
Resources to help you study the role and nature of the Holy Spirit.
Series: Who is the Holy Spirit?
Jump to: ** Spirit in OT; ** Spirit in NT; **Names of ** Word Use OT; ** Word Use NT; ** Encyclopedias; ** Articles; ** GotQuestions ** Next **
Spirit in the Old Testament
Creation
- The Spirit was involved in the creative process with the creative word to bring light out of darkness, order out of chaos and life out of emptiness.
- He is pictured like a wind hovering over the waters, waiting for the command of the Word to begin creative process.
Patriarchs
- Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams was recognized by pagans as a sign that God’s Spirit was with him (Genesis 41:38).
- The story assumes that the Spirit knew the Divine plan.
Mosaic Age
Ministries and manifestations of the Spirit in establishing the kingdom include:
- Technical ability in building the tabernacle (Exodus 28:3; Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:31). The Tabernacle’s builders had the Spirit upon them. The Spirit disclosed the divine mind to the builders and gave them the necessary skill to build.
- Leadership: administrative and judicial ability (Numbers 11:17; Numbers 11:25; Numbers 7:18). Moses was the one primarily gifted in this area.
- Recipients were sovereignly chosen to fulfill a role or task. God put His Spirit upon whomever He wanted.
- Gifting to fulfill a role/task was not permanent.
Judges – Monarchy
Ministries and manifestations of the Spirit in this age include:
- Military prowess (e.g Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29; Judges 13:35; 1 Samuel 11:6).
- Recipients were sovereignly chosen to fulfill a role or task. No clear connection between gift and moral character (e.g. Gideon, Jepthah & Samson).
- Gifting to fulfill a role/task was not permanent.
Prophets
- The Spirit is the source of prophetic ability (e.g. Isaiah 20:1; Micah 3:8).
- The Spirit is the source of revelation (e.g. Ezekiel 2:2; Ezekiel 3:12).
- The Spirit will endow the Servant of the LORD to bring justice and righteousness on earth (Isaiah 43:1-4; Isaiah 49:1-5).
- The Spirit will give God’s people a new heart with the ability to obey (e.g. Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:26-27; 39:29).
- In the age to come the Spirit will be given without measure (Joel 2:23-32).
- The kingdom will be established by the Spirit, not by human effort (Zechariah 4:6).
Spirit in the New Testament
Matthew-Mark
- Christ is endowed with the Spirit in fulfillment of OT expectation (Matthew 3:16; Matthew 12:18).
- The Old Testament is understood by the Spirit (Mark 22:43).
- The Spirit in Christ is greater than diabolical spirits (Matt 12:22ff). Jesus conquers sickness, demons and death.
Luke-Acts
- Birth of Jesus accompanied by manifestations of the Spirit (Luke 1).
- Christ ministered in the Spirit, just as Elijah (Luke 3; Luke 4:14-18).
- The disciples pray in the Spirit (Luke 11).
- The Holy Spirit teaches the disciples (Luke 12:12).
- Joel’s prophecy fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2).
- Church ministered in the power of the Spirit (58x in Acts).
John
- Christ endowed with the Spirit (John 1:32).
- Mankind must be transformed by the Spirit (John 3:5ff; John 6:23).
- Spirit will be given to the apostles and the Spirit will testify of Christ (John 14:16ff; John 15:26; John 16:13).
Paul
- Ministry of the Spirit distinguishes the New Covenant from the Old (Romans 2:29; 2 Corinthians 3).
- Spirit transforms all believers (1Cor 3:16; Gal 3:1; Romans 8:9; 1 Cor 6:19).
- The Holy Spirit is a permanent gift (seal and pledge; Eph 1:13).
Manifestations and ministries include:
- Justification and sanctification (Romans 5; Romans 8; Gal 5:18-25; 1 Cor 6:11).
- Illumination of revelation (1Cor 2; 2 Cor 3).
- Baptism into Christ’s body (1Cor 12:13)
- Diversity of gifts, roles and opportunities to serve (1Cor 12; Ephesians 4; Romans 12).
