What is the Holy Spirit?

The Bible talks often about the Holy Spirit, but many people do not understand the nature and form of the Spirit. Many Christians believe that the Spirit is simply an invisible, formless force or  energy. However, this is not what the Bible teaches. If we do not know correctly about the Holy Spirit, how can we receive the power of the Spirit that the Bible says we need for salvation? We must understand the true nature of the Holy Spirit if we want to be saved.

The Holy Spirit has a personality

Through many Bible verses, we can confirm conclusively that the Spirit is not simply formless energy; it has discernible characteristics.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

It is written that the Spirit can be grieved. To grieve is to feel grief, great sorrow, towards someone. If the Spirit was just energy or a formless force, how could someone grieve the Holy Spirit? It is not possible.

Further, it is written that the Holy Spirit has the capacity to perform actions.

Romans 8:26-27 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.

The Spirit intercedes for God’s people through “groans.” Can energy groan? The Bible also says that God knows the “mind of the Spirit” which means that the Spirit has a mind; the Spirit can think.

Finally, the Spirit can communicate with people.

Acts 8:29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

The Holy Spirit told the Apostle Philip to do something. Would this be possible if the Spirit was merely energy?

Since the Holy Spirit can think, communicate, intercede, and be grieved there is undeniable evidence, based on Scripture, that the Spirit is not just formless energy. The Spirit has a personality.

Who is the Spirit?

Who is the only one who can know the thoughts of a person? It is only that person, their spirit within them. You cannot read someone else’s thoughts. However, it is written the Holy Spirit knows God’s thoughts.

1 Corinthians 2:10-11 These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things [thoughts] of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the [Holy] Spirit of God.

Since the Bible teaches that the Spirit knows the thoughts of God, it means that the Holy Spirit is God Himself.

John 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Here, it is written that “God is spirit.” Which Spirit is He? The Holy Spirit. Thus, the Holy Spirit is God Himself.

Salvation from the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is an expression referring to God Himself. The same Spirit, God, has been working for our salvation since the beginning. Even from the Old Testament times it is written:

2 Samuel 23:2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.”

Here, King David said that the “Spirit of the Lord” (God the Father Jehovah) spoke through him. This means that even since the time of King David, God has been working as the Spirit for our salvation.

In these last days, too, God the Holy Spirit is working for our salvation as the last savior.

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

The water of life indicates eternal life. In the last days, the Spirit gives the water of life, eternal life, to us. We must come to God the Holy Spirit in the last days to receive the salvation He brings.

Through the Bible, we can easily understand that the Holy Spirit is God Himself. This means that we must come to God in the last days to receive salvation. But in what form does God come as the Spirit to bring us salvation in the last days? He does not come in spiritual form as energy as many Christians think, He comes in the physical form. Just as Jesus came to the earth in human form 2,000 years ago to give us salvation through the water of life (John 3:37-38), He also comes in human form in the last days to give us the water of life. We must recognize and receive God who comes in human form in these last days to be saved. Aren’t you curious about who He is? To find out more contact the World Mission Society Church of God.