Although the word “Trinity” does not exist in the Bible, the identity of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is revealed extensively. Known as “the Godhead,” this triune God of “three persons in one God” is unmistakable in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.
God the Father is the major figure in the Old Testament. There are many references to God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, but the person and work of God the Father predominates. He goes by many names, including Jehovah, Lord, Lord God, Adoni, El Shaddai, and El Elyon. He was not known specifically or widely as “God the Father” until Jesus introduced and taught the Fatherhood of God in the Gospels.
God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, or Jesus the Messiah, is the active Person of the Godhead in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are working in and through Jesus, He is the predominate Person of the Godhead in the Gospels.
From the book of Acts until the book of Revelation, the Holy Spirit’s work and ministry are showcased. While many Bible translations call the Book of Acts the “Book of the Acts of the Apostles,” some say it should be called the “Book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit.” The Book of Acts is full of reports of declarations and prophetic words that are inspired or sourced by Holy Spirit. The Book Acts also describes healings, miracles, and other supernatural works of power demonstrated in the lives of people by Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit was the inspiration for the records of Jesus’ earthly ministry as described in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (“known as the Gospels”). While some of the content of the Gospels was written based on firsthand witness accounts, Holy Spirit surely prompted these authors, directed them, and helped them recall episodes in their time with Jesus (see John 14:26). Holy Spirit also inspired the content of the letters written to the early churches by Paul, John, James, Jude, and others. These letters define and describe the gospel of the grace of Jesus that is the New Covenant. Consider the following verses written by Peter and Paul (the books of 1 and 2 Timothy were written to Timothy by Paul).
2 Peter 1:21 (NASB 1995)
…for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Timothy 3:16 (AMPC)
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),
Not only is Holy Spirit the source of information and inspiration for the Bible, but He is also the source of the power that accomplishes the new birth in those who believe.
Titus 3:5 (NASB 1995)
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
John 3:5-8 (NASB 1995)
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
More will be said about Holy Spirit in the New Testament, but now we look at Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. As stated before, God the Father predominates in the Old Testament, but Holy Spirit was also active.
Genesis 1:1,2 (NLT)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
The word “hovering” is also translated “moving” or “brooding.” Holy Spirit was present and active at creation. God is introduced in the first verse of the first chapter of the first book in the Bible. Holy Spirit is introduced in the second verse of the first chapter of the first book in the Bible. His importance and significance in scripture is enormous. Verse 2 of the first chapter of the first book also begins the revelation of God in three Persons. In verse 26 of Genesis Chapter 1, we see the members of the trinity described and enumerated in the Amplified Classis Bible.
Genesis 1:26 (NKJV)
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
The Amplified Classic Bible expands the word “Us” to “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Genesis 1:26 (AMPC)
God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.
The New Testament teaches the baptism or infilling of a Christian with Holy Spirit. He fills you and stays with you forever (see John 14:16,17). This was not the Old Testament saints’ experience. Holy Spirit would “come upon them” for some work of power to be performed, and then He would lift. The following passages of scripture describe some of the Old Testament interactions of Holy Spirit with people.
Judges 6:34 (NKJV)
But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.
Judges 14:6 (NKJV)
And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.
The “he” referred to in the verse above was Samson.
2 Chronicles 15:1 (NKJV)
Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded
2 Chronicles 20:14 (NKJV)
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.
Numbers 11:17,25 (NKJV)
17 Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone
25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again.
1 Samuel 10:6 (AMP)
Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily, and you will prophesy with them, and you will be changed into another man.
1 Samuel 16:13 (AMP)
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
It can also be seen that Holy Spirit would depart from a person. When Israel’s first king, Saul, disobeyed God and showed contempt for the prophet Samuel, Holy Spirit left and evil spirits replaced Him.
1 Samuel 16:14 (AMP)
Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented and terrified him.
After King David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband killed, he cried out for forgiveness and asked that Holy Spirit would not be taken from him. As a warrior, the king of Israel, and a prophet to his nation, David was utterly dependent on Holy Spirit and His anointing.
Psalm 51:11 (AMP)
Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
As stated previously, Holy Spirit’s relationship to born again children of God is not that of just coming upon us to enable us to do a work of power and then lifting off. Holy Spirit is given in the New Covenant, and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
John the Baptist was the first to mention this new relationship between Holy Spirit and believers.
Matthew 3:11 (ERV)
I baptize you with water to show that you have changed your hearts and lives. But there is someone coming later who is able to do more than I can. I am not good enough to be the slave who takes off his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Matthew 3:11 (NLT)
“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
The word “baptize” in the Greek is “baptizo” (Strong’s concordance G907). It has meanings that include submerge, immerse, dip repeatedly, immerge, overwhelm. John told the people that Jesus was coming to submerge us with Holy Spirit. We are saturated or soaked with Holy Spirit when Jesus baptizes us with Him. Many people who have been baptized by Jesus with Holy Spirit will testify that a fiery zeal accompanies the experience. And He does not lift off.
John 14:15-17 (NLV)
15 “If you love Me, you will do what I say. 16 Then I will ask My Father and He will give you another Helper. He will be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot receive Him. It does not see Him or know Him. You know Him because He lives with you and will be in you.
John 14:15-17 (AMPC)
15 If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.
There is a lot of very important information in the verses above, but I will focus on two phrases right now. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit that “that He may remain with you forever” and “He lives with you [constantly] and will be with you.” Without getting into a discussion about the question “can you lose your salvation” I will simply point out that Jesus Himself states that those believers He baptizes with Holy Spirit will have Holy Spirit in them forever. I also want to point out that you are never alone. For the Spirit-baptized believer, you always have His presence, His fellowship, and His companionship. One of my personal favorite scriptures is John 16:7 in the Amplified Classic Bible.
