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Objective

In this lesson, we will discover that the Bible teaches clearly that the Holy Spirit is both a real Person and fully God.

Key Verse

Ephesians 4:30: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Introduction

Many Christians today find themselves confused about the Holy Spirit. Some believers speak about Him too little, almost ignoring this important Person of the Trinity. Others emphasize the Holy Spirit so much that they lose their focus on Jesus Christ. As we study what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit, we will look for the careful balance that Scripture gives us.

The Holy Spirit is fully God, but He never seeks attention for Himself. Instead, He always lifts up and honors Jesus Christ. This truth was one of the most important things Jesus wanted His disciples to understand about the Holy Spirit:

John 16:14: He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

The Holy Spirit’s primary work is to point us to Jesus and help us understand who He is and what He has done for us. When we keep this truth in mind, we will avoid the confusion that troubles many believers today.

In this lesson, we will examine who the Holy Spirit is by exploring two essential truths:

• The Holy Spirit is a Person
• The Holy Spirit is God

In future lessons, we will see how the Holy Spirit worked throughout the Old Testament, how He works within the church, and how He works in the life of every believer.

The Holy Spirit is a Person

The Holy Spirit is not simply a force or a feeling. He is not like electricity or wind—impersonal powers that can affect us but cannot think or choose or love. The Bible shows us clearly that the Holy Spirit is a real Person with all the qualities that make someone a person.

How do we know that the Holy Spirit is a Person? The Scriptures reveal this truth in three important ways:

• His qualities show it
• His actions show it
• His relationships show it

➤ The Holy Spirit Has Personal Qualities

First, the Holy Spirit possesses all the essential qualities of a person. He has mind, will, and emotions—the three characteristics that distinguish persons from things.

The Holy Spirit has a mind and intelligence. He understands truth and can teach us:

John 14:26: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:26: When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.

1 Corinthians 2:10: These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

The Holy Spirit also has a will. He makes choices and acts according to His own purpose. Throughout the New Testament, we see that it is the Holy Spirit who reveals God’s will to us:

Acts 13:2: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 15:28: It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements.

Acts 16:7: When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

1 Corinthians 12:11: All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

The Holy Spirit also experiences emotions. He can feel grief, love, and other emotions that only persons can experience:

Isaiah 63:10: Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

Ephesians 4:30: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Romans 15:30: I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

(Notebook Moment: Have you ever thought about the fact that your choices can actually bring grief to the Holy Spirit? How might this truth change the way you make decisions in your daily life?)

➤ The Holy Spirit Performs Personal Actions

Second, the Holy Spirit does things that only a person can do. Consider this list of activities that the Bible attributes to the Holy Spirit:

• Strives with people (Genesis 6:3)
• Teaches truth (Luke 12:12)
• Convicts of sin (John 16:8)
• Speaks words (Acts 8:29)
• Prevents certain actions (Acts 16:6-7)
• Intercedes in prayer (Romans 8:26)
• Performs miracles (Romans 15:19)
• Reveals truth (1 Corinthians 2:10)
• Inspires Scripture (2 Peter 1:21)

These are not the activities of an impersonal force. They are the deliberate actions of a Person who thinks, chooses, and acts with purpose and intelligence.

➤ The Holy Spirit Relates as a Person

Third, the Holy Spirit relates to others the way a person does. He interacts with people and even with His own power in ways that show His personal nature.

The Holy Spirit relates to other persons:

John 16:14: He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

Acts 15:28: It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements.

The Holy Spirit also relates to His own power the way a person does. Throughout the New Testament, He is described as distinct from His power, showing that He is a Person who possesses and uses power:

Luke 1:35: The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 10:38: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:4: My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.

Think about this example: I have the strength to lift a heavy object, but I am not the same thing as my strength. I am a person who possesses and uses strength. This same principle applies to the Holy Spirit. He is a Person who acts with power and strength, but He is distinct from the power itself.

