Reference: Holy Spirit, The
Fausets
In the New Testament used in the KJV In the Old Testament "the Holy Spirit" (Ps 51:11; Isa 63:10-11). The Hebrew ruwach, and Greek pneuma, is the same for both "Spirit" and "Spirit." His personality is proved by attributes and acts being attributed to Him peculiarly. Ge 1:2, "the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" at creation, as distinct from the Word's operation (Ge 1:3). He "strove with man" before the flood (Ge 6:3). He "came upon" Saul (1Sa 10:10) and "upon David," and then "the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul" (1Sa 16:13-14). David prays "take not Thy Holy Spirit from me" (Ps 51:11). Israel "vexed God's Holy Spirit," though He had "put His Holy Spirit within" Moses, Israel's leader, and "the Spirit of Jehovah" had "caused Israel to rest" in the promised land after his wilderness wanderings (Isa 63:11-12,14).
He is invoked in prayer to revive Israel long dead spiritually and politically (Eze 37:9): "Come, O Life breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." Song 4:16, the Heavenly Bridegroom calls for (Joh 14:16) the Holy Spirit first as the" N. wind" to "awake," i.e. arise strongly as a Reprover (Joh 16:8-11), then like the S. wind to "come" gently as the Comforter (Joh 14:16). He first clears away the mists of gloom, error, unbelief, and sin, which intercept the light of the Sun of righteousness; then He infuses spiritual warmth, causing the "spices" (i.e. graces) to "flow out" (2Co 4:6). The coming renewal or "regeneration" of the earth shall be through God's "sending forth His creating Spirit" (Ps 104:30; Isa 32:15). The restorations after the flood, and on a smaller scale every spring after winter's deadness, are an earnest of it (Mt 19:28; Re 21:5).
At the opening of New Testament it is written respecting our Lord's body "that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 1:20); and to Mary herself the angel said, "the Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee" (Lu 1:35). His personal agency is marked by His "descending in a bodily shape like a dove" upon Christ at His baptism (Lu 3:22; Joh 1:32-33). His office is distinguished from that of Christ, and yet identified with it: "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you ANOTHER Comforter ... the Spirit of truth .... I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you." The Father "sends the Holy Spirit the Comforter in Christ's name," (i.e. representing Christ: Christ absent in the flesh, that He may be more than ever present in Spirit): Joh 14:16-18,26. The Father gives, promises, and sends Him, but is not sent.
The Son must go that He may come (Joh 16:7-14), so that "it is expedient" for the church that Christ should go away, in order that Christ's finished work may be applied to the soul by the Holy Spirit (Joh 7:39). "He shall receive ... take of Mine, and show it unto you." The Son "sends" forth "the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father" (Joh 15:26). The Constantinopolitan Council (A.D. 381) therefore added to the Nicene Creed "who proceedeth from the Father." The western churches added "and from the Son," which Scripture sanctions, though originally inserted by Reccared, king of a portion of Spain, A.D. 589, at the third council of Toledo; opposed by Leo III., bishop of Rome; accepted by Pope Nicholas I.; but always rejected by the eastern churches. His Godhead, distinct personality, and oneness with the Father and the Son, are implied in the baptismal formula enjoined by Christ (Mt 28:19).
As Christ intercedes for us in heaven, so the Holy Spirit intercedes in us on earth, "for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Ro 8:26); thus He "helpeth our infirmities," and is the Paraclete in both senses, as Intercessor and Comforter. He calls and qualifies ministers for their work. Ac 13:1-2, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." He makes them "overseers over the flock" (Ac 20:28). He "hears," "speaks," "teaches," "guides into all truth," "glorifies Christ," "receives of Christ's things," namely, from the Father and Son, "and shows them," "brings all Christ's words to His people's remembrance," "shows things to come," "knoweth the things of God," "searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God," and "reveals them" to the Spirit taught (1Co 2:9-15); therefore is divine.
Ananias' "lying" to Him is called "lying unto God" (Ac 5:3-4,9), and "tempting (putting to the proof) the Spirit of the Lord." "Where He is, there is liberty" (2Co 3:17). The writers of Holy Scripture "spoke as they were moved by the Holy, Spirit," "not by the will of man" (2Pe 1:21). "The Spirit of Jehovah spoke by David" (2Sa 23:2), and "God testified against Israel by His Spirit in His prophets," and "gave His good Spirit to instruct them" (Ne 9:30,20). The sin against Him is unpardonable, whereas sin against the Son is pardonable; because the former is against Him who alone can make the Son's work effectual to each soul (Mt 12:31-32). "Except a man be born of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (Joh 3:5). "God sends," in the case of His sons by adoption, "the Spirit of His Son into their hearts crying, Abba, Father" (Ga 4:6; Ro 8:15,17).
