Introduction
There are many interpretations, views and perspectives about the Holy Spirit and His role in the lives of Christian believers today.
At one end of the spectrum are those people whose Christian worldview is that God only speaks to believers through Scripture and that the Holy Spirit only works in that context. Their life of witness and service is wholly based upon God’s Word as they read it, seek to understand and accept its truth, and then to apply it as best they can. On the face of it there would seem to be little opportunity for error, but it also risks the charge that they are putting God ‘in a box’ — as if that were even possible!
For others, the Holy Spirit is a ‘still small voice’ that gives ‘true believers’ frequent prompts and guidance — separately from scripture. For those who support this perspective there is a very real risk that they fail to discern whether it really is God who is speaking to them. Ideas that are separate from scripture could be consistent with it. Alternatively, they could be the result of our own imaginations or, even worse, from the spiritual realm that is opposed to God.
Some look to what others say they have received from God when those people speak in His name (for example — some self-styled modern day prophets or apostles, or even our pastors or small group leaders). But this begs the question: are we as listeners then acting like the Berean Christians to check whether what is being said is true (Acts 17:11)? In particular, are we looking at the compatibility of the message with the commands of scripture for followers of Christ? If not, then we might be putting our trust in words, dreams, interpretations, or prophecies that may not have their origins in the Lord.
But what does the New Testament really tell us about the Holy Spirit’s roles in New Testament times through to today and beyond?
The giving of the Holy Spirit, by God, is primarily for the Spirit to witness to Jesus (as we read the Truth - in scripture) empowering us to live victorious lives separate from, but living in, the world with all its temptations.
If, as Christians, we are not living in a way that is distinctive or different from those around us — in terms of our attitudes, actions, and behaviours — then we really need to question what our walk of witness really is.
Read on and we’ll find out more….
New Testament references to Spirit / spirit
If we look in the New Testament we can find the Greek word pneuma (meaning wind, breath, spirit) appears some 383 times. Often this word pneuma is linked with the Greek word hagios (meaning set apart for God, holy, sacred — appearing 235 times in the New Testament) which, when together, give us references to the Holy Spirit.
In many translations when the term Spirit (meaning the third person of the Trinity), or Holy Spirit, are used they have leading capitals.
But the word pneuma is also used in the context of human life or breath. It can also refer to heavenly spirits (especially in regard to angels (Hebrews 1:14) and the seven spirits of God in Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 4:5 and 5:6). Lastly, it can mean unclean or evil (demonic) spirits — frequently in the context of them being driven out by Jesus or the Apostles. To distinguish the difference from references to the Holy Spirit, translations tend to use a lower case “s” when the word “spirit” is printed for these other occurrences of pneuma.
The Greek word pneumatikos (spiritual) appears 26 times in the New Testament and in some cases it refers explicitly to the Holy Spirit (capital S) rather than the more general term ‘spiritual’.
In addition, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to believers and calls Him the Advocate / Comforter / Helper / Paraclete (Greek word parakletos). This only appears four times in the gospel of John. It occurs once more in 1 John, but in that context is referring to Jesus as our advocate in heaven (1 John 2:1).
The roles of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament era
In this article we will ignore the occasions when the human spirit, heavenly, or unclean / evil spirits are referred to and look at references to the Spirit / Holy Spirit / Advocate grouped into six distinct themes. In each instance two or three Bible references [Note 1] are given, and then other bible references that fall into that theme are provided [In italicised brackets] for readers who want to consider these things in more detail.
Some of these themes may surprise you, others will seem intuitively right. Perhaps the absence of different themes you might expect could be more of a challenge? Maybe you would choose different ways to arrange the verses into different themes — but here we will look at one set.
1 The Holy Spirit interacted with Jesus during his life and ministry on earth
We can find a number of instances where there are explicit references to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. These surround the accounts of Jesus’ baptism, His temptation immediately afterwards, and Old and New Testament references to Jesus’ status and authority.
