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Just What is the Holy Spirit?

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Exactly who-or what-is the Holy Spirit? Many assume that the Holy Spirit, along with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son, form what is commonly known as the Trinity. This doctrine expresses a belief in one God who exists in three distinct but equal persons. Is the Holy Spirit a third divine person, along with God the Father and Jesus Christ?

The word Trinity doesn't appear anywhere in the Bible. It didn't come into common use as a religious term until after the Council of Nicea (A.D. 325), several centuries after the last books of the Bible were completed.

A.W. Tozer, in his book The Knowledge of the Holy, writes that the Trinity is an "incomprehensible mystery," and that attempts to understand it "must remain forever futile." He admits that churches, "without pretending to understand," have nevertheless continued to teach this doctrine. He concludes, "The fact that it [the Trinity] cannot be satisfactorily explained, instead of being against it, is in its favor" (Harper & Row, New York, 1961, pp. 17, 18, 23).

Unger's Bible Dictionary, in its article on the Trinity, concedes that the Trinitarian concept is humanly incomprehensible: "It is admitted by all who thoughtfully deal with this subject that the Scripture revelation here leads us into the presence of a deep mystery; and that all human attempts at expression are of necessity imperfect" (Moody Press, Chicago, 1966, p. 1118).

Why is the concept of the Holy Spirit as a third person of a supposedly triune Godhead, along with God the Father and Jesus Christ, so difficult to grasp?

Because the Bible does not teach it! You cannot prove something from the Bible that is not biblical. The Bible is our only reliable source of divine revelation and truth, and the Trinity concept is not part of God's revelation to humankind.

The Holy Spirit-the power of God

The Holy Spirit, rather than being a distinct person, is spoken of in the Bible as being God's divine power. The Anchor Bible Dictionary, in its article on the Holy Spirit, describes it as "[t]he manifestation of divine presence and power perceptible especially in prophetic inspiration" (Vol. 3, Doubleday, New York, 1992, p. 260).

Scripture refers to the Holy Spirit as the power of God (Zechariah 4:6; Micah 3:8). Paul told Timothy that it is the "spirit of ... power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, emphasis added throughout).

Luke 4:14 records that Jesus Christ began His ministry "in the power of the Spirit." Speaking of the Holy Spirit, which would be given to His followers after His death, Jesus told them, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you ..." (Acts 1:8).

Peter relates how "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, [and Jesus] went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38). The Holy Spirit is here associated with the power by which God was with Him-the power through which Jesus Christ performed mighty miracles during His earthly, physical ministry. The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God's power actively working in His servants.

The apostle Paul's desire was that the members of the church in Rome would "abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit," in the same way that Jesus Christ had worked through him "in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God" (Romans 15:13, 19).

Divine inspiration by the Spirit

Repeatedly the Scriptures reveal that God imparts His divine inspiration to His prophets and servants through the Holy Spirit. Peter noted that "prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21).

Paul stated that God's plan had been "revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets" (Ephesians 3:5), and that his own teachings were inspired by the spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13). Paul, in 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10, explains that God through His Spirit has revealed to us the things which He has prepared for those who love Him. God the Father is the Revealer, working through His Spirit in those who serve Him.

Jesus Christ told His followers that the Holy Spirit, which the Father would send to them, "will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26).

It is through God's Spirit within us that we can gain spiritual understanding and insight. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save [through] the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but [through] the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God" (1 Corinthians 2:11, 12).

Jesus Christ had this spiritual understanding in abundance. As the Messiah, He was prophesied to have "the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" (Isaiah 11:2).

Other attributes of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is spoken of in many ways that demonstrate that it is not a divine person. For example, the Holy Spirit is referred to as a gift (Acts 10:45; 1 Timothy 4:14). We are told that it can be quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19), that it can be poured out (Acts 2:17; 10:45), and that we are baptized with it (Matthew 3:11). It must be stirred up within us (2 Timothy 1:6), and it also renews us (Titus 3:5). These are certainly not attributes of a person.

This Spirit is also called "the Holy Spirit of promise ... the guarantee of our inheritance ... the spirit of wisdom and revelation ..." (Ephesians 1:13, 14, 17).

This Spirit is not only the Spirit of God the Father; it is also "the Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9; Philippians 1:19; 1 Peter 1:11). It dwells within Christians, leading and enabling us to be children of God (Romans 8:14).

