As Christians, we believe in one triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hence, the Holy Spirit is often called the “third person of the Trinity.” He is the one who convicts us of our sins, guides us in our walk with God, and empowers us to live a victorious Christian life. This blog post will explore five essential things to know about the Holy Spirit.
1. The Holy Spirit is a person:
The Holy Spirit is not just a force or an influence, but a person. He is not an “it” but a “He.” This can be seen in how the Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit. He is referred to as “He” in John 14:26 and 15:26, and He is also given the attributes of personhood, such as emotion and will. For example, Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” This verse teaches that the Holy Spirit can be grieved, which is a personal attribute.
2. The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son:
He is not inferior to the Father and the Son but is co-equal with them. In the Bible, all three persons of the Trinity are given equal honor and respect. They all have distinct roles, but they are all fully God.
3. The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin:
One of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin. In John 16:8-11 Jesus says, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” He convicts us of our sins, not to condemn us, but to lead us to repentance.
4. The Holy Spirit empowers and guides us:
The Holy Spirit is not only the one who convicts us of sin, but He also empowers and guides us in our walk with God. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and in John 16:13, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. The Holy Spirit helps us live the victorious Christian life by giving us the power to overcome sin and temptation and leading us into a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
5. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts:
Another vital aspect of the Holy Spirit’s role is the distribution of spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Paul speaks about the gifts the Holy Spirit gives believers, such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy. These spiritual gifts are given to equip us for ministry and to build up the body of Christ.
In conclusion, the Holy Spirit is vital to the Christian faith. He is not just a force or influence but a co-equal person with the Father and the Son. He convicts us of sin, empowers and guides us in our walk with God, and gives us spiritual gifts. We need to understand these key aspects of the Holy Spirit’s ministry to appreciate his work in our life fully.