They are "led by the Spirit of God" who "beareth witness with their spirit, that they are the children of God." "After they have believed, they are sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the (final) redemption of the purchased possession" (Eph 1:13-14; also 2Co 1:21-22). The sanctification of believers is His especial work (2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2). We are warned not to "grieve" or "quench" Him (Eph 4:30; 1Th 5:19). Between Christ's ascension and return continues the dispensation of the Spirit; the true church is now "the temple of the Holy Spirit," in which believers are "living stones" "builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22); "living in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit" (Ga 5:25); "by one Spirit baptized into one body ... and made to drink into one Spirit," for "no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit" (1Co 12:3,13; 6:19; 3:16-17; 2Co 3:8; Ac 19:1-5).
All the various spiritual gifts and graces "that one and the selfsame Spirit worketh, dividing to every man severally as He will" (1Co 12:11; Ga 5:22). In Old Testament the law was in the foreground, the Holy Spirit less prominent; in New Testament the Holy Spirit is prominent, the law in the background. Jesus was anointed with the Spirit without measure; we receive a measure out "of His fullness" (Joh 1:16; 3:34). Jesus by His unction became Messiah or Christ (Isa 61:1). We receive a share of this "unction," whereby "we know all things" needful for salvation (1Jo 2:20).
The full outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Israel and on the nations is yet future (Isa 44:3; 36:22; Zec 12:10; Joe 2:28), of which the earnest was given on Pentecost (Ac 2:16,21); the law of God, which is love, being written on the heart, instead of on stone as the Decalogue (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:8,12; 10:16-17; 2Co 3:3). The triune benediction puts the Holy Spirit on a level with the Father and the Son, one God. So Re 1:4-5, where "the Seven Spirits before God's throne," coming between God "who is, was, and is to come," and Jesus Christ, can only mean the ONE sevenfold divine Spirit (Isa 11:2-3).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But while he was thinking about the matter, [suddenly] an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream [i.e., a supernatural revelation given during sleep], saying, "Joseph, you descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife, for the baby she is carrying is by [the power of] the Holy Spirit.
Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven of every sin and abusive word spoken [against God]. But abusive words spoken against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks an [abusive] word against the Son of man will be forgiven [of it], but whoever speaks [an abusive word] against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven [of it], not in this world nor the one to come.
Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, [since] you have become my followers, in the time of new beginnings [i.e., the church age], when the Son of man sits on His glorious throne, you apostles will also sit on twelve thrones, judging [i.e., through their writings] the twelve tribes of Israel [i.e., God's people].
So, as you go, make disciples out of people from all the nations, then immerse believers [See Mark 16:15-16] into the name of [i.e., to enter a relationship with] the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest [i.e., God] will overshadow you. Therefore, the child you carry will be called the holy Son of God.
and the Holy Spirit came down on Him in a physical form, as a dove, and a voice spoke out of heaven [saying], "You are my dearly loved Son. I am very pleased with you."
For we have all received from His full richness one favor after another.
So, John gave his testimony, saying, "I have seen the Holy Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and it remained on Him. And I did not recognize Him, but He [i.e., God], who sent me to immerse in water, said to me, 'The one on whom you see the Holy Spirit descending and remaining is the same One who [will] immerse people in the Holy Spirit.'
Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit.
For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse].
Now He said this about the Holy Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive [See Acts 2:38]. For [at that time] the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet received splendor [in heaven].
"And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper [i.e., besides me], who will be with you forever.
"And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper [i.e., besides me], who will be with you forever.
"And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper [i.e., besides me], who will be with you forever. He is the Holy Spirit of truth [i.e., who reveals truth], whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him or know Him. [But] you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be within you. read more. I will not abandon you [Note: The Greek says, "leave you orphans"]; I will come [back] to you.
But the Helper, that is, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name [i.e., by my authority] will teach you everything. And He will remind you of everything that I [have] said to you.
"But the Helper will come, that is, the Holy Spirit of truth [i.e., who reveals truth]. He comes from the Father and I will send Him to you from the Father. [When He comes] He will give testimony about me.
Yet I am telling you the truth: It will be helpful to you for me to go away. For unless I go, the Helper [i.e., the Holy Spirit] will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He does come, He will bring conviction to the world regarding sin [i.e., exposing it and producing guilt], regarding what is right [i.e., upholding godly standards], and regarding judgment [i.e., showing that sin condemns].
