Since “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17 ESV), Scripture is an authoritative book for believers.

Holy Spirit is Illuminator of Scripture

To understand Scripture correctly, we need the help of the Holy Spirit who is the Illuminator and Enlightener. Without his illumination, we cannot understand the Bible spiritually though we can understand it linguistically. Given the fact that Holy Spirit is the author, he would be the best interpreter when it comes to interpreting and understanding the Bible (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14; John 8:47).

We have the written testimony (1 John 5:13) and the inner witness (v. 7), and they are not to be divorced. To appeal to the Spirit apart from Scripture is sub-Christian fanaticism; to appeal to Scripture apart from a humble dependence on the Spirit is presumption. The Spirit gives us a mind to see and hear His Word (Deut. 29:4).^[1]

The Holy Spirit Compared to the Wind[c1] [VW2] 

One of the metaphors used of the Holy Spirit is wind (John 3:6–8). You can’t see the wind but you hear the sound and see its effect. We feel the wind on our face, we see the leaves blowing before the wind but it remains invisible. Likewise, we can’t see the Holy Spirit but we can feel his presence and power. The Holy Spirit is invisible but he is real and perceptible. The wind is inscrutable you can’t tell when it comes or where it goes. So is the operation of the Spirit. There is something mysterious about the operation of the Holy Spirit. He comes and goes and we can’t tell next time where he will display his power. Like wind, the Holy Spirit is sovereign (it blows where it will; John 3:8), invisible, inscrutable, indispensable (John 3:5), life-giving (John 6:33; 2 Cor. 3:6; Ezek. 37:8–10), and irresistible.^[2]

The Holy Spirit is God

The clearest example in the Bible can be found in Acts 5 concerning the story of Ananias and Sapphira. They sold some property but kept part of the proceeds and brought the rest of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. Then Peter said,

Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God! (Acts 5:3–5; italics mine)

Two other examples to substantiate the Holy Spirit is God are:

1) slandering against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin (Matt. 12:32; Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10);

2) the Bible is “God-breathed.” According to 2 Tim. 3:16, it is universally acknowledged by all scholars that the reference is to the Holy Spirit.

Indeed, the Holy Spirit is God. The baptismal formula (name is singular and not plural) emphasizes the unity of three persons. The Holy Spirit knows the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:11). Blasphemy may be committed against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 13:31; Mark 3:28; Luke 12:10). Divine attributes are described of him and he distributes gifts (1 Cor. 13:11).

The Holy Spirit in the Trinity

One central tenet of our Christian belief is the doctrine of the Trinity. Simply put, there is one God and one only. This God exists eternally in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit co-exists, is co-equal to, and is co-eternal with God the Father and God the Son. These three are fully equal in every divine perfection. Within the godhead there is identity, distinction, and equality. He has come to glorify Christ that is in and through the believer. They possess alike the fullness of the divine essence.^[3] The Holy Spirit is not limited by time and space.

The Holy Spirit is associated with both the Father and the Son yet distinct from them. Attributes of the Holy Spirit include omniscience (1 Cor. 2:10–11) and omnipresence (Ps. 139:7–10).

There is nothing that God is that the Holy Spirit is not. All of the essential aspects of deity belong to the Holy Spirit. We can say of Him exactly what was said of Jesus Christ in the ancient Nicene Creed: He is the very God of very God! So we bow before Him, we worship Him, we accord Him every response Scripture requires of our relationship to Almighty God.^[4] (Billy Graham)

Everything God does, he does as the Triune God. Each person of the Trinity is involved in every action of God. Yet at the same time each person is involved in every action of God. Yet at the same time each person has a special role to fulfil in that work. (John Owen)

Therefore, while they work together they are not interchangeable. They are distinct from one another and not to be equated with either of the two. The terms used are not interchangeable. The Spirit must not be thought of as a vague force or effluence, nor is he another name for one aspect of the Father and Son. He is a Person in his own right, with his own functions.^[5] It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit being the Third Person of the Trinity does not mean he occupies the third place!

One of the oldest creeds (Apostle’s Creed) exhorts believers to believe in the Trinity—“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. . . . I believe in the Holy Spirit.” Paul was Trinitarian at the core of his experience and theology though he did not use the word Trinity to describe God.^[6]

Often the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Christ—to make Christ real to us (Eph. 3:16–17). In the New Testament, there is a connection between Spirit and Jesus. The Spirit is called “Spirit of Jesus” (Acts 16:7), “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:19), “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom. 8:9), and “Spirit of his son” (Gal. 4:6). The Spirit bears witness to Jesus (John 15:26), reminds people of what Jesus said (14:26), and glorifies Jesus (16:14).

He came to testify (John 15:26) and glorify Christ (John 16:14).^[7] “The work of the Spirit is never in competition with or in opposition to the work of Christ. The Spirit is the ‘Spirit of Christ’. Their work is a harmonious blend.”^[8] “Jesus draws a check for my use. The Holy Spirit cashes the check and puts money into my hands” (S. D. Gordon).

In Baptist churches, one of the favourite hymns still sung today is “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” which uses Trinitarian language.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,

Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,

Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,

Perfect in power, in love and purity.[c3] 

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name,

In earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,

God in three persons, blessed Trinity.^[9]

Some churches close their services with the doxology hymn,

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

In sum, we have a Trinitarian baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19–20), Trinitarian benediction (2 Cor. 13:14), and Trinitarian doxology. Yes, we proclaim the doctrine of the Trinity when we sing the doxology. At the same time, we are honest enough to admit that a Triune God is a mystery that can’t be fully explained or understood. We have to accept it by faith.

Some Important Implications

If the Holy is a force, power, or influence, my response will be, “How much can I have of him?” Or “How can I get a handle on the Holy Spirit?” But since the Holy Spirit is a person, then my response should be, “How much does he have of me?” In the same vein, Ren   Pache reminds us that if the Holy Spirit is merely a power or force coming from above, “it would be at my disposal and I could use it at will. But if the Spirit is a Person, and more than that, if He is God Himself, it is I who should be at His disposal, and love and obey Him in all things.”^[10]

Since the Holy Spirit is God, he deserves to be worshipped, praised, and adored. I need to give him his due and honour. I am obligated to know more of him and his ministry in my life so that I can draw near to him and learn how to have fellowship with him.

As finite human beings, though we cannot know him exhaustively, we can know him truly. The more we come to know the Holy Spirit, the more there is to know. He is in the business of surprising believers. “Do I have more of him or does he have more of me?”