Names Applied to the Holy Spirit
Names in General
- The Spirit – e.g. Matthew 4:1; 1 John 4:13; Mark 1:10; Luke 4:1; John 1:31
- The Holy Spirit – e.g. Matthew 1:18; Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 12:3
- The Eternal Spirit – Hebrews 9:14
Names in Relation to the Father and the Son
- The Spirit of the Lord – Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1
- The Spirit of Christ – Romans 8:9
- The Spirit of Your Father – Matthew 10:20
- The Spirit of God – Matthew 3:16
- Spirit of Our God – 1 Corinthians 6:11
- Holy Spirit of God – Ephesians 4:30
- Spirit of the Living God – 2 Corinthians 3:3
- His Spirit – Ephesians 3:16; 1 John 4:3
Names in Relation to Believers
- The Comforter – John 14:16
- The Spirit of Truth – John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13
- Spirit of Grace – Hebrews 10:29
- The Spirit of Life – Romans 8:2
- Spirit of Adoption – Romans 8:15
- Holy Spirit of Promise – Ephesians 1:13
Word Use: OT (224x/205v)
Strongs H7307; רוּחַ rûach roo’-akh
From H7306; wind; by resemblance breath, that is, a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions): – air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit ([-ual]), tempest, X vain, ([whirl-]) wind (-y).
Gen 1:2; Gen 6:3; Gen 41:8; Gen 41:38; Gen 45:27; Exo 6:9; Exo 28:3; Exo 31:3; Exo 35:21; Exo 35:31; Num 5:14; Num 5:30; Num 11:17; Num 11:25; Num 11:26; Num 11:29; Num 14:24; Num 24:2; Num 27:18; Deut 2:30; Deut 34:9; Jos 2:11; Jos 5:1; Jdg 3:10; Jdg 6:34; Jdg 9:23; Jdg 11:29; Jdg 13:25; Jdg 14:6; Jdg 14:19; Jdg 15:14; Jdg 15:19; 1Sa 1:15; 1Sa 10:6; 1Sa 10:10; 1Sa 11:6; 1Sa 16:13; 1Sa 16:14; 1Sa 16:15; 1Sa 16:16; 1Sa 16:23; 1Sa 18:10; 1Sa 19:9; 1Sa 19:20; 1Sa 19:23; 1Sa 28:8; 1Sa 30:12; 2Sa 13:39; 2Sa 23:2; 1Ki 18:12; 1Ki 21:5; 1Ki 22:21; 1Ki 22:22; 1Ki 22:23; 1Ki 22:24; 2Ki 2:9; 2Ki 2:15; 2Ki 2:16; 2Ki 19:7; 1Ch 5:26; 1Ch 12:18; 2Ch 15:1; 2Ch 18:20; 2Ch 18:21; 2Ch 18:22; 2Ch 18:23; 2Ch 20:14; 2Ch 24:20; 2Ch 36:22; Ezr 1:1; Ezr 1:5; Neh 9:20; Neh 9:30; Job 4:15; Job 6:4; Job 7:11; Job 10:12; Job 15:13; Job 17:1; Job 20:3; Job 27:3; Job 32:8; Job 32:18; Job 33:4; Job 34:14; Psa 31:5; Psa 32:2; Psa 34:18; Psa 51:10; Psa 51:11; Psa 51:12; Psa 51:17; Psa 76:12; Psa 77:3; Psa 77:6; Psa 