD” is distinguished from “Lord.”
"Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven" (Genesis 19:24).
"And the Lord said to him, “Name him Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will punish the house of Jehu for the bloodshed of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel" (Hosea 1:4).
The LORD God has a SON
"I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You" (Psalm 2:7). "Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way. For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! (Psalm 2:12).
"Surely I am more stupid than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man. Neither have I learned wisdom, nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!" (Proverbs 30:2-4).
The Holy Spirit is distinguished from the “LORD” and from “GOD.”
"So, the Lord said to Moses, take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him" (Numbers 27:18).
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:10-12).
God the Son is distinguished from God the Father
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows" (Psalm 45:6-7).
But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions” (Hebrews 1:8-9).
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks to the Father about sending a Helper, the Holy Spirit.
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you"(John 14:16-17).
This shows that Jesus did not consider Himself to be the Father or the Holy Spirit. Consider also the other instances when Jesus speaks to the Father. Was He speaking to Himself? No. He spoke to another Person in the Trinity—the Father.
Each Member of the Trinity is God
The Father is God.
"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal” (John 6:27).
"To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:7).
"According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure" (1 Peter 1:2).
The Son (Jesus Christ) is God.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (Jesus), and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:1, 14).
"For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9).
"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20).
The Holy Spirit is God.
"Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:4b).
"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16).
God the Father is the Ultimate Source
Therefore, we see that God the Father is the ultimate source or cause of the universe, divine revelation, salvation, and Jesus' human works.
Universe
"Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him" (1 Corinthians 8:6).
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (Revelation 4:11).
Divine Revelation
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bondservants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John" (Revelation 1:1).
Salvation
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:16-17).
Jesus’ Human Works
But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working" (John 5:17).
"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works" (John 14:10).
God the Father initiates all of these things.
Names that Remind Us of a Triune God
The following names remind us that God is indeed part of the triune Godhead. That the Holy Spirit is just as much God as the Father and the Son. He is first revealed to us at the creation, when He was “hovering over the waters,” (Genesis 1:2) denoting His part in creation, along with that of Jesus who “made all things” (John 1:1-3). We see this same Trinity of God again at Jesus’ baptism, when the Spirit descends on Jesus and the voice of the Father is heard.
Spirit of God
"After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matt 3:16-17).
Spirit of the Lord/God
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Corinthians 3:17).
"However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Romans 8:9).
Spirit of Christ/Jesus Christ/Jesus
"Seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow" (1 Peter 1:11).
"For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Phil1:19).
"And after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them" (Acts 16:7).
Spirit of the Father
"For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you" (Matthew 10:20).
The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God—but there is only one God. That is the biblical doctrine of the Trinity.
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34).
God is truth, He will remain incorruptible and cannot lie.
"For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 117:2).
"Also, the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind” (1 Samuel 15:29).
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not parts of God; each of them is God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not forms of God, each of them is God. An infinite God cannot be fully described by a finite mind. Thus, the Trinity is understood in part and remains a mystery in part.
God the Holy Spirit (Deity)
The Holy Spirit Is Called God
Now let's examine specifically the Scriptural evidence for the Holy Spirit’s deity. In many Bible passages, the Holy Spirit is called “God.” When Peter confronted Ananias about lying to God, he called the Holy Spirit, “God.” The text says:
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land? Before it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God!” (Acts 5:3-4).
By lying to the Holy Spirit, Ananias was lying to God.
The Interchangeability of the Names Holy Spirit and God
Further evidence for the Holy Spirit’s deity is seen in how Scripture often uses the names Holy Spirit and God interchangeably.
"Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If someone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, which is what you are. 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?" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:19).
The Spirit’s Association of Equality with Jesus and God
Another evidence of the Spirit’s deity is his continual association with God the Father and God the Son on an equal basis is proof of the Spirit’s deity. Three great examples of this is in the Great Commission, Paul's benediction, and Peter's introduction.
"Christ said: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
Likewise, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:13).
Also, "From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!" (1 Peter 1:1-2).
The Holy Spirit’s Divine Attributes
Another evidence of the Spirit’s deity is the fact that the Holy Spirit has divine attributes of God. He is eternal, the everlasting God, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient/all knowing,
The Eternal and Everlasting Spirit
” "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:14).
