Most Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity, after God, the Father and Jesus, the Son, and that He is divine, as in Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each equally God. Many Christian theologians identify the Holy Spirit with the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Breath) of Jewish Scripture, and with the Ruach Elohim (Spirit of God), Ruach YHWH (Spirit of Yahweh), and Ruach Hakmah (Spirit of Wisdom). Genesis 1:2 reads, "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Many Christians believe that this verse refers to the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is identified with the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of Truth, and the Paraclete (Comforter). The Gospels of Matthew and Luke state that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove during his baptism by John the Baptist, and during the Last Supper, Jesus promised his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit. After Christ's resurrection, He instructed his disciples to teach all of the nations, and to baptize them "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." The Holy Spirit does not appear for the first time at Pentecost, although He does come with power, filling the apostles with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is also said to have inspired the Bible authors, and allowed the apostles and disciples to perform miracles in the days of the Early Church. Many Christians believe that He is also inspires and empower Christians to peform miracles today, although many Christian scholars believe that the gifts of the Spirit were for the apostles alone. Although most Christian denominations and groups believe the Holy Spirit to be an individual and a divine Person, some Christian scholars and denominations believe that the Holy Spirit refers to the will or the spirit of God, the Father.
Recommended Resources
The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity. Fully God, He is eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, has a will, and can speak. He is not particularly visible in the Bible because His ministry was to bear witness of Jesus. For his Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, Matt Slick offers an overview of the Holy Spirit, including His names, attributes, symbols, and power in Christ’s life. The works of the Holy Spirit are stated, with Scriptural references.
http://carm.org/holy-spirit
Foundation for the Holy Spirit
The ministry offers a metaphysical interpretation of the New Testament that purports to give the Holy Spirit’s message, teaching oneness as the only truth, and to promote a book entitled “The Holy Spirit’s Interpretation of the New Testament,” which is available in print or MP3 audio format. The organization’s logo and board of directors are defined, and a synopsis of the book is given.
http://www.forholyspirit.org/
Group Bible Study: The Holy Spirit Reveals Truth
Available in multiple languages, the study by Keith Thomas reviews the names by which the Holy Spirit is known, as well as His roles, not only in the beginnings of the Christian church but in the lives of Christians today. Study notes for this and other studies into the Holy Spirit and other Christian topics are available online or in downloadable DOC or PDF format, with some studies in video format, as well.
http://groupbiblestudy.com/tag/the-holy-spirit/
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) offers its perspective on the Holy Ghost as the third member of the Godhead, working in harmony with the Father and Jesus Christ. The names and roles of the Holy Ghost are given, along with a topical guide on the Holy Ghost and on the gift of the Holy Ghost, and articles by several church leaders on subjects relating to the Holy Ghost.
https://www.lds.org/topics/holy-ghost
Based on the research and writings of Paul E. Smith, the site focuses on the Holy Spirit, and includes several Bible studies on such topics as the Person of the Holy Spirit, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the fruits and gifts of the Spirit, what the Holy Spirit tells us about Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit, as well as peripheral topics, such as the Trinity, and the role of angels in heaven and on earth.
http://www.theholyspirit.com/
The entry from the online encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity offers information about the personhood, deity and roles of the Holy Spirit, as well as the various titles that apply to the Spirit. Includes are such topics as the promise of the Holy Spirit, what the gifts of the Spirit are, what is meant by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit. Bible references and MP3 recordings are included.
http://www.theopedia.com/Holy_Spirit
