The doctrine of the Trinity stands as a central mystery of Christian theology. While Judaism and Islam affirm monotheism, Christianity uniquely proclaims that the one true God exists as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This triune reality is not three separate gods, but one indivisible essence. Though the term “Trinity” does not appear in Scripture, its truth permeates both Old and New Testaments. Among the divine persons, the Holy Spirit’s role is often the most misunderstood—sometimes overshadowed by the more visible ministries of the Father and the Son.
This article seeks to clarify the identity and work of the Holy Spirit across biblical history, theology, and mission—from creation through Pentecost to the present-day Church.
One God in Three Persons
Before exploring the Holy Spirit’s role, it is essential to affirm the unity of God. Henry Thiessen writes, “The unity of God means that there is but one God and that the divine nature is undivided and indivisible.”¹ Scripture proclaims, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deut. 6:4). Divine simplicity precludes division or composition.² However, the doctrine of the Trinity—grounded in revelation rather than reason—asserts that this one God eternally exists as three persons.³
The Father, Son, and Spirit are coequal and coeternal. They are distinguishable, yet inseparable. Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson explain that the three persons “live in one another—as three persons within the one divine essence.”⁴
The Holy Spirit Is Fully God ️
The Holy Spirit is not one-third of God, but fully God. Bruce Ware affirms, “He eternally exists along with the Father and the Son, each of whom also possesses fully the identically same divine nature.”⁵ While the Father’s deity is often assumed, and the Son’s affirmed through His miracles and resurrection, the Spirit’s deity requires careful theological reflection.
In Acts 5, Peter confronts Ananias: “You have not lied just to human beings but to God” (v. 4). Yet moments earlier, he says Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit (v. 3). The parallel affirms the Spirit’s divine status.⁶ Paul similarly equates God’s presence with the Spirit’s indwelling (1 Cor. 3:16–17). Moreover, the Spirit shares attributes with God—omniscience (1 Cor. 2:10–11), divine speech (John 16:13), and equality in the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19).⁷
The Spirit’s Work in the Old Testament
Though often overlooked, the Spirit’s presence in the Old Testament is pervasive. Philip Cary notes that many prophetic and poetic utterances attributed to human authors were actually inspired by the Spirit.⁸
The Spirit’s creative activity begins in Genesis: “The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Gen. 1:2). Job and Isaiah also connect divine breath with creation (Job 26:13; Isa. 32:15).⁹ Pentecost observes, “The Holy Spirit was an active agent in creation.”¹⁰
Prophetic inspiration was another key role. Ezekiel writes, “The Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet” (Ezek. 2:2), and Peter confirms that prophets “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21).¹¹ Administrative gifting also came by the Spirit—for example, in Joseph (Gen. 41:38) and the elders of Israel (Num. 11:25). Kings and artisans were empowered for leadership and service, including David (1 Sam. 16:13).¹²
The Spirit in the New Testament and in Christ’s Ministry ️
The Holy Spirit’s work continues and intensifies in the New Testament. The Spirit enabled the virgin conception of Jesus (Luke 1:35), filled John the Baptist before birth (Luke 1:15), and descended visibly at Jesus’ baptism (Matt. 3:16).
Fred Sanders notes, “While remaining the focal point, Jesus is consistently depicted as surrounded by the person and work of the Holy Spirit.”¹³ Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Matt. 4:1), empowered for teaching and healing (Luke 4:14), and performed miracles through the Spirit (Matt. 12:28). To deny the Spirit’s role was considered blasphemy (Matt. 12:31–32).¹⁴
Pentecost and the Birth of the Church
At Pentecost, the Spirit empowered the disciples to become bold witnesses (Acts 2:1–4). The transformation was immediate—they preached publicly and performed miracles (Acts 2:14–36; Acts 3:6–8). Paul testified to the Spirit’s gift of courage and self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:7).