John 16:7 (AMPC)
However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
Not only is Holy Spirit our constant companion, but he also comes into close fellowship with us. He’s very close.
Proverbs 18:24b (AMPC)
…but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The Apostle John records the following words of Jesus.
John 7:37-39 (NKJV)
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Jesus’s words make it clear that the New Covenant believer has a different experience with Holy Spirit than the Old Covenant saint. In the Old Testament Holy Spirit came upon a person and then lifted. In the New Testament, Holy Spirit is “given” will be with us forever. In this passage, Holy Spirit is compared to a river of living water that flows up out of our being. He is fresh, pure water that we drink. We drink this water and we do not thirst again. This water can be shared with others around us. The water can be shared with family and friends. This water can be shared with people who need prayer, people who need to hear the gospel, people who need healing.
In John 14, we see again that Holy Spirit was sent to the born again believer by our Father God.
John 14:25,26 (NKJV)
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The word “helper” is translated from the Greek word “parakletos” (Strong’s Concordance G3875) and means summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid. It means one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate, one who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor. In the Amplified Classis version of the Bible, the word Helper is expanded.
John 14:25,26 (AMPC)
25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.
The role of Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is multi-faceted. If we lack wisdom or are confused, He is our Counselor. If we are accused, He is our Advocate. When we are weak, He is our Strengthener. When we think we are alone, we can know He is standing by our side (recall Proverbs 18:24b “ …but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”). In Holy Spirit, we have literally everything we need.
John 15:26 (NKJV)
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
John 15:26 (AMPC)
26 But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me. 27 But you also will testify and be My witnesses, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
In the verse above, Jesus says two important things. First, as we have seen, Holy Spirit is sent to us from our Father God. He “proceeds” forth from God. Second, He will testify to us about Jesus. This testimony of Jesus could apply to the moment when we first hear and believe the Gospel of Jesus and are born again. This can also mean that for all of our lives He will tell us about Jesus moment by moment as we listen to Him.
The word “testify” in John 15:26 is the Greek word “martyreo” (Strong’s Concordance G3140). It has meanings that include: to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration. It can mean to give (not to keep back) testimony, to utter honorable testimony, give a good report. Holy Spirit is the One who provides us with revelation, teaching, and training in how to live the Christian life. He is going to give us the good report about our great salvation. He is bottomless well of information about Jesus. Anything we need to know about Jesus will be revealed to us by Holy Spirit.
These verses from John 14 through John 16 are recorded by the Apostle John when the disciples were having the “last supper” with Jesus. These chapters contain the last revelations and instructions Jesus gave His followers before He was crucified, resurrected, and ascended back to His Father. This information was vital to the disciples in their assignment to launch the New Testament Church of Jesus Christ. As He was telling them what was soon to come, He “read the room” and said the following:
John 16:6-11 (NLV)
6 “Your hearts are full of sorrow because I am telling you these things. 7 I tell you the truth. It is better for you that I go away. If I do not go, the Helper will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you. 8 When the Helper comes, He will show the world the truth about sin. He will show the world about being right with God. And He will show the world what it is to be guilty. 9 He will show the world about sin, because they do not put their trust in Me. 10 He will show the world about being right with God, because I go to My Father and you will see Me no more. 11 He will show the world what it is to be guilty because the leader of this world (Satan) is guilty.
John 16:6-11 (AMP)
6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts [and taken complete possession of them]. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment: 9 about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message]; 10 about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me; 11 about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.
Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus and He convicts us. He convicts the world of their sin, the believers of their righteousness, and satan about his judgement.
Before a person is born again, Holy Spirit gently and insistently convicts them that they need Jesus as Savoir and Lord. Holy Spirit does not bring condemnation, He bring conviction. Condemnation leads to death and conviction leads to repentance. He is relentless in His pursuit of lost souls.
After a person is born again, we have been made righteous by Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. We literally exchange our sin for His righteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP)
He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].
The enemy will do anything and everything he can to keep us from believing this essential truth. Since we know ourselves, it can be a challenge to believe consistently that we are indeed “the righteousness of God in Christ.” Therefore, Holy Spirit is ever present to convict or convince us of our right standing with God because of the kindness and generosity of Jesus. He literally shares His righteousness with us.
The third conviction that Holy Spirit brings is to satan. Satan has been judged and condemned and his sentence is just. He will spend eternity in the lake of fire, as he deserves.
The next words John records from the Last Supper are startling. Jesus says “look men, there is more I need to tell you but you can’t take it…” So, when Holy Spirit comes, He will be your guide into all the necessary truth.
John 16:12-15 (AMP)
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.
These words solidify the absolute necessity of having a close relationship with Holy Spirit. He has been tasked with communicating what He hears from the Father to us.
Fellowshipping with Holy Spirit and dwelling in His presence requires an act of faith on our part. We must ask in faith for this close, personal relationship with Him. And we must spend time seeking Him and lingering in His presence. Reading the Bible, speaking to Him, dwelling quietly in prayer are just a few ways to enjoy His presence. With time and “practicing the presence” we can reach a place in which we are constantly aware that He is in us and with us.
This truth study is just a tiny scratch on the surface of knowing this wonderful Person. Use it to launch into more study and deeper study. Pursue Holy Spirit and relationship with Him.