Skip to main content
    In Context

    What Does the Bible Say About the Holy Spirit — In Biblical Context

    The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity — God Himself dwelling in believers to guide, empower, convict, and transform.

    Quick Answer

    The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity — God Himself dwelling in believers to guide, empower, convict, and transform.

    "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." John 14:16 (KJV)

    The Biblical Context

    The Holy Spirit appears from Genesis 1:2, where He 'moved upon the face of the waters,' to Revelation 22:17, where 'the Spirit and the bride say, Come.' Jesus promised the Spirit as the Comforter: 'I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever' (John 14:16). The Spirit convicts of sin (John 16:8), guides into truth (John 16:13), empowers for witness (Acts 1:8), produces spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), distributes gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), intercedes in prayer (Romans 8:26), and seals believers for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). He is a person — He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), lied to (Acts 5:3), and resisted (Acts 7:51). The indwelling Spirit is the believer's guarantee of eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, John 14:16, sits inside John 14. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever."
    John 14:16 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    Acts 1:8
    "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me."
    Galatians 5:22-23
    "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

    Explore this question from another angle

    Related Reading

    Continue your study with related content from across our library: