The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity in Christian theology. Together with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son, the Holy Spirit makes up the triune Godhead. There has been some debate throughout church history about the role and status of the Holy Spirit in relation to the other persons of the Trinity. This article will examine what the Bible teaches about the divinity and personhood of the Holy Spirit and whether worship should be directed toward Him.
The Divinity of the Holy Spirit
Scripture clearly presents the Holy Spirit as fully divine, co-equal with the Father and the Son. While the Father and Son are described in more personal, relational terms in Scripture, the Holy Spirit is sometimes described in more abstract, metaphysical language. Nevertheless, the Bible ascribes divine attributes, roles, and authority to the Holy Spirit that could only be true of God Himself.
The Holy Spirit is described as eternal (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), and omnipotent (Luke 1:35). The Holy Spirit was involved in creation (Genesis 1:2) and the inspiration of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21). Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is said to be an eternal, unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:31-32). The Holy Spirit has the authority to distribute spiritual gifts and empower believers for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
The personhood and relational nature of the Holy Spirit is seen in Scripture’s description of the Spirit being grieved (Ephesians 4:30), the believer’s fellowship with the Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14), and the Spirit interceding for believers (Romans 8:26-27). Jesus speaks of the Spirit as a personal comforter and helper who will come alongside believers (John 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:7-15).
While the Holy Spirit is sometimes described in impersonal, abstract ways relating to His function and activity, the overall testimony of Scripture is that the Holy Spirit is fully divine and personal. Along with the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit makes up the triune Godhead and is worthy of worship.
The Holy Spirit is To Be Worshipped
If the Holy Spirit is fully God, co-equal with the Father and Son as Scripture attests, then it logically follows that He should receive worship just as the Father and Son do. There are verses in Scripture that directly link the Holy Spirit to worship, praise, and adoration.
Isaiah 63:10 speaks of the rebellion of God’s people grieving “his Holy Spirit.” The personal pronoun indicates that the Spirit is capable of being grieved, an attribute of personhood. Psalm 95:6 encourages, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” This call to worship is followed by an admonition from the Holy Spirit against hardening one’s heart (Psalm 95:7-8).
In Acts 13:1-3, the church at Antioch was worshipping the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for ministry work. Their worship is directly linked to the personal direction received from the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18-19 contrasts being drunk with wine to the positive alternative of being “filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” Being filled with the Spirit moves believers to erupt in worship.
These verses connect worship of God directly with the person and work of the Holy Spirit. While worship is chiefly directed to the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit is sometimes singled out as well because He is fully divine.
Practical Implications of Worshipping the Spirit
If we are to worship the Holy Spirit, what are some practical ways this worship can be expressed?
We worship the Spirit by praising Him directly in song, prayer, art, or poetry for who He is and what He has done. We worship Him through surrendering more fully to His leading and relying on His empowerment moment by moment. We worship Him by cultivating spiritual practices that open us to be more filled with His presence.
The Holy Spirit often points attention to Jesus (John 16:14), so worshipping the Spirit includes glorifying Christ. At the same time, we make space to specifically thank and adore the Holy Spirit for His work. Worshipping the Spirit will lead to a more robust trinitarian theology, recognizing the role of all three persons of the Godhead.
Worship and obedience are closely linked. As we worship the Holy Spirit, we will become more attentive to His voice and direction. A greater awareness of the Spirit’s presence may lead to repenting of things that grieve Him or quench His work in our lives (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
The Holy Spirit desires to move mightily in the church today, just as at Pentecost and throughout Acts. As we exalt the person and work of the Holy Spirit, we position ourselves to be conduits of His power for advancing the Kingdom of God on earth. Worship is the doorway to greater partnership with Him.
Cautions Regarding Worship of the Spirit
While Scripture calls for worship of the Holy Spirit along with the Father and Son, there are some cautions to keep in mind.
First, we must remember that worship is chiefly meant for God alone. Worship of anyone or anything other than the triune Godhead would be idolatrous. We direct songs, prayers, and other expressions of adoration to the Holy Spirit, not to or from any created being.
Second, our worship should maintain a trinitarian balance and not exalt any person of the Trinity over the others. The Holy Spirit desires to glorify Christ, not draw undue attention to Himself (John 16:14). Our worship should reflect the mutuality, harmony, and unity of purpose within the Trinity.
Third, worship of the Spirit must be grounded in the truth of Scripture. False teachings have sometimes emerged that claim new revelation from the Spirit but are not faithful to the Bible. The Holy Spirit always points towards Christ and leads us deeper into God’s written Word.
With these due cautions, worship that includes adoration of the Holy Spirit glorifies God and strengthens the church. The biblical case for worshipping the Spirit is compelling, as long as it is done in accordance with God’s revealed truth.
Conclusion
The Bible presents a triune God – three co-equal, co-eternal persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit united in the one divine essence. Scripture loudly proclaims the full divinity of the Holy Spirit, along with the Father and Son. This necessarily implies that worship directed specifically to the persons of the Trinity includes worship of the Holy Spirit.
While worship focuses mostly on the person and work of Jesus Christ, space is made to praise the Holy Spirit directly for His eternal nature, divine attributes, and activities in creation, revelation, and the Christian life. More robust worship of the Holy Spirit will lead to greater sensitivity to His voice, reliance on His power, obedience to His leading, and fuller engagement with His presence. However, worship of the Spirit must be grounded in scriptural truth and balance, only directed toward the triune Godhead.
The call in Scripture is to worship God in the beauty of His triune fullness – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity plays unique, irreplaceable roles that come together in the one shared essence and mission. Worship that recognizes the wonderful complexity of God’s triune being gives Him glory and transforms us to become more like Christ through the Spirit’s love.
