Who Is the Holy Spirit?

As a brief introduction, I want to make sure that everyone is on the same page as to some basic truths about the person of the Holy Spirit. It’s important that we know a few basic things about Who He is, so that we know the One Who dwells inside of us and wants to fill us.

The Holy Spirit Is GOD

The 1st thing we need to know is that the Holy Spirit is in fact God. I realize that this is a basic Biblical fact but it is denied by most of the cults, and even seems to be denied by many in the Christian Church who behave as if the Spirit of God is Someone that they command, as if He is at their beck and call. Here are some Scriptures that prove that the Holy Spirit is God:

“Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I go up into Heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the furthest parts of the sea; even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10

This passage tells us that the Holy Spirit is omnipresent, as only God is. Therefore, He is God.

But as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard," nor has it entered into the heart of man, "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man within him? So also no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, so that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-12

So the Holy Spirit knows the heart of God, as only God could, and He reveals it to us. Therefore He is God.

Here are two Scriptures that, taken together, prove that the Holy Spirit is both God and the ultimate author of Scripture:

All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness… 2 Timothy 3:16

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture came into being of its own private interpretation. For prophecy was not borne at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke being borne along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20,21

These two Scriptures go together to prove that first, all of Scripture was breathed by God; and second, that Scripture was breathed by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Spirit is revealed to us as God.

But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart for you to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own authority? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. Acts 5:3,4

So lying to the Holy Spirit is the same as lying to God. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is God.

In these passages as well as others, we find that the Bible reveals the Holy Spirit to us as God – every bit as much God as God the Father or Jesus. That means that when He comes into our lives, He brings with Him all the attributes of God. So when we carry the Spirit of God into a grocery store, we’re carrying the living God in with us. Moreover, He commands all the honor and reverence that God demands, and is not at our disposal; but rather we are to be at His. And to be baptized in the Spirit is to be immersed in all of the presence, power, love, wisdom of God Almighty.

While being Divine, the Holy Spirit is also revealed to us as being both a PERSON, and PERSONAL to us.

Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and join yourself to this chariot. Acts 8:29

The Holy Spirit speaks to us and guides us in a personal way.

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

So He teaches us and brings the Word of God to our remembrance, personally.

Then, indeed, the churches had rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and having been built up. And having gone on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were increased. Acts 9:31

So the Holy Spirit comforts us…

But I exhort you, brothers, for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me… Romans 15:30

The Holy Spirit loves us and wants to be loved by us.

And hope does not make us ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. Romans 5:5

It is a personal ministry of the Holy Spirit to make the love of God real to us.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed until the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

Because He is a Person, He experiences emotion, as God does, and He has even made Himself vulnerable to us by living inside of us, and He can be grieved by us.

So the Holy Spirit is a Person, and He desires a very personal relationship with us. He is not an “it”, or a “force”, like electricity or what’s talked about in Star Wars. He is not even just a voice inside of us, telling us what to do. He is as much God as the other members of the Trinity, and just as much of a person with feelings, desires and emotions as Jesus and the Father. Therefore, what we want to do is learn to be sensitive to that Person, follow His leadings like we would want to follow those of God the Father or of Jesus the Son.