In contrast to God the Father and Jesus Christ, who are consistently compared to human beings in their form and shape, the Holy Spirit is just as consistently represented in a completely different manner. It is described as appearing as a dove (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32) and as "tongues of fire" (Acts 2:3). Jesus Christ compared it with "living water" (John 7:37-39).

There is further evidence that the Holy Spirit is not a person, but is the divine power of God. In Matthew 1:20, we read that Jesus was begotten by the Holy Spirit (Moffatt translation). Yet Jesus Christ continually prayed to and addressed the Father, not the Holy Spirit, as His father (Matthew 10:32, 33; 11:25-27; 12:50; 15:13; 16:17, 27; 18:10, 35). He never represented the Holy Spirit as His Father.

Paul didn't acknowledge the Trinity

If God were a Trinity, surely the apostle Paul, who recorded much of the theological underpinnings of the early Church, would have understood and taught this understanding. Yet we find no such concept in his writings.

Paul's standard greeting in his letters to churches, as well as individuals to whom he wrote, is, "Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." There is no mention of the Holy Spirit.

This same greeting, with only minor variations, appears in every epistle that bears Paul's name: Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; and Philemon 3.

The Holy Spirit is always left out of these greetings-an unbelievable oversight if the Holy Spirit were indeed a person coequal with God and Jesus Christ.

This is even more surprising when we consider that the churches to which Paul wrote had many gentile members from polytheistic backgrounds who had formerly worshiped numerous gods. Paul's epistles record no attempt on his part to explain the Trinity or Holy Spirit as a divine person equal with God the Father and Jesus Christ.

In Paul's writings, only in 2 Corinthians 13:14 is the Holy Spirit mentioned along with God the Father and Jesus Christ, and there only about our "fellowship of the Holy Spirit" (New International Version) with God and Christ.

The apostle Paul states clearly that "there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things ... and one Lord Jesus Christ ..." (1 Corinthians 8:6). He makes no mention of the Holy Spirit as a divine person.

Other perspectives

Jesus Christ did not speak of the Holy Spirit as a third divine person; instead He only spoke of the relationship between Him and God the Father (Matthew 26:39; Mark 13:32; 15:34; John 5:18, 22; 8:16, 18; 10:30; 13:3; 17:11). Some passages, like Christ's reference to the "Helper" or "Comforter" in John 14, 15 and 16, could easily be read as referring to a person. However, there is no reason to do so from the original language (see supplement article "Grammar Confuses the Nature of the Holy Spirit").

Most Bible scholars, as pointed out in many translation notes, agree that the one biblical passage that most obviously supports a Trinity-the latter portion of 1 John 5:7 and the beginning of the following verse-is readily acknowledged by Bible scholars as a spurious addition made long after John's epistle was written. The Expositor's Bible Commentary dismisses this passage as "obviously a late gloss with no merit" (Vol. 12, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, 1981, p. 353).

In the final book of the Bible (and the last to be written), the Holy Spirit is conspicuously absent. The book describes "a new heaven and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1) wherein "the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them" (verse 3). Jesus Christ, "the Lamb," is also there (verse 22). The Holy Spirit, however, is completely missing-an incredible oversight if this Spirit is the third person of a Trinity. 

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Comments

  • Mike Haynes

    The question is not whether the Holy Spirit is a third person of the godhead, rather how many Holy Spirits are there?
    Scripture reveals that the Father is a spirit ( Jn 4:24 ). Also, Christ is a spirit ( 1 Cor 15:45 ).
    Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Paul reveals that the Lord is that spirit ( 2 Cor 3:17 ). Jesus Himself stated that He would come to Christians in the form of the comforter
    ( Jn 14:18, 16:7 ). He also stated that both He and His father would come to Christians and abide in them ( Jn14:23 ).
    Secondly, both Christ and His Father are Holy ( Mk 1:24, Heb 7:26, Acts 2:27, Jn 17:11, 1 Pet 1:15-16 ).
    From scripture we c an conclude that there are 2 Holy Spirits at the present time. We have the Awesome potential to become Holy Spirits as well. ( 1 Jn 3:2 )
    The follow up question would be: How can these 2 Holy Spirits dwell in each believer. That is where the power of God comes into play. There is no trinity where the Holy Spirit is a third person of the Godhead as demonstrated. The Holy Spirit that dwells in believers is a combination of the Spirit of Christ and our Father.