1.1 Jesus’ Baptism
Matthew 3:16 - As soon as Jesus was baptised, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.
Mark 1:10 - As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.
[See also: Luke 3:22 and John 1:32.]
1.2 Jesus’ and his temptation in the desert
Matthew 4:1 - Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Mark 1:12 - At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness,
[See also: Luke 4:1 and Luke 4:14.]
1.3 Jesus’ status and authority
Matthew 12:18 - “Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.”
Luke 4:18 - “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor.”
[See also: Acts 1:2, Acts 10:38, Romans 1:4, 1 Timothy 3:16, and 1 Peter 3:18.]
2 The Holy Spirit filled / interacted with some specific people in Old and early New Testament times
Prior to Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was only given to, or present with, a small number of individuals. These include some of the leaders of and prophets to Israel in Old Testament times. Some were people who had limited or extended interactions with Jesus prior to and during His ministry, and the Apostles and disciples who were tasked with sharing the gospel after Jesus’ ascension.
2.1 Old Testament Prophets
2 Peter 1:21 - For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2.2 King David
Matthew 22:43 - Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says:”
Acts 1:16 - and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.”
2.3 People involved in the accounts around Jesus’ birth
Zechariah
Luke 1:15 - for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
Luke 1:67 - Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
Mary the mother of Jesus
Luke 1:35 - The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Elizabeth - Mary’s relative
Luke 1:41 - When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Simeon
Luke 2:25 - Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Luke 2:26 - The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Luke 2:27 - Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.
2.4 The Apostles and early disciples
Peter
Acts 4:8 - Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!”
Acts 5:3 - Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?”
[See also: Acts 5:9, Acts 6:3, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12, and 1 Peter 1:12.]
Stephen
Acts 6:5 - This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
Acts 6:10 - But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
[See also: Acts 7:51 and Acts 7:55.]
Philip
Acts 8:29 - The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
Acts 8:39 - When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Ananias
Acts 9:17 - Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Agabus
Acts 11:28 - One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.)
Saul / Paul and Barnabus
Acts 13:2 - While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13:4 - So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
[See also: Acts 13:9, Acts 11:24, Acts 16:6, Acts 16:7, Acts 19:21, Acts 20:22, Acts 20:23, Acts 21:4, Acts 21:11, Acts 23:9, Acts 28:25, Romans 9:1, Romans 15:19, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 7:40, Philippians 1:19, Colossians 2:5, and 1 Thessalonians 1:5.]
John
1 John 4:6 - We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognise the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Revelation 1:10 - On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
[See also: Revelation 4:2, Revelation 14:13, Revelation 17:3, Revelation 19:10, and Revelation 21:10.]
Looking in a little more detail, we can see in the references above, there are (only) 14 instances in the New Testament where the Holy Spirit is recorded as clearly communicating with people. There are two prior to Pentecost (Luke 2:26 and Acts 28:25), and twelve after: Acts 6:10, Acts 8:29, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:28, Acts 13:2, Acts 16:6, Acts 16:7, Acts 20:22, Acts 21:4, Acts 21:11, Romans 9:1, Revelation 14:13 (and potentially 1 Peter 1:12).
3 We are told that Holy Spirit will testify to Jesus / the Truth (in the Bible)
Jesus made it clear what the principal roles for the Holy Spirit would be once he was given to believers. In addition, the writers of the New Testament further outlined what the Holy Spirit would do.
3.1 The Spirit would testify to Jesus
John 14:26 - But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 15:26 - “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.”
1 John 5:6 - This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
1 John 5:7 - For there are three that testify: (Note that there are concerns around the authenticity of the sources for certain translations for this verse as they refer to the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit (including the KJV). This is less of an issue for most modern translations).
[See also John 16:14 which does not have the word ‘Pneuma’ but follows on from John 16:13 and speaks of the Holy Spirit bringing glory to Jesus].
