Category: Theology 101
The Work of the Holy Spirit (Cont'd)
The Spirit in Various Other Aspects
The Spirit of God cannot be received by unbelievers because they do not behold Him or know Him (Jn. 14:16, 17). He is the Helper promised to the disciples and the means by which Christ abides with His people forever (Jn. 14:18; 16:5.). He comes to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (Jn. 16:8). And He takes what belongs to Christ and discloses it to the disciples (Jn. 16:15).
According to the Scripture, the Spirit is several things: the Spirit of truth (Jn. 14:17; 16:13); God (Jn. 4:24); living water which flows from a believer's innermost being (Jn. 7:38, 39); the Paraclete (Jn. 14:16f.); the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9; 1 Pt. 1:11); the Lord (2 Cor. 3:17); and the Spirit of grace (Heb. 10:29).
The Holy Spirit can be resisted and quenched, that is, the words which He gives to the prophets can be dismissed and disobeyed (Acts 7:51-53; 1 Thess. 5:19), and He can be grieved (Eph. 4:30). Furthermore, giving credit to Satan for the work of the Holy Spirit is a sin so grievous that it will not be forgiven by God (Mt. 12:22-32).
John said that Jesus would baptize the Pharisees with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Mt. 3:11). Just prior to His ascension, Jesus informed the apostles that they would be baptized by the Holy Spirit in a few days, by which He meant Pentecost (Acts. 1:5; 2:1f. This was referred to as the "promise of My Father" and "power from on high" in Lk. 24:49). Peter spoke of the gift of the Spirit given to believing Jews and Gentiles as fulfillment of Jesus' promise to baptize with the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:16f.).
The Holy Spirit is included equally with the Father and the Son in the baptismal formula (Mt. 28:19) and in the conclusion of 2 Corinthians (13:14). He appears with the Father (voice from heaven) and the Son at Jesus' baptism (Mt. 3:16, 17). Along with the Most High and the Son of God, the Spirit is included in the birth announcement given to Mary (Lk. 1:35). And He is called the "Eternal Spirit," alongside "Christ" and "God" in Hebrews 9:14.