Who is The Holy Spirit?

What does the Bible say about the Holy Spirit?

Who is The Holy Spirit? While no one has ever actually asked me a question which was worded in exactly that fashion, I have been asked about the essence of this question on more than one occasion. Also, it should be noted that, in undertaking a study of the Holy Spirit, it is absolutely essential that this question be asked and answered, in order to lay a proper foundation upon which full understanding of the subject may be built. In answering this question, it is not my intention to engage in idle speculation about the nature of the Holy Spirit, nor is it my intention to advance unsubstantiated theories about the Holy Spirit, but simply to document what the Bible says about the subject.

It is important to understand that the Holy Spirit is a living being. While the Spirit of God is without gender, it can hardly be said that He is merely an “it,” with no personification (Romans 8:26-27). It is true that the Greek word which is translated “Spirit” in English versions of the New Testament literally means “a current of air, such as a breath, blast, breeze, etc.,” but this does not mean that the Holy Spirit is just a wil-o-wisp, with no sentient qualities. According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit has a mind (Romans 8:27), He has a will (Acts 16:7; 21:11-14), He has knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:1-13), He can speak (1 Timothy 4:1), He can teach (Nehemiah 9:20), He searches (1 Corinthians 2:10), He helps (Romans 8:26), He strives (Genesis 6:3), He loves (Romans 15:30), He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), He can be lied to (Acts 5:3-4), He can lead, or forbid (Acts 16:6-7) and He can command, call, or send (Acts 13:2-4). It is difficult for the human mind to conceive of the “form of God,” because God is a spirit (John 4:24), and is not composed of flesh and bone (Luke 24:39). However, it should be noted that, while the Bible does not say exactly what the Holy Spirit looks like, there is plenty of reason to believe that His “form” is very much like that of the other members of the Godhead (Philippians 2:6).

It is important to understand that the Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead. In the simplest of terms, “Godhead” is synonymous with “Godhood,” and may be described as the state, or office, or quality of being God. The most common Hebrew word for God is a plural term, and the second most common Hebrew word for God is considered to be the Jewish name for God (Psalms 83:18). Both of these terms appear in Deuteronomy 6:4, which reads, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:” This passage sets forth the idea that, although the Godhead is composed of three persons, there is only one God. As 1 John 5:7 affirms, “there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

The Holy Spirit is usually referred to as the “Third Person” of the Godhead. This does not mean that He is of lesser importance and power than the Father and the Son. According to Hebrews 9;14, the Holy Spirit is eternal, just like the Father and the Son. According to Micah 3:8, He is omnipotent, just like the Father and the Son. According to 1 Corinthians 2:10, He is omniscient, just like the Father and the Son. According to Psalm 139:7, He is omnipresent, just like the Father and the Son.

The role of the Holy Spirit within the context of the Godhead has been described as that of “organizer,” with the Father being the “planner,” and the Son being the “executor.” One of the best examples of this arrangement is seen in the creation of the universe, in which the Father commanded (Genesis 1:1), the Son created (John 1:3), and the Holy Spirit brooded (Genesis 1:2). In addition to this, the Holy Spirit is responsible for inspiring the writers of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:12-21), and for the miraculous conception of Jesus (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35), among other things.

The Bible reveals much about the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. While there are many misconceptions about who the Holy Spirit is, and what He does, the Word of God makes it possible for us to know the truth about the Spirit of God. In the final analysis, we must not trust the teaching of men on this issue, but rather we must place our truth in the Word of our Heavenly Father, which will not lead us astray.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what to pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” – Romans 8:26