We now make our way to the most misunderstood and misapplied member of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit. We will start with what the Holy Spirit is not before moving to who the Holy Spirit is and then defending those statements with Scripture.
The Holy Spirit is not a force, power, or other ethereal thing. The Holy Spirit is not disinterested or a genie that grants wishes/powers. The Holy Spirit is a person; a being that is a member of the Godhead (Trinity). He is a unique personality distinct from the Father and the Son who is also fully God.
These truths can be seen in Scripture where the Spirit shows emotions. He is said to be spared burden in Acts 15:28 and He is grieved in Ephesians 4:30. These are qualities of a person, not an impersonal force. The deity (Godness) of the Holy Spirit is shown in Act 5 where the Holy Spirit and God are used interchangeably. 1 Corinthians 2:10 – 11 and John 16:13 attribute the knowledge (omniscience) of God to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is seen with the power (omnipotence) of God in Luke 1:35 and Romans 15:19; and the eternality of the Holy Spirit is brought out in Hebrews 9:14. The Holy Spirit is God, with all the attributes and ability and distinction that designation carries.
The Holy Spirit’s distinctiveness from the Father and Son is shown also in His work. The Holy Spirit delivers prophecy in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 2:2, Numbers 24:2, 1 Samuel 10:6). The Holy Spirit also brings skills to the workers of the Old Testament: Bezalel (Exodus 31:3 – 5), Zerubbabel (Zechariah 4:6), and Samson (Judges 14 – 16). Throughout the Old Testament the Holy Spirit is responsible for the tangible workings of God among people (Genesis 1:, Joel 2:17 [explained in Acts 2:16 – 21], Job 26:13, Isaiah 32:15), and that working does not stop when the Old Testament does. The Holy Spirit is active in Jesus’: birth (Luke 1:35), baptism (Matthew 3;16, John 1:32), and entire ministry (Luke 4:1).
Even today the Holy Spirit works in the lives of people. In conversion of the sinner we are: turned to God, repent of sin, and accept Christ and His sacrifice; and this work is done through the Holy Spirit (John 16:8 – 11). As we continue in sanctification we are empowered for ministry (John 14:12), indwelt by God (John 16:13 – 14), and gifted for good works prepared by God (Ephesians 2:8 – 10, Romans 12:6 – 8, 1 Corinthians 12:4 – 11, Ephesians 4:11)
So what?!?? You said this stuff was going to be important to my life!!!!!
The Holy Spirit is the person through which God is most personal. The Father can seem far away, the son distant in history and interceding for us; however the Spirit walks with us daily. He carries our prayers to Christ, He powers us for ministry and service, and He ensures the completion of the work of God in our lives. The Holy Spirit is the person responsible for our: connection to God, empowerment for life, understanding of Scripture, and everyday joy and peace from God.