The Holy Spirit, also referred to as the Holy Ghost, is the third Person of the Holy Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is a central figure in Christian theology and is integral to the believer's life and the Church's mission.

Nature and Attributes

The Holy Spirit is fully divine, possessing all the attributes of God, including omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. The Spirit is described as eternal (Hebrews 9:14) and is involved in the creation and sustaining of the universe (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30). The Holy Spirit is also personal, possessing intellect, will, and emotions, as evidenced by His ability to teach (John 14:26), guide (John 16:13), and be grieved (Ephesians 4:30).

Role in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit is seen as active in creation (Genesis 1:2) and in empowering individuals for specific tasks. The Spirit came upon leaders, judges, and prophets to enable them to fulfill God's purposes (Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 10:10; 2 Samuel 23:2). The Spirit's work in the Old Testament often involved temporary empowerment for service rather than the indwelling presence experienced by New Testament believers.

Role in the New Testament

The New Testament reveals a fuller understanding of the Holy Spirit's work. The Spirit is instrumental in the conception of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18, 20) and is present at His baptism, descending like a dove and anointing Him for His ministry (Matthew 3:16). Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to His disciples, referring to Him as the "Helper" or "Comforter" (John 14:16-17, 26).

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers, marking the birth of the Church (Acts 2:1-4). This event fulfilled the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Jesus' promise of the Spirit's empowering presence (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit indwells believers, sealing them as God's own (Ephesians 1:13-14) and enabling them to live a life that reflects Christ's character (Galatians 5:22-23).

Work in the Believer's Life

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the believer's life. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11), and regenerates those who believe in Christ, making them new creations (John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5). The Spirit sanctifies believers, helping them grow in holiness and conform to the image of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2).

The Holy Spirit also equips believers with spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and empowers them for witness and service (Acts 1:8). He intercedes for believers in prayer, aligning their hearts with God's will (Romans 8:26-27).

The Holy Spirit and the Church

The Holy Spirit is the source of unity within the body of Christ, the Church (Ephesians 4:3-4). He guides the Church in truth, illuminating the Scriptures and revealing God's will (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12). The Spirit's presence is essential for worship, as believers are called to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

Throughout history, the Holy Spirit has been active in revivals, renewals, and the spread of the Gospel, continually working to glorify Christ and advance God's kingdom on earth.Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost

The third person in the blessed Trinity. He is said to proceed from the Father, and to be sent by the Father and the Son upon disciples, John 14:26 15:26; to be the Spirit of the Father, Matthew 10:20 1 1 Corinthians 2:11; and the Spirit of Christ, Galatians 4:6 Philippians 1:19.

That he is a real PERSON, and not merely an attribute or emanation of God, is clear from the numerous passages in the Bible which describes him as exercising the acts, thoughts, emotions, and volition of a distinct intelligent person. None other could be pleased, vexed, and grieved, could speak, console, and intercede, or divide his gifts severally to every one, as he will. So also, in Greek as in English, the personal masculine pronouns would be necessary.

That he is a DIVINE PERSON, equally with the Father, and the Son, is proved from his association with tem in a great variety of acts purely divine; as in the work of creation, Genesis 1:2 Psalm 33:6 104:30. He is honored as they are in the baptismal formula, Matthew 28:19, and in the apostolic benediction, 2 1 Corinthians 13:14. He receives the name, 2 1 Corinthians 3:17, and exercises the attributes of God, Romans 8:14 1 1 Corinthians 2:10 6:19 Hebrews 9:14. He is prayed to as God, Revelation 1:4,5; sin against him is sin against God, Acts 5:3,4 Ephesians 4:30; and blasphemy against him is unpardonable, Matthew 12:31.

The WORK of the Holy Spirit is divine. Of old, he inspired the sacred writers and teachers, and imparted miraculous gifts. Under the Christian dispensation, he applies the salvation of Christ to men's hearts, convincing them of sin, John 16:8,9; showing them "the things of Christ," illuminating and regenerating them, John 3:5 Ephesians 2:1. He is the Comforter of the church, aids believers in prayer, witnesses with and intercedes for them, directs them in duty, and sanctifies them for heaven.

4151. pneuma -- wind, spirit
... vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or
(divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit -- ghost, life, spirit(-ual ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4151.htm - 8k

Litanies of the Holy Ghost 204. Spirit Blest, who Art Adored
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Litanies of the Holy Ghost 204. Spirit blest, who art adored.
7.7.7.6 [783]Evelyn: , 1874. Richard F. Littledale, 1867. ...
/.../litanies of the holy ghost 3.htm

The Sin against the Holy Ghost.
... statement Jesus answered immediately that these persons had committed the sin against
the Holy Ghost, "because they said He had an unclean spirit." (Mark 3:30 ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxvii the sin against the.htm

Septuagesima 121. Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Septuagesima 121. Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost. ... Christopher
Wordsworth, 1862. Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost,. Taught by thee we covet most,. ...
/.../septuagesima 121 gracious spirit holy.htm

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
... the good confession, forsaking all, following Jesus, and upon whom He had breathed,
saying, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost " "receive the Holy Spirit only on the ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiv the outpouring of the.htm

The Holy Spirit in the Passion of Christ.
... The word of Scripture, "He was full of the Holy Ghost," refers not only to the
Person of the Holy Spirit, but also to His work in man's soul. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxii the holy spirit in.htm

The Holy Spirit in the Glorified Christ.
... ie, in our human nature, body and soul, and if the Holy Ghost dwells, on the ... into
glory, but without being for a single moment separated from the Holy Spirit. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiii the holy spirit in.htm

The Work of the Holy Spirit
... XX. God the Holy Spirit the Love which Dwells in the Heart. XXI. The Love of the
Holy Spirit in Us. XXII. ... XXXVII. The Sin Against the Holy Ghost. XXXVIII. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/

The Holy Spirit in the Mediator.
... the meaning of the words that He received the Holy Spirit without measure. For this
indicates that His human nature also received the Holy Ghost; and not this ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xx the holy spirit in.htm

The Work of the Holy Spirit Distinguished.
... Son, and Holy Ghost in common, the power to bring forth proceeds from the Father:
the power to arrange from the Son; the power to perfect from the Holy Spirit. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/iv the work of the.htm

God the Holy Spirit the Love which Dwells in the Heart.
... always go together: (1) Love shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, and (2 ...
with man, it is not the Father, nor the Son, but the Holy Spirit whose office ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xx god the holy spirit.htm

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