  • Vincent.matshoba@gmail.com

    Acts 13:2 says... As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

    If He was not a third and coequal Person of the Trinity, how would the Holy Spirit give instructions, and speak in the Authority of God herein set out, and call selected people to ministry?

  • MastaofInsanity

    Peter clearly asks Ananias how Satan has filled his heart that he has lied to the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:3

  • hifromeddie

    In Ephesians (4:30) it says not to grieve the Holy Spirit. Only someone with a personality can be grieved. In Romans 8:27 it speaks about the mind of the Spirit. Romans 15:30 speaks about the love of the Spirit. The Spirit searches the deep things of God, and has a will etc., etc., etc. Many new age people and mystical religions sometimes use the term "Spirit" as some "thing" or power or energy source with no personality or consciousness of its own. Your definition of the holy Spirit seems to go along with that theme. But maybe the power you describe is more akin to the grace and enabling power of God flowing through the Holy Spirit to us if we don't quench or grieve the Spirit and yield in obedience.

  • andrewfs
    Imagine you are on a small island standing on the shore. The sun is shining, and it's reflection is dancing on the water. There will be times when clouds obscure your view, and there will be times you may chose to hide in the shade from the sun. God is the sun and He also controls the weather. Jesus is the reflection in the water. The Holy Spirit is the warmth and comfort you feel from the sun and its reflection. How much sun and reflection you get is dependent on where you stand on that island as well as whether there are clouds. God at times may part the clouds so that you can better see the sun, its reflection, and feel the warmth. You may at times curse that the sun and its reflection is there or not there, but if you curse the warmth and comfort of the sun you are really cursing the sun, its reflection, and all of creation (which is not just God, but all His works). What warms and comforts you is both the energy of the sunlight itself and the decision by God as to how much sunlight you are getting. In that way, the comfort is BOTH a force and a being (a decision by God). Jesus provided a way for the clouds to part. We have to remember not to hide in the shade.
  • Heaven is near
    If you were in the Catholic's era. You would've died. Branded as Arians.... Matt 28:18-20 ...Holy Spirit has a name Heb 9:28 ... Jesus will appear again... Rev 3:12 ... Jesus said he'll give a NEW NAME... Jn 14:26 ... Jesus =Counselor =Holy Spirit... (In my name) refer to rev 3:12 new name.. Will remind you... Of what.? This means him coming a second time Will be a 1) person 2) with a new name 3) purpose is to remind of lost truths example: A) Passover abolished by Constantine AD325 ( now churches keep Easter est by Catholics. ) B) Sabbath abolished by Constantine AD321 ( now churches keep Sunday est by Catholics ) C) To expose Pagan worships who give excuses to worship the sun via Xmas, Sunday services etc... My question is... Do you know the Holy Spirit's name? If not how do u fulfill Mt 28:19?
  • mskumar
    Continuation..............! Isaiah 48:16 states "From the time that it was, there am I, and now the Adonai YHWH (GOD) has sent me, and His Spirit(HolySpirit)." Isaiah clearly tells GOD and His Spirit both are different beings. Romans 8:27 states "And He (GOD) who searches the hearts, knows what is the thinking of the Spirit (HolySpirit) that prays on behalf of the Set-Apart-Ones", Paul clearly tells that the HolySpirit(Ghost) has the capability of thinking its own, this clearly demonstrates that HolySpirit is a Separate Being beyond The Father and The Son. Putforth your comments....!
  • mskumar
    Hi Brothers, John 4:24 states "For Eloah is spirit........" and Genesis 1:2 states "And the Spirit of Elohim hovered over the face of the waters." ICorinthians 2:11 states "For who is the Son of Man who knows what is in a son of man except the Spirit of the Son of Man that [is] in him? So also, that which is in Eloah no man knows, except the Spirit of Eloah." ICorinthians 14:33 states "Because Eloah is not of confusion" I did get a Confusion that GOD(The Father) is a Spirit (John 4:24), and GOD's Spirit is clear as we look at (Genesis1:2) and according to (ICorinthians 2:11) it is clear that every Human Being had Spirit in him and his thoughts can be known by his own spirit which is in him whereas the above verses states that GOD HimSelf(alone) a Spirit and how does a Spirit can have a Spirit, as Paul refered to Man having a Spirit in him if Spirit of God not a separate being apart from GOD? Paul at the closing session of 2Corinthians states "The grace of the (1)Lord Jesus Christ, and (2)the love of God, and (3)the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." that means here he demonstrates three separate beings. continued......!
