Who or What Is the Holy Spirit?
The phrase "Holy Spirit" appears often in the Bible yet remains abstract for many. This page summarizes, neutrally and non-denominationally, how the Holy Spirit is described in the Bible, which events the Spirit is associated with and what concepts such as the "fruit of the Spirit" mean; afterward you can read the relevant chapters here for free. (Different Christian traditions explain the Holy Spirit in differing detail; this page does not defend any one interpretation.)
How is the Holy Spirit referred to in the Bible?
The Holy Spirit appears in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament the Spirit is mostly portrayed as the active power and presence of God. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of sending his disciples a "Helper" or "Comforter" (John 14-16), which is associated with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is thus described as one who guides and empowers in the life of believers.
What is the event of Pentecost?
The best-known event concerning the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is Pentecost (Acts 2). According to the account, after Jesus was taken up, while his disciples were gathered together the Holy Spirit came upon them; this event is described as the beginning of the early Christian community's public emergence. Pentecost is also commemorated as a distinct day in church tradition.
What does the "fruit of the Spirit" mean?
In one of his letters, the apostle Paul lists the qualities the Holy Spirit brings about in a person's life as the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This phrase shows that the Holy Spirit is associated not only with an event but also with a person's character.
How is the Spirit related to the Father and the Son?
In the Christian tradition the Holy Spirit is named together with the Father (God) and the Son (Jesus Christ). This threefold relationship is explained in differing depth by different traditions, and its theological details are the subject of a long discussion. This page does not enter into those details; it only describes how the Holy Spirit is referred to in the biblical texts. For those wishing to study the subject in depth, the best way is to read the relevant chapters in their own context.
How can I read the chapters about the Holy Spirit?
If you want to look at the subject firsthand, John 14-16 for Jesus' promise of a "Helper," Acts 2 for the event of Pentecost and Galatians 5 for the "fruit of the Spirit" are good chapters to start with. You can read these chapters here, free and ad-free, in their own context.
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Guides
- What Is the Gospel (İncil)?
- What Are the Torah, Psalms (Zebur) and Gospel?
- The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
- Who Wrote the Bible? When Was It Written?
- How Many Books Are There in the Bible?
- Chapters and Verses: How to Read a Reference Like "John 3:16"
- Who Is Jesus Christ?
- What Is the Zebur (Book of Psalms)?
- What Is Baptism?
- How Did the Bible Reach Us? (Manuscripts and Translation)
- What Is Prayer and How Do You Pray?
- What Are the Ten Commandments?
- What Are the Parables of Jesus?
- What Are the Old and New Testaments?
- What Is Christmas? When and Where Was Jesus Born?
- What Are Easter and the Resurrection?
- Who or What Is the Holy Spirit?
- What Is a Church (Kilise)?
- What Is Christianity?
- What Is Sin (Günah)?
- What Are Angels?
- What Are Heaven and Hell?
- What Is a Prophet?
- What Is the Trinity?
- Satan and Evil According to the Bible
- How Do You Memorize Bible Verses?
- Kadıköy Kilise Translation (KKR): Sources and Revision Notes
Who is the Holy Spirit?
In the Bible the Holy Spirit is portrayed as the active presence and power of God, and in the New Testament is associated with the "Helper" of whom Jesus speaks. Different Christian traditions explain the Spirit in differing detail.
What is Pentecost?
Pentecost is the event recounted in Acts 2 in which the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples; it is described as the beginning of the early Christian community's emergence and is commemorated as a distinct day in church tradition.
What is the "fruit of the Spirit"?
They are the qualities listed in Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. They are described as the traits the Holy Spirit brings about in a person's character.
Is the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament too?
Yes. The Holy Spirit appears in the Old Testament as well, where the Spirit is mostly portrayed as the active power and presence of God. The New Testament continues this account with the "Helper" of whom Jesus speaks.
Where can I read the chapters about the Holy Spirit?
Good places to start are John 14-16, Acts 2 and Galatians 5. You can read these chapters on this site, free and ad-free.