78:8; Psa 104:30; Psa 106:33; Psa 139:7; Psa 142:3; Psa 143:4; Psa 143:7; Psa 143:10; Pro 1:23; Pro 11:13; Pro 15:4; Pro 15:13; Pro 16:2; Pro 16:18; Pro 16:19; Pro 16:32; Pro 17:22; Pro 17:27; Pro 18:14; Pro 20:27; Pro 29:11; Pro 29:23; Ecc 3:21; Ecc 7:8; Ecc 7:9; Ecc 8:8; Ecc 11:5; Ecc 12:7; Isa 4:4; Isa 11:2; Isa 19:3; Isa 19:14; Isa 26:9; Isa 28:6; Isa 29:10; Isa 29:24; Isa 30:1; Isa 31:3; Isa 32:15; Isa 34:16; Isa 37:7; Isa 38:16; Isa 40:13; Isa 42:1; Isa 42:5; Isa 44:3; Isa 48:16; Isa 54:6; Isa 57:15; Isa 57:16; Isa 59:21; Isa 61:1; Isa 61:3; Isa 63:10; Isa 63:11; Isa 63:14; Isa 65:14; Isa 66:2; Jer 51:1; Jer 51:11; Lam 1:16; Eze 1:12; Eze 1:20; Eze 1:21; Eze 2:2; Eze 3:12; Eze 3:14; Eze 3:24; Eze 8:3; Eze 10:17; Eze 11:1; Eze 11:5; Eze 11:19; Eze 11:24; Eze 13:3; Eze 18:31; Eze 21:7; Eze 36:26; Eze 36:27; Eze 37:1; Eze 37:14; Eze 39:29; Eze 43:5; Dan 2:1; Dan 2:3; Dan 4:8; Dan 4:9; Dan 4:18; Dan 5:11; Dan 5:12; Dan 5:14; Dan 5:20; Dan 6:3; Dan 7:15; Hos 4:12; Hos 5:4; Hos 9:7; Joe 2:28; Joe 2:29; Mic 3:8; Hag 1:14; Hag 2:5; Zec 4:6; Zec 6:8; Zec 7:12; Zec 12:1; Zec 12:10; Zec 13:2; Mal 2:15; Mal 2:16
Word use: NT (344x/310v)
Strongs G4151 πνεῦμα pneuma pnyoo’-mah
From G4154; a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit: – ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. Compare G5590.
Mat 1:18; Mat 1:20; Mat 3:11; Mat 3:16; Mat 4:1; Mat 5:3; Mat 10:20; Mat 12:18; Mat 12:28; Mat 12:31; Mat 12:32; Mat 12:43; Mat 22:43; Mat 26:41; Mat 27:50; Mat 28:19; Mar 1:8; Mar 1:10; Mar 1:12; Mar 1:23; Mar 1:26; Mar 2:8; Mar 3:29; Mar 3:30; Mar 5:2; Mar 5:8; Mar 7:25; Mar 8:12; Mar 9:17; Mar 9:20; Mar 9:25; Mar 12:36; Mar 13:11; Mar 14:38; Luk 1:15; Luk 1:17; Luk 1:35; Luk 1:41; Luk 1:47; Luk 1:67; Luk 1:80; Luk 2:25; Luk 2:26; Luk 2:27; Luk 3:16; Luk 3:22; Luk 4:1; Luk 4:14; Luk 4:18; Luk 4:33; Luk 8:29; Luk 8:55; Luk 9:39; Luk 9:42; Luk 10:21; Luk 11:13; Luk 11:24; Luk 12:10; Luk 12:12; Luk 13:11; Luk 23:46; Luk 24:37; Luk 24:39; Joh 1:32; Joh 1:33; Joh 3:5; Joh 3:6; Joh 3:8; Joh 3:34; Joh 4:23; Joh 4:24; Joh 6:63; Joh 7:39; Joh 11:33; Joh 13:21; Joh 14:17; Joh 14:26; Joh 15:26; Joh 16:13; Joh 19:30; Joh 20:22; Act 1:2; Act 1:5; Act 1:8; Act 1:16; Act 2:4; Act 2:17; Act 2:18; Act 