And when He does come, He will bring conviction to the world regarding sin [i.e., exposing it and producing guilt], regarding what is right [i.e., upholding godly standards], and regarding judgment [i.e., showing that sin condemns]. [The world will be proven guilty] of sin for not believing in me.
[The world will be proven guilty] of sin for not believing in me. [It will be shown] what is right because I am going [back] to the Father and you will not see me anymore.
[It will be shown] what is right because I am going [back] to the Father and you will not see me anymore. [And it will be shown] judgment, because the ruler of this world [i.e., Satan. See 12:31] has been condemned [i.e., by Jesus' death and resurrection].
[And it will be shown] judgment, because the ruler of this world [i.e., Satan. See 12:31] has been condemned [i.e., by Jesus' death and resurrection]. "I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them at present. read more. However, when the Holy Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you [apostles] into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but will speak [only] what He hears [from the Father]. And He will tell you about the things that are to come. He will honor me, for He will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you.
But what you see happening is simply [the fulfillment of] what was predicted by the prophet Joel [2:28ff],
And the time will come when every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' [i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ].
But Peter said to Ananias, "Why has Satan filled your heart [causing you] to deceive the Holy Spirit by keeping back part of the selling price of the land [while representing it as the full price]? While you owned it, was it not yours? Then after you sold it, did you not [still] have control over [what you did with] the money? Why did you decide in your heart to do such a thing? You [really] have not lied to men, but to God [about this matter]."
Then Peter said to her, "Why did you agree together [with your husband] to put the Holy Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the ones who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out [to bury you, too]."
Now in the church at Antioch there were [these] prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon, called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch [i.e., governor of Galilee], and Saul. As these men were ministering to the Lord [i.e., this probably means worshiping] and fasting, the Holy Spirit said [to one of them by way of inspiration]: "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me, [commissioning them] to do the work for which I have called them."
Then, while Apollos was [still] at Corinth, Paul traveled through the [western] districts and came to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He asked them, "Did [any of] you receive the [indwelling] Holy Spirit when you became believers [in Jesus]?" They answered him, "No, we have never [even] heard that there was a Holy Spirit." read more. Paul [again] asked, "Into what were you immersed then?" They answered him, "Into John's immersion."
million dollars in 1994]. Paul [then] said, "John immersed people who [demonstrated their] repentance, telling them they must believe in Jesus, the One who would come after him." read more. When they heard this they were immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus.
So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood.
For you did not receive the Holy Spirit, to enslave you again to fear, [Note: Some translators take "Holy Spirit" here to be "spirit," making the verse say "you did not receive the spirit of slavery"], but you received the Holy Spirit [who produces] sonship, so we can call out, "Abba", [which means] "Father."
And if we are [His] children, then we have an inheritance from God [i.e., blessings here and hereafter] and are fellow-sharers with Christ [of such blessings], providing we [are willing to] suffer with Him, so we can also be honored with Him [i.e., in the future life. See verses 18-25].
And in the same way, the Holy Spirit helps [us in] our weakness; for we do not know what we ought to pray for [Note: Some translators understand this as "how to pray"]. But the Holy Spirit goes to God on our behalf with groanings [in our hearts] that are not expressed [in words].
But as it is written [Isa. 64:4], "The things which no eye saw or ear heard, and which did not [even] enter the mind of men, is what God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed [to us] these things [i.e., His divine wisdom. See verses 7-8] through the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God. read more. For what person knows the thoughts of a man except that man's [own] spirit which is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except God's Holy Spirit. But we [apostles] did not receive the spirit of the world [i.e., human wisdom. See verse 6], but the Holy Spirit from God, so that we could understand what was freely given to us from God [i.e., the gift of inspiration. See verses 9-10]. These also are the things we [apostles] speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but [in words] taught by the Holy Spirit. We use [or, combine] Spirit-taught words to express [or, with] Spirit-given truth. Now the natural person [Note: Since this person is contrasted with the spiritual person of verse 15, it is taken here to mean the person without the Holy Spirit] does not receive the things [i.e., truths] revealed by the Holy Spirit of God, because they are [considered] foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them because they must be discerned by using spiritual judgment [i.e., judgment aided by the Holy Spirit]. But the spiritual person [i.e., one who has the Holy Spirit] is able to discern all things [i.e., has the ability to make right judgments about things], and he himself [i.e., his conduct] cannot be [critically] discerned by any [unbelieving] man.
