Understanding the Holy Spirit: A Foundation for Faith
As Christians, we confess that God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This fundamental doctrine is rooted in Scripture (Matt. 28:20; John 1:1–3; Gal. 4:4–6) and serves as a foundation for our understanding of the Holy Spirit. In this article, we’ll explore key aspects of the Holy Spirit’s nature and role in our lives.
The Holy Spirit is Fully God
One of the most essential truths about the Holy Spirit is that He is fully God. He is not a mere impersonal force or a poetic way of describing God’s actions. Rather, He is one of the persons of the Trinity, possessing the entirety of the divine essence.
The Father-Spirit Connection
The Holy Spirit’s relationship with God the Father is deeply intimate. The Father is the source from whom the Spirit proceeds (Joel 2), and this connection is reflected in the Spirit’s work in our lives. The Spirit’s dwelling in our hearts resonates with the depth of His relationship with the Father.
The Son-Spirit Connection
The Holy Spirit is also intimately connected with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Spirit eternally flows from the Father through the Son (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). This connection highlights the Spirit’s role as the perfect communicator of the Father’s and Son’s will.
The Unity of God’s Work
Everything God does is unified and inseparable, involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The works of God are not divided among the persons of the Trinity but are “inseparable operations” in which the Father is the source, the Son is the center, and the Holy Spirit is the end.
The Names of the Holy Spirit
Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit is referred to by various names, including Spirit of God, Spirit of the LORD, and Holy Spirit. These names highlight different aspects of the Spirit’s nature and work, emphasizing His divinity, power, and holiness.
Following the Spirit’s Lead
When we approach the topic of the Holy Spirit, it’s essential to follow His lead, speaking mostly about Jesus, much about the Father, and rather less about the Spirit. This approach reflects the Bible’s clear pattern and helps us avoid artificially elevating the Holy Spirit to a place of prominence.
Resting in the Spirit’s Work
As believers, we can rest confidently in the fact that the Holy Spirit is working to help us come to real knowledge of Him. He is the prevenient person, going ahead of us to prepare the way of our knowledge of Him. Our awareness of His presence may be surprising or elusive, but we can trust in His work within us.
By embracing these fundamental truths about the Holy Spirit, we can deepen our understanding of God’s nature and work in our lives. As we seek to know the Holy Spirit more intimately, we must follow His lead, resting in His work and trusting in His guidance.
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