ANSWERING CURIOUS QUESTIONS: HOLY SPIRIT

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The topic of the Holy Spirit is one of those that is not often discussed in modern churches, which is why many people are also confused about who He truly is and what He is. Because of the lack of basic knowledge about the Holy Spirit (and also lack of interest), many believers are misinformed and misled in this subject. Here are some of the common questions about the Holy Spirit and short, biblical answers to them:

QUESTION 1: Is the Holy Spirit God?

The Bible clearly reveals that the Holy Spirit is God. He was directly called the “Lord” (2 Cor 3:17–18). Therefore, an offense against the Holy Spirit is an offense against God Himself (Acts 5:3–4). We are called God’s temple because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19). The Holy Spirit also possesses qualities that belong to God alone. He is present everywhere, or omnipresent (Ps 139:7–12). He knows all things, or He is omniscient (1 Cor 2:10). He is also all-powerful, or omnipotent (Rom 15:19), which is seen in His role in creation (Gen 1:1–2; Job 33:4; Ps 104:30). He is eternal (Heb 9:14), like God, without beginning or end. He is also sovereign, ruling over all, as seen in His distribution of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:11). These are just a few pieces of evidence showing that the Holy Spirit is divine.

QUESTION 2: Is the Holy Spirit just a force of God?

Many mistakenly believe that the Spirit of God is nothing more than an impersonal force of God, like power or energy. Although the Bible describes the Holy Spirit as wind or breath, it is clear that He is more than that. He is a Person, like the Father and the Son. He has His own mind (Rom 8:27), and He has His own will or decisions (1 Cor 12:11). He also forbids and permits (Acts 16:6–10). He teaches (Jn 14:26). He speaks or gives direction (Acts 8:29; 10:19–20; 13:2; etc.). He prays for us (Rom 8:26). He loves (Rom 15:30). He even grieves (Eph 4:30). If the Holy Spirit were merely a force, as some claim, it would be impossible to read that He thinks, speaks, decides, or has emotions.

QUESTION 3: What is the name of the Holy Spirit?

Some say that because the Holy Spirit does not have a proper name, it means that He is not really a person. In the Bible, not all spiritual beings are given proper names. Evil spirits, for example, are often unnamed and are instead identified by their particular qualities (“unclean,” “wicked,” etc.). The Spirit of God is often called the “Holy Spirit” because holiness is the primary attribute of God revealed in the Bible. The Holy Spirit is also called by many names that highlight His divine qualities: Spirit of truth (Jn 16:13); Spirit of grace (Heb 10:29); Spirit of glory (1 Pet 4:14); Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17); among other titles.

QUESTION 4: Is the Holy Spirit equal with the Father and the Son, or is He lesser?

Historic Christianity affirms that the three Divine Persons are all co-equal and co-eternal. This truth is based on Christ’s statement about baptism “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). Note that Christ did not say “names” (plural), as if there were three separate beings or gods. Neither did He say, “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” as if He were referring to only one person with different titles or labels. Christ affirmed that each Divine Person shares one Name; in other words, they are one, while also stating that each is distinct—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Because they are one God—meaning the same glory, the same status, the same essence—it is impossible for one to be higher or lower than the others. To assume such a thing is to say that there is a “lesser God” compared to the other!

Though we believe that the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son, we also affirm that each Person has different roles and functions. There is also submission within the Trinity (e.g., the Son submits to the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son; etc.). Differences in roles do not prove a difference in status.

QUESTION 5: Did the Holy Spirit only come at Pentecost (Acts 2)?

No. What happened at Pentecost in Acts was the fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel 2:28–32, which Christ later promised to His followers (Jn 14:16–17; 15:26; Lk 24:49; etc.). His coming at Pentecost marks the new nature of the work He would accomplish now that Christ has already died and risen again. This does not mean that the Holy Spirit did not exist before this event. The Spirit of God was already at work from the very beginning (Gen 1:2; Ps 104:30). He empowered God’s people in Old Testament times (Ex 31:3; Judg 6:34; 11:29; 1 Sam 16:13; etc.). Even during the time of Jesus, He was already actively involved (Matt 1:18; 3:16; 12:28; Lk 4:1, 14; etc.).

QUESTION 6: What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Why is it unforgivable?

Some mistakenly believe that the Spirit of God is not merciful and gracious because He is unforgiving. This idea comes from a misunderstanding of Christ’s teaching about the unforgivable sin—blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31–32; Mark 3:28–29; Lk 12:10). Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit must be understood in light of how Christ used the term and how the Spirit worked in Christ’s ministry. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the deliberate rejection of Christ—in other words, persistent unbelief. Christ’s miracles were done through the power of the Holy Spirit (Lk 4:18–19; Matt 12:28; etc.). The Jewish religious leaders claimed that He did them through the power of the Devil. This shows how they rejected Christ by refusing to acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit in Him. No forgiveness can be received by anyone who refuses to accept God’s offer of forgiveness through Jesus!

QUESTION 7: Is it possible for the Holy Spirit to leave a believer?

There are cases in the Old Testament where the Holy Spirit departed from people because of their sin, such as Samson (Judg 16:20), who had earlier been empowered by the Spirit (Judg 14:6, 19; 15:14; etc.), and Saul (1 Sam 16:14), who was anointed by the Spirit when he became king (1 Sam 10:1, 6, 10). David realized that the Holy Spirit could leave him (Ps 51:11). These passages show that in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit filled and empowered people temporarily and for specific occasions in order to accomplish the tasks God assigned to them.

In the New Testament, we do not find any case where the Holy Spirit leaves a believer, even when the believer sins. His work is now different in the New Testament (and today) because Christ has already completed salvation. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us forever (Jn 14:16). The Holy Spirit is also the seal or guarantee given to us that we are saved (Eph 1:13–14). If it were still possible for the Holy Spirit to leave believers, then Christ’s words would not be trustworthy and there would be no assurance in the guarantee God has given. This truth is not only an encouragement for us to persevere; it is also a reminder not to do things that grieve Him (Eph 4:30). Stay Curious.

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