Who is the Holy Spirit?

When we think about God our minds often go to images of the Father or Jesus the Son. According to Scripture, the Holy Spirit stands alongside God the Father and Jesus as equal in divinity and personality while actively participating in our salvation and mission. The Holy Spirit is himself God Himself rather than being an impersonal force or an abstract divine influence because His presence extends from creation’s start to the renewal of all things.

This blog examines the identity of the Holy Spirit through His biblical revelation and His roles as a person and God within the Trinity, along with His mission and work in salvation.

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

The Holy Spirit existed before Pentecost and actively participated in events throughout the Old Testament. In fact, the very opening verses of Scripture introduce us to the Spirit: “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2, NIV). The Holy Spirit played a role in creation from the very start by introducing order and life into the universe.

The Spirit functions by granting people the power to undertake particular duties: “Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him” (Judges 6:34, NIV). Similarly, “The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him [Samson] so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat” (Judges 14:6, NIV). The Spirit granted power to leaders and craftsmen, including Bezalel: “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills” (Exodus 31:3, NIV).

The prophets foretold of an era when the Spirit would be bestowed upon people more extensively: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28, NIV). The promise indicated an expansive work of the Spirit that would go beyond the selective anointings found in Old Testament times.

Another significant verse comes from Ezekiel, who prophesied about a future renewal through the Spirit: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Ezekiel 36:26-27, NIV).

The Holy Spirit in the New Testament

The New Testament documents the Holy Spirit’s purpose with greater clarity, particularly through Jesus’ life and teachings. During Jesus’ baptism: “When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:21-22, NIV). The Spirit anointed Jesus for His ministry, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18, NIV, quoting Isaiah 61:1).

Jesus promised the coming of the Spirit to His followers: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17, NIV). The Holy Spirit chose to reside inside them instead of offering only external support.

At Pentecost, believers received the Holy Spirit in full measure: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4, NIV). Peter interpreted the event as the realisation of Joel’s prophecy (Acts 2:16-21). From that moment on, the Spirit empowered the church for witness, mission, and ministry: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NIV).

The Holy Spirit functions as an essential component in the process of salvation: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5, NIV). The Spirit convicts of sin (John 16:8). Our adoption as God’s children becomes certain: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16, NIV). Paul also writes: “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13-14, NIV).

The Holy Spirit as Person and God

The Holy Spirit exists as a personal being rather than just a force or energy. Jesus refers to the Spirit with personal pronouns: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26, NIV). The Spirit speaks (Acts 13:2), grieves (Ephesians 4:30), and intercedes (Romans 8:26).

The Bible confirms that the Holy Spirit possesses divine nature. Peter said: “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit... You have not lied just to human beings but to God” (Acts 5:3-4, NIV).

The Nicene Creed affirms: “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.”  The Apostles’ Creed states: “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” Basil the Great taught: “Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, ascended into the kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children of God.” Athanasius similarly affirmed: “God gives the Spirit, and therefore the Spirit given by God is truly of God’s own nature.”

The Holy Spirit within the Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity holds that God is one in essence but three in persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While each person within the Trinity stands as fully divine and possesses equal status and eternal existence, they remain distinct. The Spirit proceeds from the Father—and in Western doctrine, from the Son—to glorify the Son: “He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you” (John 16:14, NIV).

Scripture offers multiple instances of the Trinity’s presence: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NIV); and Paul’s blessing: “May 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, NIV).

The Holy Spirit in Salvation and Empowerment

Jesus told Nicodemus: “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5, NIV). Paul writes: “For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13, NIV).

The Spirit also transforms: “And we all... are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV). And produces fruit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV).

The Spirit empowers mission: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them” (1 Corinthians 12:4, NIV).

Craig Keener writes: “The Spirit is both God’s empowering presence and the means by which the community continues Jesus’ mission on earth” (Gift and Giver, 2001). J.I. Packer described the Spirit’s role as “a floodlight ministry... Look at him, and see his glory; listen to him, and hear his word; go to him, and have life” (Keep in Step with the Spirit, 1984).

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit represents God as the third person of the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son. He empowered creation, biblical leaders, Jesus, and the church. We receive regeneration, sanctification, and empowerment through Him.

The Nicene Creed declares: “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life...” The Apostles’ Creed affirms: “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” 

Our calling is to believe in and actively partner with the Spirit as we extend Christ’s kingdom.

Come, Holy Spirit.