Genesis 1 · John 14–16 · Acts 2 · Romans 8 · Bible Study
The Holy Spirit
The Comforter, the Spirit of Truth
The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity with the Father and the Son. He moved at creation, spoke through the prophets, came upon Jesus, filled the church at Pentecost, and lives in every believer today, to comfort, teach and make us more like Christ.
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit at a Glance
Bible Study
Note: Scripture quotations and verse links on this site use the King James Version (KJV) because it is in the public domain, while most modern translations limit how much can be quoted online. Feel free to read along in the translation of your choice.
Third Person
Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19)
At Creation
He moved upon the waters (Genesis 1:2)
Pentecost
Poured out on the church (Acts 2)
In Every Believer
His temple is our body (1 Corinthians 6:19)
About the Holy Spirit
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Who He Is
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not a force or a feeling. He is God, fully equal with the Father and the Son, and He is a Person who speaks, teaches, guides, loves and can be grieved.
When Ananias lied “to the Holy Ghost,” Peter told him, “thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:3–4). The Spirit has the attributes of God: He is eternal (Hebrews 9:14), everywhere present (Psalm 139:7), and all-knowing, for “the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19): one name, three Persons.
He is also a Person, not a power to be used. He teaches (John 14:26), speaks (Acts 13:2), guides (John 16:13), prays for us (Romans 8:26), gives gifts “as He will” (1 Corinthians 12:11), and can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). For more on the one God in three Persons, see The Trinity.
His Names
The Comforter
Scripture calls Him the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of truth and the Comforter. The King James Version usually calls Him the Holy Ghost, an older English word for spirit.
Jesus called Him “another Comforter” (John 14:16), from a Greek word, paraclete, for one called alongside to help, encourage and plead our cause. He is “the Spirit of truth” (John 16:13), “the Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9), “the Spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15), “the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29) and “the eternal Spirit” (Hebrews 9:14).
“Ghost” in 1611 English simply meant spirit, so “Holy Ghost” and “Holy Spirit” name the same Person. The King James Version uses “Holy Ghost” about ninety times and “Holy Spirit” seven times (for example Luke 11:13 and Ephesians 4:30). This page uses Holy Spirit in its own words and keeps the KJV’s wording in every quotation.
Why It Matters
God with Us
Jesus said it was good for His disciples that He go away, so that the Comforter would come. Through the Spirit, God Himself lives in His people and makes the Christian life possible.
On the night before the cross Jesus said, “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” (John 16:7). The Spirit convicts the world of sin and draws people to Christ (John 16:8), gives new birth (John 3:5), and lives in every believer (Romans 8:9).
Without Him no one can understand spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14), live a holy life (Galatians 5:16), or serve with power (Acts 1:8). He is the seal and pledge of our salvation until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13–14). To know the Holy Spirit is to know God near at hand.
Key Verse
The Comforter Will Come
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
John 14:26 (KJV)
Key Themes
Six Truths About the Holy Spirit
These six truths run through everything the Bible says about the Spirit.
1
He Is God
Lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God.
“thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
ACTS 5:4
2
He Is a Person
He teaches, guides and can be grieved.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
EPHESIANS 4:30
3
He Gives New Life
No one enters God’s kingdom without being born of the Spirit.
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
JOHN 3:5
4
He Lives in Believers
Every Christian is a temple of the Spirit.
“know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you”
1 CORINTHIANS 6:19
5
He Points to Jesus
The Spirit’s work is to glorify Christ.
“He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
JOHN 16:14
6
He Gives Power
The Spirit makes believers bold witnesses for Christ.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you”
ACTS 1:8
From Genesis to Revelation
What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit
Genesis 1The Spirit at Creation
The Holy Spirit appears in the Bible’s second verse: “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). Father, Son and Spirit worked together in creation. Job says, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life” (Job 33:4), and the psalmist sings, “Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created” (Psalm 104:30).
Exodus · Judges · 1 SamuelThe Spirit Upon God’s Servants
In the Old Testament the Spirit came upon people for special tasks. He filled Bezalel with skill to build the tabernacle (Exodus 31:3), rested on the seventy elders with Moses (Numbers 11:25), and came mightily upon judges like Gideon and Samson (Judges 6:34; 14:6). When Samuel anointed David, “the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13).
2 Peter 1:21The Spirit Who Spoke by the Prophets
The Holy Spirit is the true Author of Scripture. David said, “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and His word was in my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2), and Peter explains that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). That is why “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16), and why the Bible is without error.
Ezekiel 36 · Joel 2The Promise of the Spirit
The prophets looked ahead to a day when God would give His Spirit not to a few but to all His people. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you,” God said, “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes” (Ezekiel 36:26–27). Through Joel He promised, “I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28).
