Many people have a clear picture of God the Father and of Jesus, but feel unsure about the Holy Spirit. Is the Spirit a force? A feeling? Something only certain churches talk about? The Bible's answer is both simpler and more wonderful.
The Holy Spirit is God
Christians believe in one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus told His followers to baptise "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19, WEB) — one name, three persons. The Spirit is not a lesser being or an impersonal energy. He is God, and He is personal: He teaches, speaks, guides, and can be grieved.
Jesus promised Him
On the night before He died, Jesus told His disciples He would not leave them alone:
"I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth." — John 14:16–17 (WEB)
Fifty days after the resurrection, at Pentecost, the Spirit came on the first believers and the church was born (Acts 2). Since then He has lived in every follower of Jesus. Paul writes that believers were "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13, WEB).
What the Holy Spirit does
- Draws people to Jesus. "He will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment" (John 16:8, WEB). Every conversion is the Spirit's work.
- Gives new life. Being born again is being born of the Spirit (John 3).
- Assures us. "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16, WEB).
- Teaches and reminds. "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you" (John 14:26, WEB).
- Helps us pray. When we don't know what to say, the Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
- Grows our character. More on this below.
- Gives gifts to serve. "To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all" (1 Corinthians 12:7, WEB).
- Empowers witness. "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me" (Acts 1:8, WEB).
The fruit of the Spirit
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control." — Galatians 5:22–23 (WEB)
Fruit grows slowly and naturally from a healthy plant. In the same way, the Spirit grows Jesus' character in believers over time — not by gritting our teeth, but by staying connected to Him. If you see more love, patience, or self-control in your life than a year ago, that is the Spirit at work.
The Spirit and sharing your faith
Evangelism is not something we do in our own strength. Jesus connected the Spirit's power directly with being His witnesses. That is freeing: our job is to be faithful, listen, love people, and speak about Jesus — the Spirit does the work of opening hearts. It is one reason we pray before we go out every Tuesday night in Hamilton. Read how to share your faith without fear and what evangelism is.
How to walk with the Spirit
- Ask. Jesus said the Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13).
- Read Scripture. The Spirit who inspired it uses it to guide you.
- Pray — see how to pray.
- Obey promptly when you sense Him prompting you to love, forgive, or speak.
- Stay in community. The Spirit works through the church — find a healthy local church.
Look up related words like "grace" and "repentance" in our glossary, or, if you have never trusted Jesus, start at our Know Jesus page.
More questions
- What does the Holy Spirit do?
- The Bible says the Spirit convicts the world of sin (John 16:8), gives new life, assures believers they are God's children (Romans 8:16), teaches and reminds us of Jesus' words (John 14:26), produces Christlike character, gives gifts to serve others, and empowers us to share the Gospel (Acts 1:8).
- When do Christians receive the Holy Spirit?
- The New Testament teaches that everyone who trusts in Jesus receives the Spirit — Ephesians 1:13 says believers were "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" when they believed. Christians also continue to ask to be filled with the Spirit as they follow Jesus.
- What is the fruit of the Spirit?
- Galatians 5:22–23 lists it: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control. It is the character the Spirit grows in believers over time.
Found this helpful? Pass it on.