3.2 The Spirit would convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgement
John 16:8-11 - When he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
3.3 The Spirit would guide us into all truth
John 16:13 - But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come
1 John 5:8 — the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
[See also John 16:15 which also does not have the word ‘Pneuma’ but follows on from John 16:13 and speaks of the Holy Spirit revealing the things of Jesus].
3.4 The Spirit would bring teaching from God and from the Old Testament
1 Corinthians 2:13 - This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
Ephesians 3:5 — which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
Hebrews 10:15 - The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
[See also: Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 9:8, 1 Peter 1:11, Jude 1:19.]
3.5 The Spirit would prophesy about the future
1 Timothy 4:1(2) - The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Revelation 22:17 - The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
3.6 The Spirit would bring warnings and promises to church (then and now)
Revelation 2:7 - Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:11 - Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
[See also: Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, and Revelation 3:22.]
4 The Holy Spirit is given (through faith) to every believer who has repented and taken Jesus as their personal Saviour and Lord
At Pentecost and beyond, the Holy Spirit was given to all those who sincerely wanted to follow Jesus and become His disciples.
John 16:7 - But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
[See also: Matthew 3:11, Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, Luke 11:13, John 1:33, John 3:5, John 3:6, John 3:8, John 3:34, John 7:39, John 14:16, John 14:17, John 20:22, Acts 1:5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:33, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:17, Acts 2:18, Acts 4:31, Acts 5:32, Acts 8:15, Acts 8:17, Acts 8:18, Acts 8:19, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:45, Acts 10:47, Acts 11:15, Acts 11:16, Acts 13:52, Acts 15:8, Acts 19:2, Acts 19:6, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:2, Galatians 3:14, Ephesians 5:18, Philippians 2:1, Colossians 1:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:8, 2 Timothy 1:14, Hebrews 6:4, 1 Peter 4:14, and 1 John 4:13].
In receiving the Holy Spirit as believers we can determine that there are seven roles that the Spirit can then fulfil within us:
4.1 The Holy Spirit sanctifies us / enable righteous living
Part of the role of the Holy Spirit is to set us apart for God’s service by sanctifying us (cleansing our sins) and giving us a heart that wants to live righteously (without sin) as far as we allow Him to influence us.
Romans 15:16 - to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:11 - And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
[See also: 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 6:6, Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 12:23, and 1 Peter 1:2].
4.2 The Holy Spirit sets us free / give life
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit represents our spiritual birth, awakening us to the things of God (that we can find through reading scripture — the Truth). Through this, we are given spiritual life in Christ and set free from the law of sin and death.
John 6:63 - The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
Romans 8:2 — because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death
[See also: Romans 8:1, Romans 8:10, Romans 8:11, Romans 14:17, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Ephesians 4:23, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, and 1 John 3:24.]
4.3 The Holy Spirit is our promise of eternal life
Paul instructs us that, once we have received the Holy Spirit by faith, He represents our seal / deposit for our ultimate redemption / a promise for our future in eternity with the Father.
2 Corinthians 1:22 - set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 5:5 - Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
[See also: Ephesians 1:13 and Ephesians 4:30.]
4.4 The Holy Spirit empowers us for service
In Old Testament times, the people of Israel demonstrated that they were unable to keep the Law of Moses (God’s Law). In providing the Holy Spirit, God gives us the inner potential to live as he intended us to, providing gifts through the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit determines, for ministry and service to others.
Acts 20:28 - Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
1 Corinthians 12:4 - There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
[See also: Acts 9:31, Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 12:1, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:11, 1 Corinthians 14:1 1, Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 14:12, 1 Corinthians 14:16, 1 Corinthians 14:37, 2 Corinthians 3:8, Galatians 3:5, Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 3:16, Colossians 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 2:4, and 1 John 4:2.]
4.5 The Holy Spirit assists us to worship
Jesus explains what the Father seeks from those who worship Him. And in providing His Holy Spirit to Jesus' disciples, he enables us as followers to fulfil this prophecy.
