The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

Dec 11, 2025
5 min read

The personality and deity of the Holy Spirit appears from the attributed ascribed to him and from his works.

He is revealed as sharing the work of creation and therefore omnipotent

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Job 26:13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

The Holy Spirit as Omni Present

As Striving with Men,

Genesis 6:3 ¶ And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

As Enlightening,

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Enduring with Constructive Skill,

Exodus 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Giving physical Strength,

Judges 14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

Executive Ability and Wisdom,

Judges 3:10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

Enabling Men to Receive and Utter Divine Revelations,

Numbers 11:26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.

2Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

And Generally, as Empowering the Servants of God,

Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Joel 2:28 ¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

He is called Holy,

Psalms 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

He is called Good,

Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

The Spirit of Judgment and Burning,

Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

Of Jehovah, of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Good, Knowledge, The Fear of the LORD,

Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; and of grace and supplications,

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

In the Old Testament, the Spirit acts in free sovereignty coming upon men and even upon a dumb beast as he will nor are conditions set forth in the New testament by complying with which any one may receive the spirit

The indwelling of every believer by the abiding Spirit is a New Testament blessing consequent upon the death and resurrection of Christ

John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

The Old Testament contain predictions of a future pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel,

Ezekiel 37:14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. and upon all flesh,

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Joel 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

The expectation of Israel, therefore was twofold- of the coming of the Messiah- Immanuel, and of such an effusion of the Spirit as the prophets described,

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Father and Son,

Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

And the Spirit is distinctly recognized in His personality and to him are ascribed all the divine attributes.