QUESTION:
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
ANSWER:
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity—fully God, distinct in personhood, who dwells within believers to convict, guide, empower, and transform them into the likeness of Christ.
The Significance of Knowing the Holy Spirit
One of the most profound and often overlooked truths in the Christian faith is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. While many believers strive to know the Father and the Son, they sometimes forget that it is the Holy Spirit who walks with us daily, speaks to us personally, and empowers us spiritually.
At the Great Commission, the Lord Jesus didn’t merely command the apostles to make disciples—He explicitly introduced the essential reality of the Holy Spirit. In John 17:3, Jesus defined eternal life as knowing “the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” But in Matthew 28:19, Jesus instructed that new disciples should be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” With this declaration, Jesus was revealing the equal standing of the Holy Spirit in the divine identity and calling believers to recognize and relate to Him just as we do with the Father and the Son.
Knowing the Holy Spirit is not optional—it is essential.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Throughout history, certain religious groups and pseudo-Christian sects (such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Oneness Pentecostals) have taught that the Holy Spirit is merely an impersonal force or the active power of God, much like a spiritual electricity. Others believe the Spirit is simply another name for God’s presence or energy. These views fall short of the biblical revelation.
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit is often referred to as the Spirit of God (e.g., Genesis 1:2; Psalm 139:7), which led many to associate Him directly with the Father. However, in the New Testament, a clearer picture emerges: the Holy Spirit is not just a divine power or presence—He is a distinct Person within the Trinity. He speaks (Acts 13:2), teaches (John 14:26), leads (Romans 8:14), and can even be grieved (Ephesians 4:30).
The Holy Spirit shares the same divine nature with the Father and the Son, yet operates with a distinct personality and role. He is not an “it,” but a “He.”
Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s Personhood
The original Greek word for “spirit,” pneuma, can mean “breath” or “wind.” But the Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit is far more than an invisible force. He possesses all the qualities of personhood:
-
Intellect – “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).
-
Will – “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
-
Emotion – “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30).
He speaks (Acts 10:19–20), intercedes (Romans 8:26), forbids (Acts 16:6), and testifies (John 15:26). These are not the actions of a force, but of a living, personal Being who knows and loves God’s people.
Divine Attributes of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God. He possesses every divine attribute:
-
Omniscience – “The Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).
-
Omnipresence – “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7).
-
Omnipotence – The Spirit empowered creation (Genesis 1:2) and resurrection (Romans 8:11).
-
Eternality – “Christ…through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God” (Hebrews 9:14).
-
Holiness – He is called the Holy Spirit—this alone marks His divine purity and separateness.
The Holy Spirit is not less than God. He is God.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian Life
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He did not leave us orphaned. He sent the Holy Spirit to take His place as our Advocate and Helper.
-
Indwelling Presence – “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
-
Teacher and Reminder – “He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26).
-
Empowerment – “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8).
-
Sanctifier – He transforms us daily into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
-
Giver of Gifts – He equips every believer to serve the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).
These are just a few of His roles—but we will explore them in more detail in related articles (linked below).
The Role of the Holy Spirit in the World
The Holy Spirit is not only active within believers but is also at work in the world.
Jesus said in John 16:8, “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
-
Conviction of Sin – The Spirit opens our eyes to the truth about our sin.
-
Conviction of Righteousness – He reveals the righteousness of Christ as the standard.
-
Conviction of Judgment – He warns of the coming judgment for those who reject God.
Many of us remember moments before we got saved—those moments when we felt uneasy, guilty, or broken. That was the Holy Spirit calling us to repentance. According to Romans 2:15, God uses even the conscience to speak to us, bearing witness to His truth. The difference between the saved and the unsaved is not the Spirit’s effort—it is whether we listened and responded to His call.
Final Thought: The Holy Spirit and Me
Imagine this: God is not only watching over you—He lives inside you.
Many Christians have imagined what it would be like to walk beside Jesus, to see His face and hear His voice. But Jesus Himself said, “It is to your advantage that I go away… if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).
The Father and the Son have sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. He is not a substitute; He is God Himself—our Counselor, Comforter, and Constant Companion.
Let us not grieve or ignore Him. Instead, let us walk in close fellowship with the Spirit, recognizing His voice, submitting to His leading, and rejoicing in His presence.
