The Holy Spirit is the power of God—not a personage, consciousness, entity, or part of a trinity. It is the mind and essence of the divine nature and the spiritual extension of God through which He carries out His will. Bestowed upon or poured out upon individuals, it causes regeneration of God’s children. God's Spirit empowers the mind to comprehend spiritual matters, producing conversion. It leads us into all truth; convicts us of sin and righteousness; and imparts faith, the love of God, power to overcome sin, and other gifts essential to do His will. It is the earnest or guarantee of eternal life.
Scripture References:
Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30; Isaiah 11:2; 32:15; 40:13; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 8:15-17; Romans 8:9-14; John 14:16-17, 26; I Corinthians 2:9-16; 12:4-11; II Timothy 1:6-7; II Peter 1:2-4; Ephesians 1:13-14
From the Library: Holy Spirit
Misconceptions and Malarkey About the Holy Spirit (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasThe Holy Spirit, as described in Scripture, plays a vital role in our spiritual journey. In John 15:26, it is said that the Parakletos will testify of Christ, conveying His messages rather than its own, and in John 16:13, it will not speak from itself. Acts 13:2 refers to the Holy Spirit in the original Greek as pneuma hagion, …
What Is the Holy Spirit?
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeGod's pouring out of His Spirit on the church, as recorded in Acts 2, marked a dramatic event with manifestations that testified to something extraordinary occurring. The Holy Spirit emerges as a significant theme throughout Acts, accompanying the preaching of the gospel and the calling of more people into the church. The …
The Holy Spirit
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsUnderstanding God's Holy Spirit is a vital element in grasping God's way of life and becoming a true Christian, transformed into the image of Christ. It is the Spirit of God within us that makes us children of God and imparts eternal life. When the Holy Spirit works within us, our lives produce the fruit of the Spirit, …
The Holy Spirit
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeGod's Holy Spirit typically refers to the mind of God and Christ, which is added to our human spirit to create a sound mind by which we witness of God.
Misconceptions and Malarkey About the Holy Spirit (Part One)
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasEphesians 1:13-14 reveals that the Holy Spirit serves as the instrument of our regeneration as children of God, acting as a pledge or down payment on the life to come. The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as the spirit and mind of Christ, emphasizing its vital role in our spiritual transformation. Romans 8:9 underscores that if …
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Holy Spirit is not a third person in a trinity, but rather the essence of the mind of the Father and the Son. It is the invisible, immaterial element of God's mind, distinct and holy, set apart by its transcendent purity. This Spirit, different from the spirit of man, is clean and reflects the love, kindness, mercy, and …
The Trinity and the Holy Spirit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Holy Spirit is described as the power of God, emanating from the Father and the Son to accomplish His will across creation. It is portrayed as an inanimate force, not a personality, evident in descriptions such as falling on people, being poured out, or rushing like a mighty wind, which are inconsistent with a personal …
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Holy Spirit is the essence of God's mind, not a separate entity or third person that divides itself among many. It represents the pure, transcendent nature of God, always producing abundant and everlasting life. This Spirit, holy because God is holy, purifies our thinking and embodies the divine nature. It takes up residence …
For more resources, please see the library topic for Holy Spirit