Luke 1 · Matthew 3 · Luke 4The Spirit and Jesus
The Spirit was at work in every part of Jesus’ life. The angel told Mary, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee” (Luke 1:35). At Jesus’ baptism the Spirit descended “like a dove” upon Him (Matthew 3:16). Full of the Spirit, Jesus was led into the wilderness, and He began His ministry in Nazareth with the words, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me” (Luke 4:18). Through the eternal Spirit He offered Himself to God on the cross (Hebrews 9:14).
John 14–16Another Comforter
On the night before He died, Jesus promised, “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). The Spirit would teach the disciples and bring Jesus’ words to their remembrance (14:26), testify of Christ (15:26), convict the world “of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (16:8), and guide them into all truth (16:13).
Acts 2The Day of Pentecost
Fifty days after the resurrection, the disciples were gathered in Jerusalem when “there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,” and tongues like fire sat upon each of them. “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2–4). Peter preached Christ, and about three thousand people believed and were baptized. The church was born. See The Church Is Created.
John 3 · Romans 8New Life in the Spirit
The Spirit brings people to faith. He convicts of sin, opens hearts to the gospel, and gives new birth: God saved us “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). Every believer has the Spirit, for “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Romans 8:9). He seals us as God’s own (Ephesians 1:13), assures us that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16), and helps us pray (Romans 8:26).
Galatians 5 · Ephesians 5Walking in the Spirit
The Christian life is lived in the Spirit’s strength. “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). As we follow Him, He grows His fruit in us: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22–23). He gives gifts to every believer for the good of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7), and we are told, “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
At a Glance
The Holy Spirit at a Glance
The Holy Spirit on one page: who He is, a chart of His work, His names and symbols, His work in the Old Testament, in Jesus and in believers, the fruit and gifts of the Spirit, and how to walk in the Spirit today. Tap a topic to jump to it.
Printable Copy
Save or Print the Infographic
Everything in this section, with the key verse and key themes, is also on a printable infographic (six pages). It opens in a new tab, where you can save it to your phone or computer, share it, or print it.
Who He Is
The Holy Spirit Is God
The Bible shows the Holy Spirit doing what only God can do and having what only God has.
GOD
Called God
To lie to the Spirit is to lie to God.
ACTS 5:3–4
ETERNAL
The Eternal Spirit
He has no beginning and no end.
“who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God”
HEBREWS 9:14
EVERYWHERE
Everywhere Present
There is nowhere to flee from His presence.
“Whither shall I go from Thy spirit?”
PSALM 139:7
ALL-KNOWING
Knows All Things
He knows even the deep things of God.
“for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
1 CORINTHIANS 2:10
CREATOR
Gives Life
He made us and gives us breath.
“The Spirit of God hath made me”
JOB 33:4
ONE NAME
With the Father and Son
One name, three Persons.
“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”
MATTHEW 28:19
Chart
The Work of the Holy Spirit Chart
Eighteen works of the Holy Spirit on one chart: in the Old Testament, in the life of Jesus, and in the life of every believer.
The same works are explained, with verses, in the sections below this chart.
His Names
Names and Titles of the Holy Spirit
Each name in Scripture shows something of who the Spirit is and what He does.
The Comforter
One called alongside to help and encourage.
“and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever”
JOHN 14:16
The Spirit of Truth
He leads God’s people into the truth.
“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth”
JOHN 16:13
The Spirit of God
The Spirit who moved at creation.
“And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
GENESIS 1:2
The Spirit of Christ
Sent by the Son, He makes Christ known.
“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”
ROMANS 8:9
The Spirit of Adoption
He makes us know God as our Father.
“but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
ROMANS 8:15
The Spirit of Life
He sets believers free from sin and death.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
ROMANS 8:2
Pictures in Scripture
Symbols of the Holy Spirit
The Bible uses everyday pictures to help us understand the Spirit’s work.
DOVE
Gentle and Pure
He came upon Jesus at His baptism.
“He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him”
MATTHEW 3:16
WIND
Unseen but Powerful
We cannot see the wind, but we see what it does.
“The wind bloweth where it listeth”
JOHN 3:8
FIRE
Purifying Presence
Tongues like fire at Pentecost.
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire”
ACTS 2:3
WATER
Living Water
He satisfies the thirsty soul.
“But this spake He of the Spirit”
JOHN 7:39
OIL
Anointing
Kings and priests were anointed with oil.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power”
ACTS 10:38
SEAL
Owned and Kept
A seal marks ownership and keeps safe.
“ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise”
EPHESIANS 1:13
Before Pentecost
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Long before Pentecost, the Spirit was at work in creation, in God’s servants and in God’s Word.
BEZALEL
Skill to Build
Filled to make the tabernacle.
“And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding”
EXODUS 31:3
GIDEON
Courage to Lead
The Spirit clothed a fearful man.
