The Holy Spirit—Person, Presence, or Power?

Not long after Christ founded the church, heresies began cropping up regarding the triune nature of God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.1 Today, we still see false beliefs about the triune God—perhaps none more than heresies attacking the role of the Holy Spirit.

At first glance, the details can appear subtle as these heresies describe the Holy Spirit as a presence or a power, while denying his personhood. For example, binitarianism is a small but growing heresy extending from the fourth century AD. Binitarianism is the belief that God exists as only two persons, Father and Son, rejecting the Holy Spirit’s deity and personhood and refusing to worship him as part of the Trinity.

If we are not discerning, these assertions can seem insignificant. But when we lack a biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role and existence, we risk creating a false god, less powerful than the triune God of Scripture whose three-in-one roles are equally purposeful in our lives. If we are to guard against heresies, we must understand that Scripture affirms the equal personhood of the Holy Spirit.

1. He Was Involved in Creation

In the Old Testament, the person of the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) is actively involved in the work of creation. Genesis 1:2 states that at the beginning of creation “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” The Hebrew word rûaḥ can be translated either as “Spirit” or “wind.” The latter term is used to suggest an impersonal force. The context, however, shows that the verb “hovering” more properly takes “Spirit” as its subject than “wind” (cf. Deuteronomy 32:11).2 The Spirit of God is co-participating in creation as he “hovers” over the waters preparing the way for the creative Word of God (Genesis 1:3) to transform the earth, readying it for habitation. The psalmist confirms that it is God’s Spirit who brings life: “When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground” (Psalm 104:30). Notice the Spirit is sent forth by the Father and therefore is distinct from him.

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (Job 33:4)

Scripture is also clear that the Holy Spirit had an individual role in creating mankind. In Job 33:4, Elihu acknowledges, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” The Spirit was actively involved in Elihu’s creation, just as in Adam’s creation (Genesis 2:7; cf. Genesis 1:26–27).

2. Jesus Refers to Him as a Distinct Person

In the New Testament, Jesus told his disciples that when he returns to the Father, he and the Father will send another Helper, “paraklētos” (cf. 1 John 2:1), the Holy Spirit to dwell in them (John 14:16, 26). Jesus presents the Holy Spirit as a divine person, as he is “eternal” (John 14:16), “truthful” (John 14:17), and will “teach” the disciples (John 14:26; cf. Luke 12:11–12). In John 15:26, Jesus further confirms the distinction between all three persons of the Trinity by sending the Holy Spirit from the Father.

Numerous New Testament texts make it difficult to deny that the Holy Spirit is an individual divine person like the Father and the Son.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

These texts, as well as others (such as Romans 15:16; Ephesians 2:18, 4:4–6; and Jude 20–21), show that the Holy Spirit cannot be merely referring to a presence or power. He is not only distinct from the Father and the Son but also equal to them.

3. He Is Referred to in Personal Descriptions

The Holy Spirit is a divine person (Acts 5:3–4) who is distinct from the persons of the Father and the Son. For example, personal pronouns are used by him (Acts 10:19–20); personal properties are assigned to him, such as wisdom, knowledge, might (Isaiah 11:2), and will (1 Corinthians 12:11); personal activities are ascribed to him—he speaks (Acts 13:2), he reveals (Luke 2:26), he comforts (Acts 9:31), he can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), and he can be lied to (Acts 5:3).

Furthermore, several New Testament authors identify the Holy Spirit as YHWH (יהוה) of the Old Testament (for example, Acts 28:25–27 quotes Isaiah 6:9–10 and 2 Corinthians 6:16 quotes Leviticus 26:11–12).3

4. He Fulfills an Individual Role

If the Holy Spirit is God, why does the Bible seem to focus more on Jesus than on the Holy Spirit? In his redemption role, the Holy Spirit does not point to himself but bears witness to Jesus and glorifies him (John 15:26, 16:14). The Holy Spirit is the helper (advocate) and sanctifier of Christians (John 15:26; Romans 15:16). The Holy Spirit’s role is to point our attention toward Jesus so that we can be conformed to his image. Jesus said it was for our advantage that he returned to the Father because the Holy Spirit “will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). We are in absolute need of the Holy Spirit when we call people to trust in Jesus because it is he who convicts them of sin and opens their hearts (Titus 3:5–7).

Importance of the Trinity

The personhood and deity of the Holy Spirit is important for Christians to know because when we do not teach and emphasize the importance of biblical doctrine, such as the Trinity, we open the door to heresy. We miss out on worshipping and honoring God accurately when we reject the Holy Spirit as a distinct, divine person who is fully equal with the Father and the Son.