There is One Spirit

“The Bible teachings about the Holy Spirit and his works are among the most neglected phases and aspects of our teaching,” wrote H. Leo Boles in 1942.

I’m not sure we’ve drastically improved in that regard in the past 82 years. More recently gospel preacher Michael Hardin wrote, “The Holy Spirit is a subject about which there is much false teaching and popular misunderstanding.”

In our third post in a series from Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul not only affirms there is “one God,” “one Lord,” but there is “one Spirit.”

Who is the Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is not a glorified it. Or an influence. Or the Bible. And neither is He simply another way to speak of the mind of God or Christ. The Holy Spirit is a person. The Holy Spirit possesses the characteristics of personhood. The Bible speaks of the Spirit as having…

…a mind (Rom. 8:27).
…knowledge (1 Cor. 2:8-11).
…affection (Rom. 15:30).
…Volition (1 Cor. 12:11).

The Holy Spirit, however, is a Divine person. He possesses Godhood. Deity. Divinity. He was present at Jesus’ baptism (Matt. 3:16), is included as a part of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20), and is affirmed to be one with the Father and the Son (1 Jn. 5:7). Like Jehovah and Christ, the Holy Spirit is eternal (Heb. 9:14), possesses Divine knowledge (1 Cor. 2:9-11), and exercises power (Rom. 15:13).

How is the Holy Spirit Involved in the Sinner’s Conversion?

There are basically two views about this question. Some have taught that the Holy Spirit operates directly on the heart of the sinner. That He calls, leads, converts and saves in a miraculous or mysterious fashion.

However, we believe that the Holy Spirit operates upon the heart of the sinner through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. The Word is the means, method, and agency by which the Holy Spirit saves us.

In the chart below, it is interesting to note that everything that is said about salvation in relation to the Holy Spirit is also said about the Word of God.

Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would “guide them into all Truth” (Jn. 16:12-14). When Jesus ascended back to Heaven’s throne, He sent them the Spirit who revealed His will to them. Paul affirmed that he wrote it in words we could understand and share in his knowledge of God’s will for us today (Eph. 3:3-5).

Interestingly, even during the days of revelation and inspired teaching, no one in Bible times was ever converted by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit. There was always teaching and preaching by one of the apostles, prophets, or evangelists.

The Holy Spirit’s Work Today

The Bible teaches when one is baptized for the remission of sins he receives “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Ax. 2:38). While there is some discussion whether that means the gift is the Holy Spirit, or it is a gift the Spirit gives, one thing is for sure, the Holy Spirit is alive and active today.

1. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in prayer. (Rom. 8:26-27).

Have you ever felt so burdened, distressed and distraught that it was difficult to articulate your feelings in words as you prayed? In such cases, this passage teaches the Holy Spirit intercedes. He takes our petitions to the Father. He expresses the deep feelings buried within us on our behalf.

2. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses.

The same text promises the Spirit feels our pain, knows our distress, and provides comfort, help, and hope. It is a Divine assurance that just as surely as the Father cares, and Jesus cares, the Holy Spirit cares.

3. The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are God’s Children (Rom. 8:16-17).

Again, this is not a miraculous, “still, small voice,” speaking inside of us, but the Holy Spirit bears witness through testimony.

The Holy Spirit says I need to hear the Word of God (Jn. 6:44), believe it (Heb. 11:6), repent of my sins (Lk. 13:3,5) confess allegiance to Christ (Rom. 10:9-10), and be baptized for the remission of my sins (Ax. 2:38).

When I do what the spirit says, then my spirit bears witness with the Holy Spirit that I have obeyed the gospel. Furthermore, as I live each day according to the Spirit’s revelation, I can know that I am saved not just by my obedience, but through God’s love, grace and mercy (Eph. 2:1-10).

4. The Holy Spirit provides an incentive to Holiness (1 Cor. 6:18-20)

The Bible teaches that my body is “the temple of the Holy Spirit.” For that reason, Paul wrote that I should “flee sexual immorality.” The indwelling of the Spirit and the relationship we have with Him should motivate us to refrain from defiling our bodies because we have been sanctified by the Spirit and serve as His temple.

One day the Holy Spirit was raise us up from the dead, just as He did Jesus (Rom. 8:11). That is an exciting promise that reminds that our lives are not futile, that our failures are not fatal, and that our death is not final. The Spirit’s work will continue to bless us even in the resurrection.

While there’s much more to be said about the Holy Spirit, be assured that there is “one Spirit.” And He loves you, cares for you, and lives in you.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman