From its outset, the story of humanity begins with God's supernatural intersection with His creation(s). God's supernatural presence and activities established the existence of all life on earth (and in the cosmos), which is evidentially proclaimed to be "Good" (Genesis 1:31, NASB). Although robust description is provided in the creation narrative, there is still much lacking in humanity's full understanding of God's mystical plans. Yet, although difficult to define sometimes, the supernatural and spiritual involvement of God in the stories of the old and New Testament is undeniable. In fact, at the very start of God's Word, Genesis 1:2 declares, "And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters."
With this in mind, Pneumatology seeks to study the personality, deity, and activity of the Holy Spirit—the third person in the Trinity. Although a full explanation is not possible (considering our finite nature and perspective), scholars and sages throughout the ages have sought to understand who/what the Holy Spirit of God is, what He does, and how He contributes to the divine mission of the Godhead. References to the Holy Spirit can be found in the writings of the Old Testament, the New Testament, extra biblical works, the early church, the Middle Ages, the modern church, and even into postmodernity. To deny the presence of the Holy Spirit in the old and New Testaments is to (ironically) deny truth that only comes from the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Testifies to the Presence of the Holy Spirit
"And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds ofcraftsmanship . . ." (Exodus 31:3)
"The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life." (Job 33:4)
"Now the Spirit of the Lord left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrified him." (1 Samuel 16:14)
"Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." (Psalm 51:11)
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26)
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . . ." (Matthew 28:19)
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you." (John 14:26)
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you." (Acts 1:8)
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30)
"For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." (2 Peter 1:21)
What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
Based on biblical evidence, the Holy Spirit is the Great Counselor, the Bringer of Truth, Discernment, and Deliverer of Divine Messages. Moreover, the Holy Spirit helps God's people convey eternal truths of God to those needing to hear it. As such, the Holy Spirit is the Divine Influencer or Infuser. The Holy Spirit is God's gift at the dawn of human history and for his Christian church following the departure of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit provides wisdom, foreknowledge, judgment, spiritual gifts, and other supernatural abilities used for serving God and sharing the Good News.
As part of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is spiritually active in the world; he is powerful, purposeful, and personal. Speaking of which, as the third person of the Trinity, He is distinct from the Father and the Son although through Perichoresis (divine envelopment), the Holy Spirit is still involved in the work and activities of the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is coequal, coeternal, and in perfect unity with the other divine persons.
What is the Trinity?
The Trinity itself is often difficult to comprehend, which makes sense since finite minds are attempting to understand an infinite concept. In the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is paradoxical as it is for the other persons, but there are not three entities or gods. There are not three beings. One essence ultimately the trinity is one answer to God in three persons. It's not it's not modalism with a single person revealing himself historically in three different sequential forms. The Trinitarian modes are simultaneous and not consecutive. Perhaps the clearest scriptural evidence for this is at the baptism of Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:13–17).
Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
The Godhead is mutually indwelling, with each person "dancing around each other" (so-to-speak). God's followers join in the Trinitarian perichoresis by faith. Thus, the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples, who dwell in Jesus Christ, who dwells in God (see Gospel of John, chapters 14–17). After the Resurrection, Jesus assured the Disciples that although he was leaving, they would not be alone. Jesus promised to send a divine counselor, advocate, and guide as help them witness to the world. This Counselor was (and still is) coming to be their "Paraclete"—the Greek word for helper or aid, meaning, "One called to the side of." And what a difference the Holy Spirit makes in the lives of God's children.
Pastor and writer Max Lucado exclaims, "You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. You have everything you need."
Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom explains, "Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you."
Evangelist Dwight L. Moody concludes, "The work of the Spirit is to impart life, to implant hope, to give liberty, to testify of Christ, to guide us into all truth, to teach us all things, to comfort the believer, and to convict the world of sin."
To Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
Jesus's prophecy was actualized in Jerusalem in the book of Acts as prophesied by Jesus. On Pentecost, 120 followers of Jesus were baptized by the Holy Spirit in the upper room amazingly, with tongues of supernatural flames resting on the heads of each of them. The results were marvelous. These newly Spirit-filled followers began miraculously speaking in foreign tongues with those outside in the streets of Jerusalem, who were astounded to hear the Good News in their own languages. Their responses were dramatic. Thousands came to believe, the Gentiles become grafted into the family, and the early church numbers increased mightily.
Similar accounts of the Holy Spirit's power and assistance can be found in the other New Testament epistles of the Apostles Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude. What is certain is that the Holy Spirit was alive with activity and engagement. In fact, this passage shows how the Apostles often struggled to keep up with the work/opportunities of the Holy Spirit. New believers sprung up all over the Mediterranean region—the ripple effect of the power of the Holy Spirit to unveil and obliterate the dark, empty world of paganism. Evangelist A. W. Tozer states, "If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference."
Some people (known as known as cessationists) claim that the work of the Holy Spirit was limited to the first century. Yet, resting on the Apostle Paul's discussion of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, the Holy Spirit is just as active today as it was in the early church. Paul writes,
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts."
Based on the living testimonies of over a billion of believers worldwide, can one say that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit have stopped? People are still convicted and comforted. Discernment still occurs. Healings still happen. People still prophesy. The Holy Spirit still calls out for people in the world to draw close to God in Jesus Christ to find true love and forgiveness. The Holy Spirit has never ceased in His efforts to implement the plan of God, and as a faithful member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit will never abandon God's followers. Just don't forget—Jesus lovingly promised us this.