Introduction

We must recognize that in dealing with the subject of the Holy Spirit, we do so with reverence, for we are on holy ground. When speaking of any of the Godhead, we cannot refer to any as being inferior or relegate them in our thinking.

The first point to make is that the Holy Spirit is a real person and not just a force or influence. The question is asked of Ananias, ‘why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?’ Acts 5. 3. We cannot lie to a force or an influence! We have that emphasized for us, for the scripture goes on to say, ‘thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God’, v. 4.

The word ‘trinity’, although not mentioned in scripture, denotes a truth clearly taught throughout the word of God. When thinking of a member of the Godhead, we are speaking of one that is not part God, but is God, in essence wholly God. It is not that they are part Father, part Son, and part Holy Spirit.

For example, we often refer to deity in terms of essential attributes. Words such as ‘omnipresent’ (present everywhere), omniscient (all knowing), and omnipotent (all powerful) are used.¹ These aspects are true of the Holy Spirit because He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. We note also that the three members of the Godhead are mentioned together in scripture.²

The subject of the Holy Spirit is so vast in scripture. He is mentioned in all but three of the New Testament books, and spoken of from Genesis³to Revelation.⁴ Indeed, without the Holy Spirit we would not have the scriptures, ‘for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost’, 2 Pet. 1. 21.

There are also many different titles of the Holy Spirit in the word of God, some of which tell us of His attributes, His work, or His person. As to His attributes, He is described as the Spirit of truth, of wisdom, of life, and of holiness. Of His work, He is described as the Comforter. As to His person, He is spoken of as the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Holy Spirit of God.⁵

The promise and coming of the Holy Spirit

The Lord speaks of His going to the Father, and that He would send another Comforter, ‘And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter’, John 14. 16. And He goes on to tell us who that will be, ‘even the Spirit of truth’, v. 17, and in verse 26 it is confirmed for us, ‘the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost’.

The word ‘Comforter’ is a translation of the word parakletos meaning One who is called alongside to help. It is also the same word that is used in 1 John chapter 2 verse 1, ‘If any man sin we have an advocate [same word] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous’. Notice how the Lord speaks of sending ‘another Comforter’, John 14. 16. Whenever this word ‘another’ is mentioned in scripture, it is either used of ‘another of a different kind’ or ‘another of the same kind’. The Lord is speaking, and what He says is, ‘I will send another [of the same kind] Comforter’. One of the Godhead.

The coming of the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Acts. This book is full of the Holy Spirit and could be described as ‘the Acts of the Holy Spirit’. This coming of the Holy Spirit was a once for all act on the day of Pentecost. The Lord had ascended back to the Father, and fifty days after the resurrection the Holy Spirit comes. ‘Pent’ means fifty. Luke records this for us in Acts chapter 2.

This event is pictured in the Feasts of Jehovah, Lev. 23. The Passover speaks of Calvary. The Feast of Firstfruits speaks of the resurrection, and then the Feast of Weeks comes fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits.

The coming of the Holy Spirit also signified the birth of the church, ‘they were all with one accord in one place’, Acts 2. 1, and were filled with the Holy Spirit. As we continue these studies, we will see that the Holy Spirit was involved in every aspect of us coming to Christ. John chapter 16 verse 8 tells us that He convicts the world of sin. It was as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit that we came under the sound of the gospel. Now, as believers, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us.

What a tremendous subject, but also what a challenge as we think of one of the Godhead dwelling within us as believers!