Who is the Holy Spirit?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit isn’t a “something”; He is Someone. He is God, one member of the Holy Trinity. This concept can be confusing. Can there be one God in three persons? Yes, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.​ Before we understand what He does, we need to understand WHO He is.

Let’s consider an analogy. Water is essential for wakeboarding. I absolutely love water, especially when it’s smooth, glassy, and around 85°F. It exists in three forms: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (water vapor), each form serving a unique purpose.

Liquid water is what we wakeboard on. Ice; definitely not my favorite for wakeboarding! Water vapor is often in the air, yet we don’t see it. Each form of water has distinct characteristics and functions.

When Jesus walked the earth, He couldn’t be everywhere. After His death, resurrection, and ascension, He gifted us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us always. This gift is profound and transformative. It means we are never alone in our faith journey.

The Holy Spirit was active from the beginning. Genesis 1:1-2 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” From the very beginning, the Holy Spirit was involved in creation.

The Holy Spirit is omnipresent; He is everywhere at once. Psalm 139:7 reminds us, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” This assurance is comforting, as it means that the Holy Spirit is with us in every situation.

Throughout Scripture, we see the Holy Spirit empowering individuals for specific tasks. He was with Moses as he led the Israelites toward the Promised Land (Numbers 11:16-17). He also inspired King David in 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.”

The Holy Spirit prophesied about Jesus long before He came to earth (Isaiah 11:1-2). Old Testament prophets were filled with the Holy Spirit, conveying God’s message and guiding His people. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Holy Spirit empowered Him to fulfill His mission (Luke 4:18): “

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” The Holy Spirit had an essential role in Jesus’ life and ministry.

A remarkable truth is that the Bible begins and ends with the Holy Spirit. Revelation 22:17 says, "the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!'" The Spirit’s role is evident throughout the entirety of Scripture. The Holy Spirit is also described as the Living Water. He is the only source that truly satisfies our thirst for fulfillment (John 7:37-39).

The Holy Spirit is a person and a vital presence in our lives, guiding, comforting, and empowering believers in Christ, ensuring we are never alone. The Holy Spirit isn’t just with believers, He is actively working in and through them! By understanding who the Holy Spirit is, we can appreciate the depth of God’s love and the transformative power of His presence.​

Beyond the Wake

• Do you have an awareness of how the Holy Spirit is working in your life?
• Have you ever had a unique experience with the Holy Spirit?