Do you people not know that you are God's Temple [i.e., the church. See I Pet. 2:5; I Tim. 3:15], and that the Holy Spirit of God lives in you [i.e., collectively]? If any person destroys God's Temple, God will destroy him. For God's Temple is holy [i.e., set apart for His service], and you people are His [holy] Temple.
Or, do you not know that your [physical] body is a temple [i.e., sanctuary] for the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves,
Therefore, I am telling you that no one who speaks under the influence of the Holy Spirit of God says, "Jesus is cursed!" And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Now all of these [supernatural gifts] are the work of one and the same Holy Spirit, who distributes them to each person individually as He desires.
For we were all immersed by means of the one Holy Spirit into one body [i.e., the church], whether [we were] Jews or Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], whether slaves or free people, and were all given the one [and the same] Holy Spirit to drink. [Note: This probably refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, given to all immersed believers. See John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38].
Now God is the One who makes us stand firm with you in [fellowship with] Christ. He has anointed us [Note: "Anointed" here probably refers to selecting, appointing and commissioning people for some form of Christian service. See Luke 4:18]; He has placed His seal of ownership upon us by giving us the down payment of the Holy Spirit [to live] in our hearts.
Now the Lord [i.e., Christ] is the Holy Spirit, and there is freedom [from the bondage of sin and fear] wherever the Spirit of the Lord is.
For God, who said [Gen. 1:3], "Light will shine out of darkness," has [also] shone in our hearts to provide [us with] the light of the knowledge of God's splendor [as it shines] on the face of Christ. [Note: This allusion to "splendor shining on Christ's face" may be a continuation of the analogy used in 3:13].
And because you are [His] children, God sent the Holy Spirit of His Son into our hearts, to call out, "Abba," [which means] "Father."
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
If we live by the [guidance of the] Holy Spirit, we should also walk in [the ways of] the Holy Spirit.
You [Gentiles] also, who are in Christ, after having heard the message of truth, the good news about your salvation, and [after] believing in Him, were sealed [i.e., as evidence of ownership] with the promised Holy Spirit. [or, "the Holy Spirit who brings promises"]. He is a down payment of our inheritance, until God's own possession [i.e., His people] receives redemption. [Note: Here "redemption" refers to receiving a new body in heaven]. May this bring about praise to God's splendor.
In [harmony with] Him you people are also being constructed together into a place where God lives by His Spirit.
And do not grieve God's Holy Spirit by whom you were sealed [i.e., given evidence of God's ownership] until the day of redemption [i.e., until you receive your new body in heaven. See 1:14].
For you died [with Christ, See 2:20], and your life is [now] hidden with Christ in [fellowship with] God.
But now you also should stop practicing them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language from your mouth.
But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for "firstfruits" instead of "beginning" here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were "first"], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel].
For God found fault with the Israelites [or, possibly with the first Agreement], saying [Jer. 31:31ff], "Look, the Lord says, the time will come when I will make a New Agreement with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
For I will be merciful to their wickedness [i.e., by forgiving them] and I will not remember their sins anymore."
[Jer. 31:33f], "The Lord says, this is the Agreement I will make with them [i.e., with my people] after those days. I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds." Then He said, "And I will not remember their sins or their wickedness anymore."
For prophecy was never produced by the will of man, but people spoke from God, as they were carried along [i.e., inspired] by the Holy Spirit.
But, you people have a "special gift" from the Holy One [Note: The Greek word for "special gift" is "charisma" and probably refers to the Holy Spirit (See Acts 2:38); "Holy One" probably refers to Jesus, (See Acts 2:27; 3:14)], and all of you know [the truth].
[This book is from] John [and is being sent] to the seven churches that are in Asia [Note: This refers to the province of Asia Minor, a part of present-day Turkey]. May there be unearned favor and peace to you from God, the One who is [in the present], who was [in the past] and who will come [in the future], and from the seven spirits that are in front of God's throne [Note: Because the number "seven" was regarded as the number of perfection by the Jews, it is thought that this refers to the Holy Spirit]. [It is also] from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness [to the truth], the Firstborn from the dead [i.e., the first One raised never to die again], the Ruler of the kings of the world. May there be honor and power forever and ever to Christ, who loved us and released us from our sins by His blood [Note: Some manuscripts say "washed us" since the two words are spelled almost alike].
Then the One who is seated on the throne [i.e., Christ, or God] said, "Listen, I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write [this], because these words are trustworthy and true."