The Person of the Holy Spirit

Written By Felicia D. Felton, MBA, CBST

Part One

The Holy Spirit is like that “good” best friend who’s always there, keeping you out of trouble and giving you wisdom. 

By the request of Jesus, our savior, God gives us that “friend” - let’s check out John 14:16 (NIV):

  • And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 

Is this amazing? So let’s learn a little more about who the Holy Spirit is.

  • The Holy Spirit is a person. Not just a focus or power. Jesus references the Spirit as “He” in John 16:13 (NIV).

    • But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 

Therefore, since the Spirit is a person, he must have a personal nature. Let’s take a look:

  • The Spirit comforts

    • And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16 (KJV)

  • The Spirit teaches

    • But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 (NIV)

  • The Spirit speaks

    • 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)

  • The Spirit makes decisions

    • It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: Acts 15:28 (NIV)

  • The Spirit grieves over sin

    • And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)

  • The Spirit overrules human actions

    • And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. Acts 16:6-7 (ESV)

  • The Spirit searches the deep things of God and knows the thoughts of God

    • these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 (ESV)

  • The Spirit determines the distribution of spiritual gifts

    • But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:11 (NKJV)

  • The Spirit interprets and brings forward human prayers before the throne of the Father

    • 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 through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

  • The Spirit assures believers of their adoption

    • The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. Romans 8:16 (AMP)

  • The Spirit bears witness to and glorifies Christ

    • He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. John 16:14 (NIV)

The Holy Spirit is also fully and completely divine. We will cover this distinction in part two coming soon.

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Reference(s): English Standard Study Bible (page 2520); Christian Theology Course, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Felicia D. Felton, MBA, CBST
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