2:33; Act 2:38; Act 4:8; Act 4:25; Act 4:31; Act 5:3; Act 5:9; Act 5:32; Act 6:3; Act 6:5; Act 6:10; Act 7:51; Act 7:55; Act 7:59; Act 8:15; Act 8:17; Act 8:18; Act 8:19; Act 8:29; Act 8:39; Act 9:17; Act 9:31; Act 10:19; Act 10:38; Act 10:44; Act 10:45; Act 10:47; Act 11:12; Act 11:15; Act 11:16; Act 11:24; Act 11:28; Act 13:2; Act 13:4; Act 13:9; Act 13:52; Act 15:8; Act 15:28; Act 16:6; Act 16:7; Act 16:16; Act 16:18; Act 17:16; Act 18:25; Act 19:2; Act 19:6; Act 19:15; Act 19:16; Act 19:21; Act 20:22; Act 20:23; Act 20:28; Act 21:4; Act 21:11; Act 23:8; Act 23:9; Act 28:25; Rom 1:4; Rom 1:9; Rom 2:29; Rom 5:5; Rom 7:6; Rom 8:2; Rom 8:4; Rom 8:5; Rom 8:6; Rom 8:9; Rom 8:10; Rom 8:11; Rom 8:13; Rom 8:14; Rom 8:15; Rom 8:16; Rom 8:23; Rom 8:26; Rom 8:27; Rom 9:1; Rom 11:8; Rom 12:11; Rom 14:17; Rom 15:13; Rom 15:16; Rom 15:19; Rom 15:30; 1Co 2:4; 1Co 2:10; 1Co 2:11; 1Co 2:12; 1Co 2:13; 1Co 2:14; 1Co 3:16; 1Co 4:21; 1Co 5:3; 1Co 5:4; 1Co 5:5; 1Co 6:11; 1Co 6:17; 1Co 6:19; 1Co 7:34; 1Co 7:40; 1Co 12:3; 1Co 12:4; 1Co 12:7; 1Co 12:8; 1Co 12:9; 1Co 12:11; 1Co 12:13; 1Co 14:2; 1Co 14:12; 1Co 14:14; 1Co 14:15; 1Co 14:16; 1Co 15:45; 1Co 16:18; 2Co 1:22; 2Co 2:13; 2Co 3:3; 2Co 3:6; 2Co 3:8; 2Co 3:17; 2Co 3:18; 2Co 4:13; 2Co 5:5; 2Co 6:6; 2Co 7:1; 2Co 7:13; 2Co 11:4; 2Co 12:18; 2Co 13:14; Gal 3:2; Gal 3:3; Gal 3:5; Gal 3:14; Gal 4:6; Gal 4:29; Gal 5:5; Gal 5:16; Gal 5:17; Gal 5:18; Gal 5:22; Gal 5:25; Gal 6:1; Gal 6:8; Gal 6:18; Eph 1:13; Eph 1:17; Eph 2:2; Eph 2:18; Eph 2:22; Eph 3:5; Eph 3:16; Eph 4:3; Eph 4:4; Eph 4:23; Eph 4:30; Eph 5:18; Eph 6:17; Eph 6:18; Php 1:19; Php 1:27; Php 2:1; Php 3:3; Php 4:23; Col 1:8; Col 2:5; 1Th 1:5; 1Th 1:6; 1Th 4:8; 1Th 5:19; 1Th 5:23; 2Th 2:2; 2Th 2:13; 1Ti 3:16; 1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 1:7; 2Ti 1:14; 2Ti 4:22; Tit 3:5; Phm 1:25; Heb 2:4; Heb 3:7; Heb 4:12; Heb 6:4; Heb 9:8; Heb 9:14; Heb 10:15; Heb 10:29; Jas 2:26; Jas 4:5; 1Pe 1:2; 1Pe 1:11; 1Pe 1:12; 1Pe 3:4; 1Pe 3:18; 1Pe 4:6; 1Pe 4:14; 2Pe 1:21; 1Jn 3:24; 1Jn 4:1; 1Jn 4:2; 1Jn 4:3; 1Jn 4:6; 1Jn 4:13; 1Jn 5:6; 1Jn 5:8; Jud 1:19; Jud 1:20; Rev 1:10; Rev 2:7; Rev 2:11; Rev 2:17; Rev 2:29; Rev 3:6; Rev 3:13; Rev 3:22; Rev 4:2; Rev 14:13; Rev 17:3; Rev 18:2; Rev 19:10; Rev 21:10; Rev 22:17.
