What Jesus says about the Holy Spirit
I occasionally talk to believers who find it hard to understand why the Holy Ghost, as well as the Father and the Son, is God - one of the three persons of the Trinity. I usually use examples from Scripture to show the qualities and actions that identify the Father and the Son as persons, and that the Holy Ghost is described in the same way as a person. Then I name the many titles used to refer to the Holy Spirit in the Bible. And finally, I'll talk about what Jesus taught about the Holy Spirit. In this letter, I will focus on his teachings.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit in three ways: Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, and Paraklētos (a Greek word rendered in various versions of the Bible as intercessor, counselor, helper, and comforter). Scripture shows that Jesus did not view the Holy Spirit merely as a source of power. The word paraklētos means “one who stands by” and is commonly referred to in Greek literature as a person who represents and defends someone in a matter. In the writings of John, Jesus refers to himself as paraklētos and uses the same term in reference to the Holy Spirit.
The evening before his execution, Jesus told his disciples that he would forsake them3,33), but promised not to leave them "orphans" (John 14,18). In his place, he promised, he would ask the Father to send "another Comforter [Paraklētos]" to be with them (John 14,16). By saying "another," Jesus indicated that there is a first (himself) and that the one who would come, like himself, would be a divine Person of the Trinity, not just a force. Jesus ministered to them as Paraklētos - in his presence (even amidst severe storms) the disciples found the courage and strength to step out of their "comfort zones" to join his ministry on behalf of all mankind. Jesus' farewell was imminent and understandably they were deeply troubled. Up to that point Jesus was the Paraklētos of the disciples (cf 1. John 2,1, where Jesus is referred to as the “Intercessor” [Paraklētos]). Thereafter (especially after Pentecost) the Holy Spirit would be their Advocate—their ever-present Counselor, Comforter, Helper, and Teacher. What Jesus promised his disciples and what the Father sent was not just a Power but a Person - the third person of the Trinity whose ministry is to accompany and guide the disciples on the Christian path.
We see the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible: in 1. Moses 1: he floats on the water; in the Gospel of Luke: he overshadowed Mary. He is mentioned 56 times in the four Gospels, 57 times in the Acts of the Apostles and 112 times in the letters of the Apostle Paul. In these scriptures we see the work of the Holy Spirit as a person in many ways: comforting, teaching, guiding, warning; in the selection and bestowal of gifts, as an aid in helpless prayer; affirming us as adopted children, liberating us to invoke God as our Abba (Father) as Jesus did. Follow Jesus' guidance: but when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you in all truth. Because he will not speak from himself; but what he will hear he will speak, and what will be in the future he will announce to you. He will glorify me; for he will take from what is mine and announce it to you. Everything the father has is mine. That is why I said: He will take what is mine and tell it to you (John 16,13-15).
In communion with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit has a special task. Instead of speaking from himself, he points people to Jesus, who then brings them to the Father. Instead of doing His will, the Holy Spirit accepts the will of the Father according to what the Son makes known. The divine will of the one, united, triune God proceeds from the Father through the Word (Jesus) and is carried out through the Holy Spirit. We can now rejoice and receive help from the personal presence of God in the work of the Holy Spirit, our Paraklētos. Our service and our worship belong to the Triune God, in three divine persons, being one in being, acting, wanting and aiming. Thankful for the Holy Spirit and his work.
Joseph Tkach
President
GRACE COMMUNION INTERNATIONAL
Title of the Holy Spirit in the Bible
Holy Spirit (Psalm 51,13; Ephesians 1,13)
Spirit of advice and strength (Isaiah 11,2)
Spirit of judgment (Isaiah 4,4)
Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11,2)
Spirit of grace and prayer [supplication] (Zechariah 12,10)
Power of the Most High (Luke 1,35)
Spirit of God (1. Corinthians 3,16)
Spirit of Christ (Romans 8,9)
Eternal Spirit of God (Hebrews 9,14)
Spirit of Truth (John 16,13)
Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10,29)
Spirit of Glory (1. Petrus 4,14)
Spirit of Life (Romans 8,2)
Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation (Ephesians 1,17)
The Comforter (John 14,26)
The Spirit of Promise (Acts 1,4-5)
Childhood spirit [adoption] (Romans 8,15)
Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1,4)
Spirit of Faith (2. Corinthians 4,13)