A study of the third Person of the Trinity is called Pneumatology, from the Greek word pneuma (p?e?µa) meaning Spirit, wind or breath. Let’s explore who is the Holy Spirit.
Was the Holy Spirit involved in creation?
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2 HCSB)
Was the Holy Spirit prophesied to change men’s hearts?
“I will take away your stubborn heart and give you a new heart and a desire to be faithful. You will have only pure thoughts, because I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27 CEV)
What did Joel prophecy about a time which Acts 2 translates as “the last days”?
“It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.” (Joel 2:28 WEB; cf. Acts 2:17-18)
Who did John say would baptize people with the Holy Spirit?
“I [John] indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he [Jesus] that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11 KJV)
Should we ask God for the Holy Spirit?
“If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13 CEB)
Does the Holy Spirit lead us?
“He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth…” (John 14:17 NLT)
What is one of the Holy Spirit’s main jobs?
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26 KJV)
Who does the Holy Spirit bear witness about?
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” (John 15:26 ESV)
Can we be guaranteed that the New Testament is accurate? Would any “word” supposedly from the Holy Spirit ever contradict God’s Word?
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13 ESV)
What would the Holy Spirit give the Apostles?
“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)
How was the baptism of the Holy Spirit, poured out on Pentecost pictured? Is an immersion therefore the only picture of baptism?
“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” (Acts 2:3 NIV)
What extraordinary experience did the Holy Spirit give? Is there any indication that this would always occur?
“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.” (Acts 2:4 CEB)
Is the Holy Spirit a gift?
“Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ” (Acts 2:38 NASB)
What can the Holy Spirit do with ordinary believers?
“After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God’s word with confidence.” (Acts 4:31 CEB)
Did Ananias lie to the Holy Spirit? Did he lie therefore to God?
“Then 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)
Is there a condition to receiving the Holy Spirit?
“And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:32 NASB)
What does the Holy Spirit flood our hearts with?
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5 KJV)
Does having the Holy Spirit define whose side we are on?
“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.” (Romans 8:9 WEB)
What designation is given those led by the Spirit of God?
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14 NLT)
Does the Holy Spirit teach us?
“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13 NKJV)
Is the Nicene Creed correct when it calls the Holy Spirit “the Lord”?
“The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17 CEB)
Is the Holy Spirit mentioned as an equal with God the Father and God the Son?
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” (2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV)
What fruit does the Holy Spirit produce in our lives?
“God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” (Galatians 5:22-23 CEV)
What does the seal of the Holy Spirit mean?
“... when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” (Ephesians 1:13 NLT)
Are we saved by good works? Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit also called a washing?
“He saved us — not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5 HCSB)
The Holy Spirit is the third essence of the three realities that we call God. Do you believe this mystery, testified to by Holy Scripture and all true Christian churches? You decide!