The Spirit not only empowered individuals but launched the global mission of the Church. Jesus declared, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8). Julie Ma affirms, “When the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts, the missionary spirit comes in with it; they are inseparable.”¹⁵
The Spirit and Mission
The Spirit continues to work in revival movements, missionary outreach, and personal transformation. Byron Klaus emphasizes the Spirit’s role in eschatological mission, while Wonsuk Ma highlights the supernatural as a defining trait of Pentecostal missions.¹⁶ Alistair Wilson reflects, “If the nineteenth century was the great century of foreign missions, the twentieth has been dubbed the century of the Holy Spirit.”¹⁷
As Erickson notes, the Spirit enables, equips, and empowers believers with gifts for ministry. His work is sovereign, varied, and integral to spiritual growth.¹⁸
Conclusion: The Spirit Who Transforms and Dwells
From creation to consummation, the Holy Spirit has revealed, empowered, and sustained God’s people. He is the divine author of Scripture, the guide of prophets, the presence in the Church, and the fire behind the mission. Gregg Allison writes, “Written by human authors, [Scripture] is the Word of God because of the Spirit’s speaking in and through those writers.”¹⁹
To know the Holy Spirit is to know the triune God—one in essence, three in person, united in love and mission.
References
- Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, rev. Vernon Doerksen (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2006), 89.
- Ibid.
- Ibid., 90.
- Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson, Christian Theology: The Biblical Story and Our Faith (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2020).
- Bruce A. Ware, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2005), 72.
- Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 782.
- Ibid., 783.
- Philip Cary, The History of Christian Theology (Chantilly, VA: The Teaching Company, 2004), 81.
- Erickson, Christian Theology, 789.
- J. Dwight Pentecost, The Divine Comforter (Papamoa Press, 2019).
- Erickson, Christian Theology, 790.
- Ibid., 791.
- Fred Sanders, The Triune God, ed. Michael Allen and Scott R. Swain (Zondervan Academic, 2016).
- Erickson, Christian Theology, 793.
- Julie Ma, “The Holy Spirit in Mission,” Dialog 54, no. 2 (2015): 171.
- Byron Klaus, “The Holy Spirit and Mission,” Pneuma 27, no. 2 (2005): 322–342; Wonsuk Ma, “The Holy Spirit in Pentecostal Mission,” IBMR 41, no. 3 (2017).
- Alistair I. Wilson, “The Holy Spirit in Mission,” Conspectus 31, no. 1 (2021): 71.
- Erickson, Christian Theology, 803.
- Gregg Allison and Andreas J. Köstenberger, The Holy Spirit, ed. David S. Dockery (B&H Publishing, 2020), 359.
Bibliography
Allison, Gregg, and Andreas J. Köstenberger. The Holy Spirit. Edited by David S. Dockery. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2020.
Cary, Philip. The History of Christian Theology. Chantilly, VA: The Teaching Company, 2004.
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Klaus, Byron D. “The Holy Spirit and Mission in Eschatological Perspective: A Pentecostal Viewpoint.” Pneuma: The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies 27, no. 2 (2005): 322–342.
Ma, Julie. “The Holy Spirit in Mission.” Dialog 54, no. 2 (2015): 171–179.
Ma, Wonsuk. “The Holy Spirit in Pentecostal Mission: The Shaping of Mission.” International Bulletin of Mission Research 41, no. 3 (2017): 217–226.
Morgan, Christopher W., and Robert A. Peterson. Christian Theology: The Biblical Story and Our Faith. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2020.
Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Divine Comforter: The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. Papamoa Press, 2019.
Sanders, Fred. The Triune God. Edited by Michael Allen and Scott R. Swain. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2016.
Thiessen, Henry C. Lectures in Systematic Theology. Revised by Vernon D. Doerksen. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2006.
Ware, Bruce A. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2005.
Wilson, Alistair I. “The Holy Spirit in Relation to Mission and World Christianity: A Reformed Perspective.” Conspectus 31, no. 1 (2021): 67–82.
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