Doctrine Of The Holy Spirit

During one of his missionary trips, the Apostle Paul questioned a group of Ephesians church members (actually, they were disciples of John the Baptist) about the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Their answer must have shocked him somewhat, for they replied: ...We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Acts 19:2.

This statement by these Ephesians disciples, perhaps as no other in the Bible, illustrates the sorry and shameful treatment often given to the Holy Spirit. His very existence has been ignored and His ministry misunderstood. May the following notes of the Person of the Holy Spirit prevent such a tragedy in your life and church.

The Personality of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit of God is a Person, as much as the Father and Son are Persons, and therefore experiences all the sinless elements involved within a divine personality.

1. He has a mind - Romans 8:27.
2. He has a will - 1 Corinthians 12:11.
3. He speaks - Acts 8:29; 10:2; 13:2.
4. He loves - Romans 15:30.
5. He grieves - Ephesians 4:30.
6. He prays - Romans 8:26.

The Deity of the Holy Spirit

1. He is omnipresent - Psalm 139:7.
2. He is omniscient - 1 Corinthians 2:10,11.
3. He is omnipotent - Genesis 1:2.
4. He is eternal - Hebrews 9:14.
5. He is called God - Acts 5:3,4.

The Names of the Holy Spirit

a. The Spirit of God - 1 Corinthians 3:16. What an amazing reality, that in the Person of the Holy Spirit, God lives His life in us!
b. The Spirit of Christ - Romans 9:14.
c. The eternal Spirit - Hebrews 9:14.
d. The Spirit of Truth - John 16:13.
e. The Spirit of Grace - Hebrews 10:29.
f. The Spirit of Glory - 1 Peter 4:14.
g. The Spirit of Life - Romans 8:2.
h. The Spirit of wisdom and revelation - Ephesians 1:17.
i. The Comforter - John 14:26.
j. The Spirit of Promise - Acts 1:4,5.
k. The Spirit of adoption - Romans 8:15.
l. The Spirit of holiness - Romans 1:4.
m. The Spirit of faith - 2 Corinthians 4:13.

The Emblems of the Holy Spirit

The designated emblems of the Holy Spirit throw light upon both His nature and His mission.

a. The Dove - Indicating purity, peace, and modesty. John 1:32.
b. Water - Indicating life and cleansing - Isaiah 44:3; John 7:37-39.
c. Oil - Indicating light, healing and anointing for service - Luke 4:18
d. A Seal - Indicating ownership, finished transaction, identification, security, value, genuineness, and authority. Ephesians 1:13.
e. Wind - Indicating unseen power. John 3:8.
f. Fire - Indicating presence, approval, protection, purifying, gift, and judgment. Exodus 3:2.

His ministry concerning the Church.

a. The Holy Spirit and the universal Church. He formed it. Ephesians 2:19-22.
b. The Holy Spirit and the local church:
* He desires to inspire its worship service - Philippians 3:3.
* He desires to direct its missionary work - Acts 13:2-4.
* He desires to aid in its singing services - Ephesians 5:18,19.
* He desires to appoint its preachers - Acts 20:28
* He desires to anoint its preachers - 1 Corinthians 2:4.
* He desires to warn its members - 1 Timothy 4:1.
* He desires to determine its decisions - Acts 15:28.
* He desires to head up its evangelistic efforts - Acts 1:8.

The primary way the Holy Spirit works in the life of a believing saint is through the instruction and influence of the Word of God. See John 14:26.

It is imperative that a believer learn to allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate a teachable spirit within them. As the Holy Spirit instructs the believer concerning the Word of God, He will illuminate (give understanding) the believer's heart that they might conform to the truth being taught.


His ministry concerning the gifts of Christ.

The gifts of Christ are for service, not salvation. Christ is the Gift of God for salvation (John 3:16).

In the Bible the entire Trinity is often described in the act of giving. God gave His Son. Jesus gave His life. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the church.

Christ is the gift for sinners unto salvation. The Holy Spirit gives gifts (teaching, giving, helps, discerning spirit, etc.) unto sanctification.


Every believer can and must live under the compelling influence of the Holy Spirit of God. This can only be realized as we hide the Word of God in our hearts. May you continue to allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the truth of the Word of Christ for the glory of God:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16.


Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger
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