Who is the Holy Spirit?
There are many misconceptions about who is the Holy Spirit. Some view the Holy Spirit as a mystical force. Others understand the Holy Spirit as the impersonal power that God makes available to followers of Christ. But what does the Bible say about the identity of the Holy Spirit? Simply put, the Bible declares that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will. Jesus told His apostles... "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:16-18
The Holy Spirit is God
The Holy Spirit is not a vague, ethereal shadow, nor an impersonal force. He is a person equal in every way with God the Father and God the Son. (Jesus Christ) He is considered to be the third member of the Godhead. Jesus said to His Apostles... "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matt. 28:18-20 God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And all the divine attributes ascribed to the Father and the Son are equally ascribed to the Holy Spirit. When a person becomes born again by believing and receiving Jesus Christ John 1:12-13; John 3:3-21, God resides in that person through the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 3:16 The Holy Spirit has Intellect - 1 Cor 2:11, Emotion - Rom 15:30, and Will - 1 Cor 12:11
The Role of the Holy Spirit
A primary role of the Holy Spirit is that He bears "witness" of Jesus Christ John 15:26, John 16:14. He tells people's hearts about the truth of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also acts as a Christian's teacher. 1 Cor 2:9-14 He reveals God's will and God's truth to a Christian. Jesus told His disciples...
"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
"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." John 16:13
17 Functions of the Holy Spirit
1. He birthed the Son of God (Jesus) Luke 1:35
2. He convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgement John 16:8
3. He brings us into true Godly sorrow and repentance 2 Cor 7:10
4. He tells us things to come John 16:13
5. He permanently indwells us John 14:16-17
6. He always gives glory to the Father and speaks on behalf of the Father John 16:13
7. He is our Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counsellor, Strengthener) John 14:16-17
8. He seals us Eph 1:13
9. He teaches us John 14:26
10. He leads us and guides us into all truth John 16:13
11. He reminds us John 14:26
12. He bears fruit through us Gal 5:22-23
13. He comforts us John 16:7
14. He equips us with spiritual gifts 1 Cor 12:4-7
15. He fills us Eph 5:18
16. He empowers us Acts 1:8
17. He prays through us Eph 6:18
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit was given to live inside those who believe in Jesus, in order to produce God's character in the life of a believer. In a way that we cannot do on our own. The 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal 5:22-23 Rather than trying to be loving, patient and kind, God asks us to rely on Him to produce these qualities in our lives. Thus, Christians are told to walk in the Spirit Gal 5:25 and be filled with the Spirit. Eph 5:18 The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to perform ministerial duties that promote spiritual growth among Christians. Rom 12; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
In addition to the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Bible also tells us that there are 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit. If the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit are the "Cake," then the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit are the "Icing on the Cake." When a believer in Christ has both the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, you have one mighty sanctified Soldier in Christ. The 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit will give you some heavy ammunition to have at your disposal, as you walk with God's annointing in your life.
Each one of these gifts are major power gifts, and they are all supernatural and miraculous manifestations direct from the Holy Spirit Himself.
Any Christian can get themselves in a proper place to receive all these 9 gifts, as the apostle Paul himself tells us not to be afraid to try and stir up these 9 specific gifts with the Lord. 1 Cor 12:7-11
Additional Scriptures about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1 Cor 14:39; 1 Cor 14:1; 1 Thes 5:19; 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6
The 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit Are . . .
The Holy Spirit is For Non Christians
The Holy Spirit performs a function for non Christians as well. He convicts people's hearts of God's truth concerning how sinful we are, needing God's forgiveness; how righteous Jesus is, He died in our place, for our sins; and God's eventual judgment of the world and those who do not know Him. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. John 16:8-11 The Holy Spirit will tug at the heart and mind of a non Christian, asking him/her to repent and turn to God for forgiveness and a new life.
The Arrival of the Holy Spirit
On the day of Pentecost, the 12 Apostles were gathered together in a house when a terrific wind came from Heaven and filled the place. They saw tongues that looked like fire, that separated and came down on each of them. Immediately the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, who caused them to speak in tongues. The crowds of visitors were astonished because every pilgrim heard the Apostles speaking to him or her in their own foreign language! Some accused the apostles of being drunk. The Apostle Peter stood and addressed them, saying they were not drunk. It was only nine o'clock in the morning. Then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter preached boldly to them, explaining about Jesus Christ and God's plan of salvation. The crowd was so moved when Peter told them of their part in Jesus' crucifixion that they Asked the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Acts 2:37 The right response, Peter told them, was to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. He promised that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
