The Holy Spirit in the Trinity
We first find the Holy Spirit in the book of Genesis where He is hovering over the waters of the Earth.
Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
1.In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
So from the very beginning we are introduced to the Holy Spirit. He is the Third Person of the Trinity. He is mentioned again when God says “let Us make man in our Image”.
Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
26. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27. So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Since God is ONE, what does He mean by using the “plural” about Himself which we know to be more than one? He says let “US” make man in “OUR” Image. Is this a reference to angles? I think not, because nowhere in the Bible is an angle elevated to the status of worship. As a matter of fact, the angels have told people not to worship them, but only worship God like John in Revelation 19:10. That being the case what does God mean by “US” and “OUR”?
The only explanation that theologians have come up with is the “Trinity”, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Man is also three parts, body, soul, and spirit. So God created Adam and Eve just like Himself. But we are still just one person even tho we are made up of three parts.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
23. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So God is One but manifests Himself as three Persons. We use human terms because that is what we are familiar with. When we get to heaven, I’m sure God our Father will have the perfect vocabulary for us, so that we may address Him in all His glory.
Through out the Old Testament we see the Holy Spirit coming upon a person. Rather it was to write the Old Testament or to give them a prophecy for someone. Some have said that He didn’t inhabit them like the New Testament indwelling of the Holy Spirit within the believers.
2 Peter 1:21(ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
20. knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21.For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The context of this verse is both to an individual or the writing of the Old Testament. The point is the Holy Spirit came on a person and they spoke as He directed.
We are now in the New Testament times and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Jesus said in John 14 that He would be in us.
John 14:16-18; 20 (KJV) (Please read the whole chapter)
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
He is also our comforter and teacher and our peace, in verses 26 and 27 Jesus makes that very clear.
John 14:26-27 (KJV) (Please read the whole chapter)
26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Now we come to one of the most important reasons for the Holy Spirits coming to live in the believers of this world. His presents in the world by living in the believers is to show people how they should live. As we believers live the Christian life unbeliever see it and notice.
In John 16:8 Jesus says the Holy Spirit would reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. As believers live according to what Jesus said, the unbelievers are convicted of their sin, they’re unrighteousness, and they can feel and know that there’s a judgment to come for which they are not ready to met. So they persecute the Christians trying to get them to live like they live, it makes them feel better about themselves.
Jesus said we would have tribulation in this world, and it’s only because the unbelievers do not like it when we live a holy life to our God. It isn’t really us they hate, but it’s God and the Holy Spirit that lives within us. Just by being around an unbeliever makes them uncomfortable, especially when you live your life in front of them and they know you are a Christian. Just remember, it’s not you, It’s Him that dwells within you, that they hate.
John 16:7-15 (KJV) (Please read the whole chapter)
7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9. Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
The last part of verse 13 above and verse 14 lets us know that the Holy Spirit will show us “things to come”. I don’t believe this is talking about “new” revelations that are not in the Bible, but about things in our lives, things to do, and things to avoid. Call it guidance if you will, I do believe this is another thing that the Holy Spirit does for his people. I do think that the Holy Spirit will show us things in the Bible that we haven’t seen before, but I also know that He will direct us and guide us in this life for God’s glory.
The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection, and He is still with us today. Living inside of us to show the world that they need to be saved. So this is the thing that the Holy Spirit does within His believers, to convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, so that they might be saved. He also does this for His own people. God uses our life to help in this endeavor, by living the way Jesus lived. So we must be about our Father’s business telling people everywhere, that they need to be right with God, and the only way to be right with God is through Jesus our savior.
1 Peter 1:13-17 (KJV) (Please read the whole chapter)
13. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
We have barely scratched the surface here about the Holy Spirit, but I pray that this is enough for you to do your own research about who He is. The Trinity is marvelous to learn about, it teaches us about who God is and what He has done for mankind. There is only one God, but He manifest Himself in three different ways, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all three, yet coequal as God. Because God is one. It is a mystery to behold and theologians have quarrel about this for centuries. Is there one or is there three? There is only One in three Persons. This is a mystery that we will find out when we get to heaven.
If you’re not a Christian, I ask you, why not? You know deep down inside, that you will have a day before God and answer for the life He give you. Either you will stand there with the blood of Jesus on you or on your own merit. If you stand on your own merit, you will be rejected. So I beg you, please ask Jesus to be your savior so that the blood of Jesus will cleanse you of all sin and you spend eternity with God in heaven.