  • Sabrina Peabody
    so-of-God, What specifically are you asking about the verse? Maybe you could check out some resources on the holy spirit to help give you an answer? Check out http://www.ucg.org/doctrinal-beliefs/why-holy-spirit-called-he-and-him/ and http://www.ucg.org/booklet/god-trinity/gods-nature-and-character/
  • so-of-God
    Funny people. Reminds me of "the six blind men from Hindustan" poem. Find that poem and laugh at yourselves. By the way, what do you say about Romans 8:16, 26-27.
  • Ivan Veller
    Re: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’” (Acts 13:2 ESV). See also: “the Spirit said to Philip (Acts 8:29); “the Spirit said to [Peter]” (Acts 10:19b); “as the Holy Spirit says” (Hebrews 3:7-8a). “Acts 13:2-3… ‘God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers’ (1 Corinthians 12:28… ‘…the Holy Spirit has made you overseers…’ (Acts 20:28)… ‘…Christ Jesus our Lord…pu[t] me into the ministry” (1 Timothy 1:12)”: http://members.ucg.org/papers/governance.pdf Re: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26 ESV). “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30 ESV). “[Our] living Savior…, as High Priest, intercedes for us with the Father (1 Timothy 2:5 [“there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (ESV 2011)]; Hebrews 4:15-16; Romans 8:26-27)”: http://www.ucg.org/booklet/fundamental-beliefs/three-days-and-three-nights/
  • Ivan Veller
    Hello Berg, Re: “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:27, ESV 2011). “The Holy Spirit is the very nature, presence and expression of God's power…[2 Peter 1:4; Gal. 2:20]…it is through His Spirit that God has revealed…the things He has prepared for those who love Him [1 Cor. 2:9-16]. Working through the Spirit, God the Father is the revealer of truth to those who serve Him. Jesus told His followers that the Holy Spirit, which the Father would send, ‘will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you’ [Jn. 14:26]. It is through God's Spirit within us that we gain spiritual insight and understanding. Indeed, we come to receive the very ‘mind of Christ’ [1 Cor. 2:16]—also referred to as the ‘mind of the Spirit’ (Romans 8:27). Christ had this spiritual comprehension in abundance…He was prophesied to have ‘the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord’ (Isaiah 11:2)” (“The Holy Spirit is Not a Person”): http://www.ucg.org/booklet/who-god/holy-spirit-not-person/
  • Spiritofpeace
    Dear tenderlove, You seem very positive about your Trinity of Godhead theory. Let's examine the following Scriptures: Matthew 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Now, question: Was the Spirit Christ gave up here His own spirit, or the spirit of the trinity?
  • Spiritofpeace
    Unfortunately, the proponents of the doctrine of trinity seem can't grasp what it means when Matthew 12:32 is quoted. The simple common sense is this, just as when someone who is in authority says to you, "Don't insult my intelligent." Likewise, Jesus sternly warned: "32. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in the coming age." Here obviously Jesus didn't mention the Father Who is also a person because the Father and Jesus, the Son, are ONE in Spirit, just like the human husband and wife are supposed to be one, but they are separate beings. However, the spirit of both shall one, one mind in unity. In other words, the Holy Spirit of God is the mind of God. It is God's intelligent, wisdom, and power. You must not speak against God's intelligent! or "Don't insult God's intelligent," Just as Jesus warned you in Matthew or you will not be forgiven!
  • berg

    Dear Scott and to other unbelievers of Holy Spirit as a person,

    Here is my question:

    1. Is Holy Spirit has no mind?

    2. Is Holy Spirit cannot speak?

    3. Is Holy Spirit has no feeling?

    If you answer "yes" on the above question, please give me a supported verse. Thank you and God bless!

  • AChristian

    Mark 12:31 - Do not do this.

    Do not blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. You can blaspheme against the son of man. (Which is that human part, and be forgiven) but not against the Spirit part.

    The Holy Spirit is the very Power of God and it's HIS POWER, therefore it is part of HIM !

    Do not be like the ones that did not believe who Jesus was when He came.

    Listen !

