Note in Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." He is identified by his primary characteristics - holiness.
Biblical evidence exists to prove that the Holy Spirit is a person. He has a mind. In 1 Corinthians 2:10 we are told, "The Spirit searches all things..."
1 Corinthians 2:10 - But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Isaiah 11:2 - And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
The Holy Spirit is given to each believer at the moment of rebirth through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:17 - That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
1 Corinthians 2:11 tells us that the Holy Spirit knows the thought of God.
1 Corinthians 2:11 - For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
He has emotions. In Ephesians 4:30 we are admonished, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God." He feels the emotion of grief when believers sin.
Ephesians 4:30 - And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
He has a will. We are told in 1 Corinthians 12:11 that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts "to each one individually just as he wills."
1 Corinthians 12:11 - But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The Holy Spirit's work confirms His personality. He teaches believers.
John 14:26 - But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
He testifies about Jesus Christ.
John 15:26 - But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
He guides believers.
Romans 8:14 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
He commissions people to service.
Acts 13:4 - So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
He issues commands to believers.
Acts 8:29 - Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
He restrains sin.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 - For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.
He intercedes for believers.
Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
He speaks to people.
John 15:26 - But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
2 Peter 1:21 - For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.
This post, of course, is not an exhaustive study about the Holy Spirit, but serves as a summary. When you look up each Bible verse, the surrounding text shares much more information about the Holy Spirit of God.
Being filled with the Spirit is not presented as a simple option but is a divine imperative for Christians and is a continual and ongoing experience for us.
Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (bold mine).
Being filled with the Spirit helps us understand what the will of the Lord is. In fact, verses 5:15 - 18 in Ephesians helped me decide the name of my blog.
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Colossians 2:8 is the verse that motivates me to speak the truth of God's Word to others.
Colossians 2:8 - See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
2 Chronicles 16:9 shares why I am committed to this blog ministry.
2 Chronicles 16:9 - The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Ephesians 5:1-21 urges us to walk in love, walk in the light of Christ, and walk in the wisdom of the Lord.
Ephesians 5:1-21 (NKJV)
Walk in Love
5Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For *this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Walk in Light
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the *Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
"Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."
Walk in Wisdom
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of *God.
Footnotes:
5:5
NU-Text reads For know this.
5:9
NU-Text reads light.
5:21
NU-Text reads Christ.
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