The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity, coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son. He is not a force or an influence but a divine person with intellect, will, and emotion. The Bible clearly presents the Holy Spirit as God, active in creation, regeneration, sanctification, and the daily life of the believer.
The Holy Spirit was present at creation:
“The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)
He was involved in the incarnation:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
He convicts the world of sin:
“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” (John 16:8)
The Holy Spirit regenerates the believer at salvation:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)
He indwells all who are truly saved:
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
He teaches and reminds believers of truth:
“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 things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)
The Spirit enables believers to walk in obedience:
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
He distributes spiritual gifts for the edification of the church:
“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:11)
The Holy Spirit also intercedes in prayer:
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses… the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26)
The presence of the Holy Spirit is the seal of salvation:
“In whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13)
The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, not Himself. He leads, convicts, comforts, and empowers believers to live in truth and holiness. The Spirit is fully God, deserving of worship and reverence, and essential to the Christian life.