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
- Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology: Holy Spirit
- American Tract Society: Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Holy Spirit
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Holy Ghost
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Holy Spirit, The
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Holy Spirit
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Holy Spirit
- Morrish Bible Dictionary: Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Holy Spirit
- McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia: Holy Spirit
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia
- The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia: Holy Spirit
Articles
- Sermon by John MacArthur – “The Perfect Model of a Spirit-Empowered Life”
- Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit by Greg Herrick
- Survey of Bible Doctrine: The Holy Spirit by Sid Litke
- Bible.org – How did the Holy Spirit operate in the lives of OT saints?
- Bible.org – How is the ministry of the Holy Spirit different in the Old and New Testaments?
- The Holy Spirit in the Gospels by Bob Deffinbaugh
- Putting Pentecost in Perspective (Part 1) The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (Acts 2:1-13) by Bob Deffinbaugh
- Putting Pentecost in Perspective (Part 2) The Holy Spirit in the Gospels (Acts 2:1-13) by Bob Deffinbaugh
- The Holy Spirit and Hermeneutics by Daniel Wallace
- The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts by John Walvoord
- Series: The Person of the Holy Spirit by John Walvoord
- The Holy Spirit in the Hebrew Bible and Its Connections to the New Testament by Richard Averbeck
Gotquestions.org
- Who / what is the Holy Spirit?
- Is the Holy Spirit God?
- Is the Holy Spirit a person?
- What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
- What is Pneumatology?
- When / How do we receive the Holy Spirit?
- What does the Holy Spirit do?
- Are the miraculous gifts of the Spirit for today?
- What is the gift of speaking in tongues? Is it for today?
- How do I identify my spiritual gift?
- How does God distribute spiritual gifts? Will God give me the gift I ask for?
- What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?
- Is being slain in the Spirit biblical?
- What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
- What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today?
- How can I be filled with the Spirit?
- What is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift?
- What does it mean to grieve / quench the Holy Spirit?
- Is speaking in tongues evidence for having the Holy Spirit?
- What is the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
- Is a believer supposed to be able to feel the Holy Spirit?
- What is praying in the Spirit?
- Will the Holy Spirit ever leave a believer?
- What is the filioque clause / filioque controversy?
- Is cessationism biblical?
- What is continuationism? What is a continuationist?
- What is the difference between the Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost?
- What does it mean that the Holy Spirit is our Paraclete?
- What is the Latter Rain Movement?
- What is praying in tongues? Is praying in tongues a prayer language between a believer and God?
- Is the Holy Spirit a “He,” “She,” or “It,” male, female, or neuter?
- Why is the dove often used as a symbol for the Holy Spirit?
- What are the names and titles of the Holy Spirit?
- What was the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?
- Spiritual gifts survey – what are the different spiritual gifts the Bible mentions?
- How is the Holy Spirit like a fire?
- Is there a biblical spiritual gifts list?
- What is the Charismatic movement?
- Is there any value to a spiritual gifts test/inventory/assessment?
- Should we worship the Holy Spirit?
- What is glossolalia?
- What is the seal of the Holy Spirit?
- What are the spiritual gifts of the “word of wisdom” and the “word of knowledge”?
- What was the purpose of the biblical sign gifts?
- What is the spiritual gift of helps?
- What is the spiritual gift of teaching?
- What is the gift of encouragement?
- What is the spiritual gift of interpreting tongues?
- What is the spiritual gift of leadership?
- What is the spiritual gift of administration?
- What is the spiritual gift of mercy?
- What is the spiritual gift of faith?
- What is the spiritual gift of healing?
- What is the spiritual gift of prophecy?
- What is the spiritual gift of discerning spirits?
- What is the spiritual gift of miracles?
- How can I recognize the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
- What is the power of the Holy Spirit?
- Did Jesus speak in tongues?
- Will the Holy Spirit be present during the tribulation?
- What is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
- What is the meaning of the Hebrew word ruach?
- What is the difference between the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit and God’s omnipresence?
- What is the eternal procession of the Holy Spirit?
- What was the Pneumatomachian heresy / Macedonianism?
- What is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
- What are some of the symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Bible?
- Where is the Holy Spirit?
- Can you lose the Holy Spirit?
- How do you know if you have the Holy Spirit?
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