    First it was God speaking to man in different ways, then Jesus came in human form, which was another way God was communicating with man, now the Holy Ghost is here doing the same thing, talking to man, teaching man. IT IS ALL GOD, it was God speaking to man, it was God that dwelt among man through Jesus, and it is God now through by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    We can not behold All of God at this point it would destroy our sinful selves.

    When I visit my daughter I can't go to her in all my glory..., but I am dressed in something in the physical naturally and Spiritually. -----God
    Then sometime when I want to do something for her I send some one to her -----Jesus
    And then I can even send her a letter with my ways, comments, my spirit, that will be with her. ------the Holy Ghost.
    But you see, it is still me.

    If you pray, God will answer and reveal -- His Will -- unto you.

    Dear God, I pray that All men shall know the truth, in Jesus Amen.

  • David L. Nunn

    Hello Born Again Lee:

    I use the NKJV, but was not quoting it. It would have better for me to say that the whole family in heaven and earth, including Christ, are named after God the Father. The point is, there is no mention of the Holy Spirit in this verse. Thanks.

  • Born Again Lee

    Mr. Nunn,
    I enjoyed reading your entry. You brought up a some points that I hadn't thought of.

    However, I need to ask what Bible version says that "the whole family in heaven and earth is named in God the Father and God the Son." Every version I referenced says the the whole family derives its name from the Father. In fact, I can find nowhere in Scripture that says "God the Son."

  • David L. Nunn

    I used to believe in the trinity many years ago. However, God opened my eyes to the Truth on this and some other subjects about which I was simply wrong. Jesus said I and my Father are one (not 2/3rds). John 10:30. Among other verses, Colossians 2:2-3 decimates the trinity theory. It talks about "attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." If the Holy Spirit is a third co-equal being of the god head, how does God the Father and God the son possess ALL the knowledge and wisdom of God? If the Holy Spirit is a separate and co-equal being, where is His knowledge and wisdom?

    Also, the whole family in heaven and earth is named in God the Father and God the Son. Ephesians 3:14. Why isn't the family of heaven and earth also named after the Holy Spirit if the Holy Spirit is a person?

    If Jesus Christ is a co-equal being with the Holy Spirit in a three person trinity, why would Christ need to be "annointed" with the Holy Spirit? See Acts 10:38.

    As Mr. Britt pointed out twice, if the Holy Spirit is a person, then the Holy Spirit would be Christ's Father since Mary conceived of the Holy Spirit. If that is the case, then Jesus either had two fathers, or was confused about who His father was.

    There are just a lot of logic/scriptural problems with the trinity theory.

  • Steven Britt

    tenderlove,

    You wrote, "Almost every scripture on Holy Spirit tells you that the Holy Spirit is an active agent able to take decision, lead and do things according to his own will."

    I see no indication that the Spirit itself is a thinking entity. The following explanation from our booklet on the trinity explains the distinction in this way:

    "Consider, for example, that if a man's hand takes hold of a book and lifts it, we can say the man lifted the book. This does not make the hand a separate person. Nor does it mean that the hand is the man. The hand is merely part of, or an extension of, the man. And it is the agency through which the man is acting. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is the agency through which God—Father or Son or both—acts. Of course, the Holy Spirit is far more than a hand. It is the very power, mind and life essence of God."

    I know of no scripture that contradicts this teaching, and in my perception it fits the actual scriptures much better than the idea of the Spirit being a separate person.

    John 5:37 is the verse saying that no one has heard the Father's voice at any time. A hint at the existence of the Father is given in a vision in Daniel 7, when the "one like the Son of Man" (i.e. Christ) comes into the temple to meet the "Ancient of Days." There is no 3rd figure mentioned in any future prophecy of God's Kingdom.

    You said, "If you accepted the Word to be a being, why do you think the Spirit cannot be a being?" Because the bible reveals plainly that the Word is a being in John 1. If the Spirit is indeed an entity as you assert, then the bible does not reveal this knowledge and in fact does very much to obscure it. Because there is no such concept as the Holy Spirit being a person in Judaism, this is something that, if it were true, would represent a drastic and fundamental change in understanding. In that case, we should have at least some record of the apostles explaining to the Jews who made up most of the early Church - but no such explanation is found. Instead, it seems more reasonable that the Jewish Christians understood the Spirit to be the power of God, just as they always had, that dwells in New Covenant Christians the same way that they understood it to dwell in David.

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