John 4:23 - Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
John 4:24 - “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Philippians 3:3 — for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, [New American Standard Bible].
4.6 The Holy Spirit assists us in prayer
Paul encourages us to pray frequently, teaching us that the Spirit can help us — even when we cannot think of the words to use.
Romans 8:26 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
[See also: Romans 8:27, Romans 15:30 1 Corinthians 14:14 Galatians 4:6 Ephesians 2:18, and Jude 1:20.]
4.7 The Holy Spirit will speak through us in time of testing
Jesus highlights that some will face the authorities for their love and witness to Him and, in those circumstances, the Holy Spirit will speak through us if we have to testify.
Matthew 10:20 - For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Mark 13:11 - But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Luke 12:12 - “for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
5 We are to walk / live by the Spirit (not the flesh)
We are encouraged to deny our earthly desires in favour of living to praise and serve God through applying the scriptures to our daily walk of witness.
Romans 2:29 - No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Romans 8:4 — in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 - So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
[See also: Acts 15:28, Romans 5:5, Romans 8:5, Romans 8:6, Romans 8:9, Romans 8:13, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:16, Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Corinthians 2:15, 1 Corinthians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 12:18, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Galatians 3:3, Galatians 4:29, Galatians 5:17, Galatians 5:18, Galatians 5:25, Galatians 6:1, Galatians 6:8, Ephesians 2:22, Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:4, Ephesians 5:19, Ephesians 6:17, Colossians 3:16, Philippians 1:27, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, and 1 Peter 2:5.]
6 We are warned not blaspheme against the Holy Spirit
As followers of Jesus we are clearly warned that we should not attribute the work of the Spirit to anything done by the enemy.
Matthew 12:31 - Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Matthew 12:32 - Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.
[See also: Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10, Acts 4:25, Hebrews 10:29.]
Conclusions
Together we have looked at one way we can group the various verses that refer to the Spirit / Holy Spirit / Advocate within six main themes. Under the fourth of these (concerning the giving of the Holy Spirit to all penitent believers) we have also reviewed seven sub-themes that we can see are applicable to us today — explaining how the Holy Spirit can work in a believer’s life.
In all cases, the Spirit at work will never contradict things that scripture prohibits, and will always work in ways that reinforce the positive encouragements and directions of scripture for believers. He will challenge us about our internal, personal issues (especially sin), strengthen us for service to others, and help us express our love and worship for God and Jesus.
Maybe the groupings outlined here are different from your understanding and experience during your Christian walk? If so, perhaps you need to look into the biblical basis for the views you have?
It is all too easy to take verses and try and draw something from them that does not sit well with the original context. Maybe as a reader you think that this has been done in some cases in this article? Certainly, this has not been the intention, and the number of example scriptures in each theme hopefully demonstrate that, taken together, there are some strong arguments for the headings we have considered (or something like them).
Many of us actively seek to hear from God, some through reading the scriptures and others through different means. It may well be that God does want to communicate with us from time to time but, like the Old Testament prophets, or Paul, or John in Revelation, we should never be in doubt when God is speaking to us separately from his word. If we look to Romans 12:2 we are given an insight into how we can better discern God’s will (and if we read the whole of that Chapter we can see a pattern for life that we should try to follow). As we allow the Holy Spirit to renew and transform our minds, and hence as we become more like Jesus, our discernment skills should increase to the point where we can truly say that we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 - and the broader passage from verses 6 to 16). Similarly, look at James 1:5-7 if we are being challenged and need wisdom on an issue, as it demonstrates that God will give generously if we have faith and do not doubt.
In any event, I trust that all this has stirred your curiosity to look further, and that you will be blessed in some way by investing your time here.
Notes:
[1] Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM.
Please note that when looking at any Bible verse references, you should ideally consider more than one translation / respected version of the Bible to get a more rounded view, and also look at the wider context for each verse too.