“But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon”
JUDGES 6:34
DAVID
Anointed King
From the day Samuel anointed him.
“and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.”
1 SAMUEL 16:13
THE PROPHETS
God’s Word Spoken
The Spirit spoke through them.
“The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and His word was in my tongue.”
2 SAMUEL 23:2
ZERUBBABEL
Not by Might
God’s work is done in God’s strength.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
ZECHARIAH 4:6
THE PROMISE
Poured Out on All
A promise kept at Pentecost.
“I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh”
JOEL 2:28
The Spirit and the Son
The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus
Isaiah foretold that the Spirit would rest on the Messiah, and the Gospels show it at every step.
Conceived by the Spirit
The Son of God took on flesh.
“The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee”
LUKE 1:35
Anointed at His Baptism
Father, Son and Spirit all present.
“and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
MATTHEW 3:17
Led into the Wilderness
Full of the Spirit, He overcame the tempter.
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan”
LUKE 4:1
Preaching in Power
He read Isaiah 61 in Nazareth.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor”
LUKE 4:18
Casting Out Devils
Proof that God’s kingdom had come.
“But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”
MATTHEW 12:28
Raised from the Dead
The same Spirit will raise believers.
“But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you”
ROMANS 8:11
“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”Isaiah 11:2 (KJV)
In Every Believer
What the Holy Spirit Does for Believers
Every Christian has the Holy Spirit. Here is what He does in the lives of God’s people.
1
Convicts
He shows people their need of Christ.
“And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment”
JOHN 16:8
2
Gives New Birth
He makes us new creatures.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”
TITUS 3:5
3
Lives Within
God makes His home in us.
“and ye are not your own?”
1 CORINTHIANS 6:19
4
Assures
He tells our hearts that we belong to God.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”
ROMANS 8:16
5
Teaches
He opens the Scriptures to us.
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God”
1 CORINTHIANS 2:14
6
Prays for Us
When we do not know what to pray.
“but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
ROMANS 8:26
Fruit and Gifts
The Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is the character He grows in every believer. The gifts of the Spirit are abilities He gives for serving others in the church.
The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)
1
Love
Seeking another’s good, as God loves us.
1 JOHN 4:19
2
Joy
Gladness in the Lord, whatever comes.
PHILIPPIANS 4:4
3
Peace
Rest of heart that comes from God.
PHILIPPIANS 4:7
4
Longsuffering
Patience with people and trials.
COLOSSIANS 1:11
5
Gentleness
Kindness in word and deed.
EPHESIANS 4:32
6
Goodness
Doing what is right and generous.
ROMANS 15:14
7
Faith
Faithfulness: trustworthy and loyal.
1 CORINTHIANS 4:2
8
Meekness
Strength under God’s control.
MATTHEW 11:29
9
Temperance
Self-control in every part of life.
1 CORINTHIANS 9:25
The Gifts of the Spirit
One Spirit, Many Gifts
Every believer is given a gift to serve the body of Christ.
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”
1 CORINTHIANS 12:7
Lists in Scripture
Teaching, serving, giving, leading, mercy, faith, wisdom, knowledge and more.
ROMANS 12:6–8; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:8–10
Given for Others
Gifts are for building up the church, used in love.
“forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”
1 CORINTHIANS 14:12
Love is the “more excellent way” that every gift must serve (1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13).
For Today
Walking in the Spirit Today
The Holy Spirit is not only to be studied but followed. Here is how Scripture calls us to live by His strength.
1
Walk in the Spirit
Step by step, follow His leading.
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
GALATIANS 5:16
2
Be Filled with the Spirit
Let Him fill and control your life.
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit”
EPHESIANS 5:18
3
Do Not Grieve Him
Put away bitterness, anger and evil speaking.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God”
EPHESIANS 4:30
4
Do Not Quench Him
Do not hold back when He prompts you.
“Quench not the Spirit.”
1 THESSALONIANS 5:19
5
Be Led by Him
God’s children follow God’s Spirit.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
ROMANS 8:14
6
Ask the Father
God gives the Spirit gladly to His children.
“how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”
LUKE 11:13
Bible Study
Read About the Holy Spirit in Scripture
The Holy Spirit is at work from the first chapter of the Bible to the last. These passages gather the key ones in five parts. Tap a part below to jump to it, tap any section to expand it, and tap a verse reference to read it in the King James Version at BibleGateway.
Part I
The Spirit in the Old Testament
Genesis – Malachi · Creation, God’s servants, the prophets and the promise.
