A Biblical Theology of the Holy Spirit

Did you grow up in a tradition that placed little emphasis on the Holy Spirit's role? In my experience, the Holy Spirit was the most mysterious member of the Trinity, the member no one really talked about. In some traditions—at least the one I grew up in—I don’t think it is an overstatement to say that the Holy Spirit is the least discussed and least understood member of the Godhead.

The church has always affirmed the full divinity of the Holy Spirit as a member of the Triune God. This doctrine is clearly affirmed in the New Testament and later articulated in the church councils. The Council of Nicaea, for example, adopted the following confession in 325 AD as a rule of faith (standard) for the church:

“And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets” (48).

In this article, I will provide a sweeping overview of a biblical theology of the Holy Spirit. To structure this biblical theology, I will unpack the Spirit’s work in creation, revelation, anointing, sanctification, and indwelling. The purpose of this article is to provide a framework to inspire further study and reflection.

Creation

The Bible mentions the Holy Spirit from the very beginning. Before God gave form to the cosmos, the “Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Gen 1:2). In other words, the Spirit is present at creation. Jeremy Kimble and Ched Spellman note that “The Spirit is God’s source of all life for his creation, giving life to all that lives and breathes.” Job says, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4). Job is alluding to the moment God formed Adam “of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Gen 2:7). Although the Bible does not detail the Spirit’s role in creation, he is clearly present just as the Father and Son are involved in creation. The Spirit is also involved in the new creation. Ezekiel looks forward to the day when the Spirit will raise the dead to life (Ezek 37:14).  Jesus’ resurrection, the moment that launched the new creation, comes about by the Spirit (Rom 1:4; 8:11). Likewise, when Jesus encountered the disciples on the evening of his resurrection, “he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22). It is the Holy Spirit who brings about new creation life in the disciples. Earlier in the Gospel of John, Jesus says that it is the Spirit who “gives life” (John 6:63). This means that living out a new life in Christ requires dependence upon the Spirit.

Revelation

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Spirit of God speaks through human agents to communicate to God’s people (2 Peter 1:21). In the wilderness, when seventy elders are selected to provide administrative aid alongside Moses, the Lord places “some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied” (Num 11:25). During the time of the monarchy, the Spirit of God comes upon the “messengers of Saul” and they prophecy (1 Sam 19:20, 23). God’s Spirit speaks through David as he utters his final words (2 Sam 23:2).

In the New Testament, Jesus promises he would send the Spirit, and that “he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). Just as Jesus is the disciples’ teacher, the Spirit functions in the same way. He communicates—reveals—God’s Word to God’s people, and in doing so, glorifies Jesus. The Spirit will never communicate something contrary to what Jesus has said.

On the day of Pentecost, when the believers are gathered together, the Spirit enables them to speak in the languages of the people, fulfilling the prophet Joel (Acts 2:1-4, 17-18; Joel 2:28-29). This indicates that the Spirit enables us to understand the words and wisdom of God (1 Cor 2:10-14).

Anointing

Another aspect of the Spirit’s work in the Old and New Testament is his role in anointing. In the Old Testament, he anoints judges and kings, empowering them to perform a certain task or function. We find this kind of anointing throughout the historical books. The Spirit comes upon judges to empower them to rule over the people of Israel (Judges 3:10; 6:23; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6). He “rushed upon David” at his anointing (1 Sam. 16:13). The prophet Isaiah looks forward to a Servant figure, anointed and empowered by God’s Spirit, who will bring restoration to the people of Israel.

In the New Testament, the Spirit anoints Jesus at his baptism to fulfill the expectation of Isaiah (Matt 3:16; see also Luke 4:18). This anointing precedes Jesus’ formal ministry throughout Galilee and subsequent travels to Judah. The Spirit also anoints God’s people. Paul refers to this kind of anointing to the Corinthian church (2 Cor 1:21). Through this anointing, he empowers people to live as his people.

Sanctification

Fourth, the Spirit sanctifies. Gerald Bray says it this way, “The Holy Spirit applies Christ’s salvation, promised in the Old Testament and achieved by him on the cross, to the lives of those who have trusted in him as their Savior.”

How does he apply the salvation that Jesus accomplished on the cross? First, the Spirit brings conviction of sin (John 16:9). Apart from the Spirit’s leading, we would not have the kind of conviction that leads to repentance. The Spirit also brings God’s people to life (John 3:5-6; 6:63; 2 Cor 3:6; Rom 8:10-11). Paul, in his letter to Titus, puts it like this: “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…” (Titus 3:5). Apart from the new life of the Spirit, we could not inherit the kingdom of God; we could not live in the new creation (1 Cor. 15:50). Finally, the Holy Spirit “seals” God’s people (Eph 1:13-14). He secures God’s people until Christ’s coming.

Indwelling

Finally, the Spirit indwells—fills—God’s people. Just as the glory of the Lord fills Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:10-11), the Holy Spirit fills God’s new covenant people (1 Cor 3:16; Rom 8:9-11). Because of this filling, the Spirit empowers and guides. He empowers God’s people by forming God’s people into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:17-18). Practically, this looks like producing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) and instilling unity and love in the church (Eph 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2). The Spirit also empowers God’s people with a variety of gifts to equip and build up the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:4-5; Rom 12:3-8).

Although by no means is this an exhaustive list of the Spirit’s activity, thinking about the Spirit’s work in creation, revelation, anointing, sanctification, and indwelling is a helpful way to ponder his multifaceted role. As you contemplate the Spirit’s work, may you be reminded of our awesome God who brings the dead to life and is powerfully present with us by his Spirit.

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Works Cited

[1] “Scripture quotations are from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

[2] Jeremy M. Kimble and Ched Spellman, Invitation to Biblical Theology: Exploring the Shape, Storyline, and Themes of Scripture, Invitation to Theological Studies Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2020), 382.

[3] Gerald Bray, “The Spirit’s Application of Salvation” in Lexham Survey of Theology, edited by Mark Ward, Jessica Parks, Brannon Ellis, and Todd Hains (Bellingcontemplateham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018), “sanctifying.”