The Holy Spirit

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The Holy Spirit is a term that refers to the Spirit of God.

Holy Spirit is a term that refers to the Spirit of God. It first appears in the book of Genesis. In the first chapter, it says, “The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2); the “Spirit of God” is the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word rúakh (רוּחַ), which means god or spirit, is written in Greek as pneuma (πνεῦμα) in the New Testament.[1] Rúakh and pneuma also refer to wind, breath, and breathing.

What Is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God who prays[2] and grieves for the saints.[3] He is not an intangible, active force. According to the Trinity, He is God the Father and God the Son. In other words, He is in very nature God. From the beginning until now, He has always worked with the people of God throughout the ages[4][5] and came in the flesh as Jesus 2,000 years ago.[6] When Christians receive the power of the gospel from God, they say that they have “received the Holy Spirit.” The Bible prophesies that the Spirit will appear in the last days and give mankind the water of life.[7][8]

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit Is God Who Is in Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. God and His Spirit are not different from each other, but the same. It is because God is Spirit by nature.

God is spirit.

John 4:24


As we ourselves have a spirit within us that can fully understand our thoughts, the Spirit searches the thoughts and even the deep things of God. This is because He is God Himself. This would be impossible if the Holy Spirit were a separate being from God. It is because no one knows the thoughts of God except God.[9]

The Holy Spirit and God the Son Are the Same

The Old Testament prophesied that God the Father would come to this earth in the flesh, being born as a son.[10] According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus fulfilled this prophecy[11] and was conceived through the Holy Spirit.[6] This means that God the Father and God the Son are the same, and that God the Father and the Holy Spirit are the same, and that Jesus is the Holy Spirit Himself. There are many places in the Bible that show that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same.

  • Apostle Paul wrote that the Holy Spirit prayed for the saints, and he also wrote that Jesus prayed for the saints.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will . . . Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Romans 8:26–34

  • Apostle Peter said that the Bible was written by men being carried along by the Holy Spirit, and he also wrote that prophets were moved by the Spirit of Christ.

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20–21

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

1 Peter 1:10–11

  • The Bible also records what the Spirit does as being done by Jesus or the Spirit of Jesus.

[H]aving been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. . . . but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

Acts 16:6–7


Through these words, we can understand that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and the same.

The Holy Spirit Is the Savior in the Age of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit also refers to the Second Coming Christ, the Savior in the Age of the Holy Spirit. There are many Bible verses that prove this.

  • The name of the Holy Spirit was mentioned along with the name of the Father, who was the Savior in the Age of the Father, and the name of the Son, who was the Savior in the Age of the Son. This means that the name of the Holy Spirit is the name of the Savior in the Age of the Holy Spirit.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 28:19–20


In the book of Revelation, the name of the Holy Spirit is prophesied as the new name of Jesus.[12][13] Therefore, the “Holy Spirit” in Matthew 28:19 refers to Second Coming Christ who is the Savior in the Age of the Holy Spirit.

  • In Revelation 19, there is a prophecy that the Lamb and His wife will appear and hold a wedding banquet in the last days.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” . . . Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Revelation 19:7–9


The “Lamb” refers to Jesus.[14] In this verse, the Lamb refers to Second Coming Jesus because He appears with the Bride; Jesus did not appear with the Bride at His first coming. However, in the same book, it is prophesied that “the Spirit and the Bride” will appear and give mankind the water of life. This means that Second Coming Jesus is the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Revelation 22:17

  • In regard to His second coming, Jesus also said that He would send the Counselor with a different name.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. . . . But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

John 14:16–20


Jesus said that He would send the Counselor, and that He Himself would come. This means that He would come again as the Counselor. In the Bible, the “Counselor” indicates the Holy Spirit.[15] Through these words, we can see that Jesus, who comes a second time, is the Holy Spirit.

Misunderstanding and Truth About the Holy Spirit

Is the Holy Spirit some active force like an electric wave or energy?

Some insist that the Holy Spirit is simply some active force or energy of God; however, the Bible clearly says that the Holy Spirit has thoughts and emotions.

Evidence Verse and Explanations
He is grieved. Verse And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.(Ephesians 4:30)
Explanation The Holy Spirit judges and worries about the saints when they do wrong.
He groans, prays, and thinks. Verse In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.(Romans 8:26–27)
Explanation Only beings that have thoughts and emotions can groan. Praying for us also means that He understands the difficulties of the saints, has concern for them, and has the ability to think. The expression the “mind” of the Spirit also supports this.
He speaks to the saints. Verse The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”(Acts 8:29)

While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” (Acts 10:19–20)

Explanation It was the Spirit who told Philip and Peter what to do. This means that the Spirit can think of what to say and express it.

Do angels function as the Holy Spirit?

Some people say that there is no difference between angels and the Holy Spirit or that angels function as the Holy Spirit. When we look inside the Bible, however, we can see that there is a great difference between angels and the Holy Spirit.

  • In the Bible, angels are described in the plural form[16] and the Spirit is described in the singular.[17][18]
  • Angels can rebel against God and be thrown into hell.[19] In the Bible, it also says that the saved people can judge angels.[20] There are no records that say the Spirit is sentenced to judgment.
  • It is written that angels long to look into the gospel preached by those who are moved by the Holy Spirit.[21] This means that angels do not know the mysterious administration of God; however, the Spirit searches all things―even the deep things of God.[22]

We have to speak in tongues if we have received the Holy Spirit?