The Holy Spirit is God

Understanding that the Holy Spirit is a Person is important, but the Bible teaches us something even more remarkable—the Holy Spirit is not just any person, but He is God Himself. How do we know this essential truth? Scripture demonstrates the deity of the Holy Spirit in three clear ways:

• He is called God
• He performs the works of God
• He possesses the qualities of God

➤ The Holy Spirit is Called God

First, the Bible directly identifies the Holy Spirit as God. Both Peter and Paul clearly refer to Him using this title.

When Ananias lied to the apostles about his financial gift, Peter confronted him with these words:

Acts 5:3-4: Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

Notice how Peter moves from saying Ananias “lied to the Holy Spirit” to saying he “lied to God.” Peter understood that the Holy Spirit is God.

Paul also identifies the Holy Spirit as God when he writes about our bodies:

1 Corinthians 3:16: Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

Paul describes our bodies as the temple of God specifically because the Holy Spirit lives within us. This tells us that the One living within us is God Himself.

➤ The Holy Spirit Performs the Works of God

Second, the Holy Spirit accomplishes works that only God can do. We see this clearly in three great works: creation, regeneration, and resurrection. These mighty works are beyond the power of any created being—only God can perform them.

The Holy Spirit was active in creation:

Genesis 1:2: Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Job 26:13: By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.

Job 33:4: The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

The Holy Spirit brings new spiritual life to the heart of every believer:

John 3:5-6: Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”

Titus 3:5: He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead and will also raise our bodies at the end of time:

Romans 1:4: And who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:11: And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

(Notebook Moment: Which of these three great works of the Holy Spirit—creation, giving new life, or resurrection—means the most to you personally? Why does this particular work encourage your faith?)

➤ The Holy Spirit Possesses the Qualities of God

Third, the Holy Spirit displays characteristics that belong only to God. He is holy, which means He is completely separate from sin and perfectly pure. He shows love and grace toward sinners. He is eternal, existing forever without beginning or end. He is infinite in His power, presence, and knowledge.

The Holy Spirit demonstrates the love and grace of God:

Romans 15:30: I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Zechariah 12:10: And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.

The Holy Spirit is eternal:

Hebrews 9:14: How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

The Holy Spirit is omnipresent—present everywhere at the same time:

Psalm 139:7-10: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

The Holy Spirit is omniscient—He knows all things:

1 Corinthians 2:10: These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Only God possesses these perfect qualities. Since the Holy Spirit demonstrates each of these characteristics, we must conclude that He is truly God.

(Notebook Moment: The Holy Spirit knows everything about you—your thoughts, struggles, joys, and fears. How does this truth comfort you? How might it also challenge you to live differently?)

Conclusion

What should our response be to these wonderful truths about the Holy Spirit? Understanding that the Holy Spirit is both a real Person and fully God should transform how we relate to Him and how we live our daily lives.

We should take seriously both the Person and the work of the Holy Spirit. He is not a distant force or an abstract concept—He is God Himself, living within every believer. This means we should speak to Him, listen to Him, and seek His guidance in all that we do.

We should ask for His presence and power in our lives. Jesus promised that the Father would give the Holy Spirit to those who ask:

Luke 11:13: If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

We should also remember that we can grieve the Holy Spirit by our choices and actions. Since He is a Person with emotions, our sin affects Him personally. This should motivate us to live in ways that please Him and honor Jesus Christ.

John 7:37-39: On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.

The Holy Spirit is the greatest gift God gives to believers. He is our Helper, our Teacher, our Comforter, and our Guide. Because He is a Person, we can have a real relationship with Him. Because He is God, we can trust Him completely and depend on His unlimited power and wisdom.

As we continue to study the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in future lessons, remember these foundational truths: the Holy Spirit is not an “it” but a “He”—a real Person who loves you and wants to work in your life. And He is not merely a powerful being, but God Himself, with all the authority and ability that belong to our Creator and Savior.

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