Pneumatology is the study of the Holy Spirit and His work. The word comes from the Greek pneuma meaning “wind,” “breath,” or “spirit.” In Christian theology, pneumatology refers to the study of the Holy Spirit.
The Personhood of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. Though the word “trinity” is not found in Scripture, it is implied in several places that the Holy Spirit is God, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Son (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or power, but a Person with a mind, emotions, and a will. Scripture reveals that the Holy Spirit:
– Has attributes of personhood – intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), and will (1 Corinthians 12:11)
– Does the works of Persons – teaching (John 14:26), witnessing (John 15:26), convicting (John 16:8-11), guiding (John 16:13), empowering (Acts 1:8), interceding (Romans 8:26)
– Can be related to as a Person – can be lied to (Acts 5:3), tested (Acts 5:9), resisted (Acts 7:51), and grieved (Ephesians 4:30)
Though the Holy Spirit does not have a physical body, He is nonetheless a distinct Person within the Godhead.
The Deity of the Holy Spirit
Not only is the Holy Spirit a Person, He is fully God. Scripture reveals this in several ways:
– Divine attributes – eternal (Hebrews 9:14), omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-8), omnipotent (Luke 1:35)
– Divine works – creation (Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4), inspiration of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21), miracles (Romans 15:19)
– Assigned divine names – “Spirit of God” (Genesis 1:2), “Spirit of the Lord” (Judges 3:10), “Spirit of the Living God” (2 Corinthians 3:3)
– Has divine prerogatives – sanctifies (1 Peter 1:2), gives life (John 6:63), dwells within believers (John 14:17; Romans 8:9, 11)
– Accepts worship (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4)
– Associated on equal level with God the Father and Jesus (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
The Holy Spirit is fully divine, worthy of worship and obedience.
The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
The Holy Spirit was active throughout the Old Testament period:
– Present at creation (Genesis 1:2)
– Filling individuals for leadership, skills and strength
– Joseph (Genesis 41:38)
– Bezalel (Exodus 31:3)
– Samson (Judges 14:6)
– Saul (1 Samuel 10:10)
– David (1 Samuel 16:13)
– Inspiring the prophets (2 Peter 1:21)
– Giving new life and hearts of obedience (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Though the Holy Spirit was at work, His ministry was selective and temporary. The Holy Spirit did not permanently indwell believers in the Old Testament.
The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Life of Christ
All three Persons of the Trinity were involved in the incarnation of Christ:
– Conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18, 20)
– Anointed by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38)
– Sealed by the Holy Spirit (John 6:27)
– Filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1)
– Led by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1)
– Empowered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14)
– Offered Himself through the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)
– Raised by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11)
The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus throughout His earthly life and ministry.
The Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Jesus promised His disciples He would send the Holy Spirit after His ascension (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15). This promise was initially fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost:
– Came with power (Acts 2:2-4)
– Filled believers (Acts 2:4)
– Empowered believers to witness (Acts 2:4-12)
– Added 3,000 believers to the church (Acts 2:41)
Whereas the ministry of the Holy Spirit was selective in the Old Testament, now all believers are indwelt and filled with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). Pentecost marks the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s ministry of permanently indwelling all believers in the Church Age.
The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer
The Holy Spirit is active in many ways in the lives of believers:
– Indwells believers when they are saved (Romans 8:9)
– Baptizes believers into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)
– Seals believers for eternity (Ephesians 1:13-14)
– Fills believers to control thoughts and actions (Ephesians 5:18)
– Gives spiritual gifts to believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
– Teaches believers and brings Scripture to mind (John 14:26)
– Guides believers into truth and righteous living (John 16:13; Galatians 5:16-18)
– Prays and intercedes for believers (Romans 8:26-27)
– Comforts, encourages, and strengthens believers (Acts 9:31)
– Produces spiritual fruit in believers (Galatians 5:22-23)
– Gives assurance of salvation (Romans 8:16)
– Unifies believers in the church (Ephesians 4:3-4)
– Empowers believers to serve God (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
No believer can live the Christian life apart from the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers for serving in the church:
– Speaking gifts – prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10)
– Serving gifts – faith, healing, miracles (1 Corinthians 12:9)
– Leadership gifts – apostleship, teaching, administration (Ephesians 4:11)
– Support gifts – service, encouragement, giving (Romans 12:6-8)
Spiritual gifts are given by grace, should be exercised in love, and used to build up the church (1 Corinthians 12-14; Romans 12:3-8).
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit
As believers walk in the Spirit, He produces spiritual fruit in their lives:
– Love – sacrificial concern for others
– Joy – inner gladness in Christ
– Peace – harmony with God, others and self
– Patience – perseverance through difficult times
– Kindness – tender concern for others
– Goodness – moral excellence
– Faithfulness – trustworthiness, loyalty
– Gentleness – graciousness, humility, meekness
– Self-control – ability to master desires and passions
The fruit of the Spirit reflects the character of Christ formed in the believer by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is defiant rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony to the truth. It involves attributing the Holy Spirit’s work to Satan (Matthew 12:22-32; Mark 3:22-30). This sin hardens one’s heart and persists throughout life, for which there is no forgiveness. It reveals a heart so hardened, that repentance is impossible. Other sins can be forgiven when repented, but blasphemy against the Spirit remains unpardonable.
The Spiritual Disciplines and the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to grow spiritually through discipline and effort. Important disciplines include:
– Bible reading and memorization (John 14:26; Psalm 119:11)
– Prayer (Jude 1:20)
– Fasting (Acts 13:2)
– Fellowship and worship (Acts 2:42; Philippians 3:3)
– Evangelism (Acts 1:8)
– Service (1 Peter 4:10-11)
The Holy Spirit uses these disciplines to conform believers to Christ’s image.
The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Warfare
The Christian life involves spiritual battles against Satan and demonic forces. The Holy Spirit enables believers to stand firm and resist the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18; James 4:7). Key truths include:
– Satan schemes against believers (2 Corinthians 2:11)
– Demons can oppress and possess unbelievers (Mark 5:1-20)
– The Holy Spirit intercedes in spiritual warfare (Romans 8:26-27)
– God provides armor to protect believers (Ephesians 6:10-18)
– Christ gave believers authority over Satan and demons (Luke 10:17-19)
– Satan is already defeated by Christ (Colossians 2:15)
The Holy Spirit gives believers power for victory in spiritual warfare.
The Holy Spirit and the Bible
The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of Scripture and illumines its meaning:
– Moved the human writers to write (2 Peter 1:21)
– Kept them from error (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20)
– Provides guidance for application (1 Corinthians 2:14-16)
– Opens understanding of the Word (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10)
– Brings conviction of truth (John 16:8-11)
– Produces obedience to the Word (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6)
Without the Holy Spirit, the Bible is words on a page. The Holy Spirit makes it come alive.
The Holy Spirit and the Church
The church exists by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit:
– Conceived the church (Acts 2)
– Gives life to the church (Titus 3:5)
– Unifies the church (Ephesians 4:3)
– Directs church decisions (Acts 15:28)
– Selects leaders for the church (Acts 20:28)
– Empowers church ministry (Romans 15:19)
– Evaluates church ministry (Revelation 2-3)
– Grows the church (Acts 2:47)
The church depends wholly on the Holy Spirit for its existence, ministry, and growth.
The Holy Spirit and the World
The Holy Spirit is at work in the unbelieving world as well:
– Restrains evil in the world (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7)
– Convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8)
– Draws people to faith in Christ (John 6:44)
– Regenerates those who believe (Titus 3:5)
– Gives new life to unbelievers (John 3:5-8)
Though the world largely ignores Him, the Holy Spirit seeks to draw unbelievers to salvation in Christ.
The Holy Spirit and the End Times
The Holy Spirit will be active in end time events:
– Present during the Tribulation (Revelation 14:13)
– Poured out before Christ’s return (Joel 2:28-32)
– Used by God to speak through His witnesses (Matthew 10:20)
– Causes prophetic visions and dreams (Acts 2:17-18)
– Accompanies the proclamation of the gospel worldwide (Matthew 24:14)
– Empowers 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Revelation 7:1-8)
– Performs signs and wonders through God’s people (Hebrews 2:4)
Until Christ returns, the Holy Spirit will be powerfully at work in believers, in the church, and in the world.