First, we need to understand what it means to receive the Holy Spirit. In this context, the Holy Spirit does not refer to God who is in spirit but the Holy Spirit as a gift. The power of the Holy Spirit is displayed through those whom the Spirit is with. Such power or talent is called the gift of the Holy Spirit which is given through His grace.[23] Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit is often expressed as receiving the Holy Spirit. The reason people misunderstand that the Holy Spirit is some kind of energy of God or an electric wave is because they do not properly distinguish the Holy Spirit from the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Some insist that we must speak in tongues as proof of having received the Holy Spirit (or proof of having received the gifts of the Holy Spirit). In the book of Acts, there is a record about the apostles who kept the Day of Pentecost, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and preached the gospel in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them.[24] Through the Bible, we can understand that speaking in tongues is not the only gift that the Holy Spirit grants. Although there is one Holy Spirit, there are many different kinds of gifts of the Holy Spirit.[25] Therefore, speaking in tongues cannot be the only proof of having received the Holy Spirit.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

Apostle Paul preaches the word of God to the citizens of Athens. The Holy Spirit of Pentecost became a catalyst for spreading the gospel all over the world.

The power of the Holy Spirit is displayed through those who are with the Holy Spirit, and the amazing work of salvation takes place through them. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came to specific people such as a judge or a prophet, and gave them the power to solve problems or prophesy. In the New Testament, however, the power of the Holy Spirit came upon all the disciples who devoted themselves to prayer.[24] This means that the time came for the Holy Spirit to work through all who were purified by the blood of Christ.[25][26][27]

The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Time of the Early Church

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus said, “Until the Holy Spirit comes, do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about.”[28] Following the words of Christ, they gathered in Jerusalem, joining together in prayer.[29]
On the fiftieth day after Jesus’ resurrection, suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. The power of the Holy Spirit descended upon them, which gave them the ability to speak in different languages.[24]
The disciples, who were clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit, preached the gospel in languages they did not know. In one day, after hearing about the gospel in their native tongues, 3,000 people repented and were baptized.[30] As the number of people who believed in Jesus increased every day, the leaders of Judaism threatened and imprisoned the apostles. Rather than giving in to persecution, the apostles preached God’s word more boldly with one mind and the gospel spread throughout the world.

Prophecy About the Holy Spirit of the Latter Rain

The Bible prophesied that in the Age of the Holy Spirit, the work of the Holy Spirit would take place and would be seven times greater than that of the early Church.[31]

  • At the time of Jesus’ first coming, the grace of the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon those who believed in Jesus and received Him. In the Age of the Holy Spirit, those who receive and believe in the Spirit and the Bride can receive the Holy Spirit. This is because the knowledge of God is the prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit of the latter rain.

“Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Hosea 6:3

  • The prophet Zechariah prophesied that God would pour out the Holy Spirit of the latter rain,[32][33] and explained how to receive the Holy Spirit.

Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain...

Zechariah 14:16–19


When we learn about the matters of the soul, we come to understand that we are sinners;[34] however, if we are purified through the blood of Christ by keeping the feasts of the new covenant, our bodies become the temple of God where the Holy Spirit can dwell.[35] It is prophesied that those who keep the Feast of Tabernacles will receive the Holy Spirit of the latter rain. To confirm this, Jesus preached in the temple every day during the Feast of Tabernacles and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” on the last day of the Feast.[36]

  • In conclusion, we must ask God to grant us the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.

Zechariah 10:1


See also

References

  1. ↑ "pneuma". Biblehub.
  2. ↑ "Romans 8:26–27".
  3. ↑ "Ephesians 4:30".
  4. ↑ "2 Samuel 23:1–2".
  5. ↑ "Acts 8:29".
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Matthew 1:18-23".
  7. ↑ "Revelation 22:17".
  8. ↑ "Acts 2:18, 33".
  9. ↑ "1 Corinthians 2:10–11".
  10. ↑ "Isaiah 9:6–7".
  11. ↑ "Luke 1:31–33".
  12. ↑ "Revelation 3:12".
  13. ↑ "Revelation 2:17".
  14. ↑ "John 1:29".
  15. ↑ "John 14:26".
  16. ↑ "Hebrews 1:14".
  17. ↑ "Ephesians 4:4".
  18. ↑ "1 Corinthians 12:13".
  19. ↑ "2 Peter 2:4".
  20. ↑ "1 Corinthians 6:3".
  21. ↑ "1 Peter 1:12".
  22. ↑ "1 Corinthians 2:10–11".
  23. ↑ "Acts 1:6–8".
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "Acts 2:1–4".
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "1 Corinthians 12:4–11".
  26. ↑ "Hebrews 6:4".
  27. ↑ "Romans 8:9".
  28. ↑ "Acts 1:4–5".
  29. ↑ "Acts 1:12–14".
  30. ↑ "Acts 2:38–41".
  31. ↑ "Isaiah 30:26".
  32. ↑ "Zechariah 13:1".
  33. ↑ "Zechariah 14:8".
  34. ↑ "1 John 1:8–10".
  35. ↑ "1 Corinthians 3:16-17".
  36. ↑ "John 7:37–39".
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