- The Spirit moves upon the waters · Genesis 1:1–2
- The Spirit of God hath made me · Job 33:4
- Thou sendest forth Thy spirit · Psalm 104:30
- Bezalel filled with the Spirit · Exodus 31:1–6
- The Spirit on the seventy elders · Numbers 11:16–29
- The Spirit upon Gideon · Judges 6:33–35
- The Spirit upon David · 1 Samuel 16:13
- Take not Thy holy spirit from me · Psalm 51:10–12
- The Spirit shall rest upon the Branch · Isaiah 11:1–2
- A new heart and a new spirit · Ezekiel 36:25–27
- I will pour out My spirit · Joel 2:28–32
- Not by might, but by My spirit · Zechariah 4:6
Part II
The Spirit and Jesus
The Gospels · The Spirit in the birth, baptism and ministry of the Son of God.
- The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee · Luke 1:26–38
- The Spirit descends like a dove · Matthew 3:13–17
- He that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost · John 1:29–34
- Led by the Spirit into the wilderness · Luke 4:1–13
- The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me · Luke 4:14–21
- Casting out devils by the Spirit of God · Matthew 12:22–32
- Born of the Spirit · John 3:1–8
- Rivers of living water · John 7:37–39
- Your Father will give the Holy Spirit · Luke 11:9–13
Part III
The Promise of the Comforter
John 14–16 · Jesus’ teaching on the night before the cross.
- The Spirit of truth will abide with you · John 14:15–18
- He shall teach you all things · John 14:25–27
- The Spirit testifies of Christ · John 15:26–27
- He will reprove the world · John 16:7–11
- He will guide you into all truth · John 16:12–15
- Receive ye the Holy Ghost · John 20:19–23
Part IV
The Spirit Poured Out
Acts · Pentecost and the Spirit’s work in the early church.
- Ye shall receive power · Acts 1:4–8
- Filled with the Holy Ghost · Acts 2:1–13
- Peter’s sermon and three thousand saved · Acts 2:14–41
- Filled again and speaking boldly · Acts 4:23–31
- Lying to the Holy Ghost · Acts 5:1–11
- The Spirit given in Samaria · Acts 8:14–17
- The Spirit falls on the Gentiles · Acts 10:44–48
- Separate Me Barnabas and Saul · Acts 13:1–4
- The Spirit guides Paul’s journey · Acts 16:6–10
Part V
Life in the Spirit
The Letters · What the Spirit does in every believer today.
- The law of the Spirit of life · Romans 8:1–17
- The Spirit helps our weakness · Romans 8:26–27
- Sealed with the Spirit of promise · Ephesians 1:13–14
- The Spirit reveals the things of God · 1 Corinthians 2:9–16
- One Spirit, many gifts · 1 Corinthians 12:1–13
- Gifts differing according to grace · Romans 12:3–8
- The fruit of the Spirit · Galatians 5:16–26
- Grieve not the holy Spirit · Ephesians 4:30–32
- Be filled with the Spirit · Ephesians 5:15–21
- Quench not the Spirit · 1 Thessalonians 5:16–23
Questions
Questions About the Holy Spirit
Is the Holy Spirit a person or a force?
The Holy Spirit is a Person. Jesus spoke of Him as “He,” not “it” (John 16:13). He teaches (John 14:26), speaks (Acts 13:2), has a mind (Romans 8:27), gives gifts as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), and can be lied to (Acts 5:3) and grieved (Ephesians 4:30). A force cannot do any of these things.
Is the Holy Spirit God?
Yes. Peter said that lying to the Holy Ghost was lying to God (Acts 5:3–4). The Spirit is eternal (Hebrews 9:14), everywhere present (Psalm 139:7–8) and knows all things (1 Corinthians 2:10–11). He is named equally with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). There is one God in three Persons. See The Trinity.
Is the Holy Ghost the same as the Holy Spirit?
Yes. In the English of 1611, “ghost” meant spirit, so the King James Version usually says Holy Ghost and sometimes Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8). Both name the same Person.
When does a believer receive the Holy Spirit?
When a person trusts in Christ: “after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). Every true believer has the Spirit, for “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Romans 8:9). Believers are then told to keep on being filled with the Spirit, yielding to Him day by day (Ephesians 5:18).
What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?
Ephesians 5:18 contrasts being drunk with wine, which controls a person for evil, with being filled with the Spirit, who leads a person in what is right. A Spirit-filled life shows itself in worship, thankfulness and humble service (Ephesians 5:19–21), in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), and in bold witness for Christ (Acts 4:31).
What is the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost?
Jesus warned that “the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men” (Matthew 12:31). He said it when religious leaders, seeing His miracles done by the Spirit of God, called them the work of the devil (Matthew 12:24–28). It is a hardened, final rejection of the Spirit’s witness to Christ. Anyone who is troubled that they may have done it shows by that very concern that their heart is still open to God, who promises, “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
Galatians 5:22–23 lists it: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance.” It is one fruit with nine qualities, the character of Christ that the Spirit grows in every believer who walks with Him.
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Scripture quotations and verse links are from the King James Version (KJV).