“The eternal God is a hiding place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; and He drove out the enemy from you, and said, ‘Destroy!’" (Deuteronomy 33:27).
The Holy Spirit is omnipotent.
God is omnipotent; He is all-powerful and can do anything that pleases Him, but His actions will always be in accord with the rest of His character.
"Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns" (Revelation 19:6).
"Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:17, 27).
“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4).
Christ said that he cast out demons through the power of the Spirit.
"But if I cast out the demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28)
He called for the disciples to wait to receive the Spirit’s power for ministry.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The Holy Spirit is attributed with creation.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters" (Genesis 1:1-2).
These verses suggest that the Holy Spirit is omnipotent, because they demonstrate that the Spirit has the same power as God.
The Holy Spirit is also omniscient—all-knowing.
God is omniscient, meaning He knows the past, present, and future, including what we are thinking at any given moment. Since He knows everything, His justice will always be administered fairly.
"O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before and laid Your hand upon me" (Psalm 139:1-5).
"For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths" (Proverbs 5:21).
"For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God" (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).
Christ said this about God “…with God all things are possible.”
"But Jesus looked at them and said, with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 (ESV).
The Spirit searches the deep things of God and knows the thoughts of God.
"These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).
This would make the Spirit all-knowing because God is all-knowing.
"For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything" (1 John 3:20).
The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent
God is omnipresent, meaning He is present everywhere, but this does not mean that God is everything. The Holy Spirit is God and therefore omnipresent.
"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb" (Psalm 139:7-13).
"Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord, and not a God far off?" (Jeremiah 23:23).
The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent and everywhere. King David said this:
"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me" (Psalm 139:7-10).
As God is everywhere, so is the Holy Spirit.
"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!" (1 Kings 8:27).
"Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:23-24),
The fact that the Holy Spirit has the attributes of God is proof of his deity.
References of Relation to Jesus and God
The final evidence of the Spirit’s deity is the fact that he is often mentioned in relation to the other persons of the Godhead. Sixteen times the Spirit is related by name to the other two persons of the Trinity.
“When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this” (Acts 16:7).
“Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11).
The Holy Spirit is referred to both as the “Spirit of Jesus” and the “Spirit of God.” His being related to the other persons of the Trinity clearly demonstrates the Spirit’s deity.
Jesus was clear that to be “born again,” to become a Christian, one must be born “of the Spirit.”
"Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God"(John 3:5).
Holy Spirits Deity Seen in Relationship to the Life and Ministry of Jesus
Jesus Was Conceived BY Holy Spirit
"The angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God"(Luke 1:35).
Jesus Was Anointed BY Holy Spirit for Service
"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38).
Jesus Was Led BY Holy Spirit
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" (Matthew 4:1).
Jesus Was Crucified BY Power of Holy Spirit
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:14).
Jesus Was Raised from the Dead BY Power of Holy Spirit
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11).
Believers desire to worship, pray to, and honor the Holy Spirit because He is God. Although Scripture does not provide a clear instance of praying or worshiping the Spirit, He is God co-equal with the Father and the Son and thus deserves the same reverence. It is wise to pray to the Spirit for the roles Scripture assigns to Him, such as enlightening us to God’s Word (1 Corinthians 2:12-13), empowering us (Ephesians 5:18), and emboldening us to proclaim God’s Word (Acts 4:31). It is often recommended to pray to the Heavenly Father in Jesus' name by the power of the Holy Spirit, which seems to appropriately honor the Trinity in prayer.
This is part 1 of a 4-part series on God the Holy Spirit. The next in the Series is:
Who Needs God the Holy Spirit? (part 2 - Ministries)
The Holy Spirit is indispensable to all. Without Him, knowing God or escaping sin and death is unattainable. As the Trinity's third person, the Holy Spirit is God Himself, endowed with a unique personality. His role is critical in both the redemption of nonbelievers and the ongoing life of the regenerate believer. Originating from both God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son, He shares in the fullness of God's eternal nature. For Christians, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a distinctive mark. Thus, grasping the Holy Spirit's work and essence is crucial, as His absence results in a perpetual separation from God due to sin. In "Who Needs the Holy Spirit" part 2 will address the Holy Spirits work with the unbeliever and His ministry to the believer.
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