What Is Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God's active presence in the world; the Hebrew 'ruach' and Greek 'pneuma' also mean 'wind' and 'breath'. In the Old Testament the Spirit moves over the waters at creation and gives strength and speech to leaders, craftsmen and prophets, and the prophets announce a day when the Spirit will be poured out on all people. In the New Testament, Jesus' birth, baptism and ministry are bound up with the Spirit, and before leaving he promises his disciples 'another Counselor' — the Spirit of truth. At Pentecost this promise is fulfilled and the Spirit equips the community for witness. In the letters the Holy Spirit is described as the one who teaches, guides, prays and transforms in the believer's life; the 'fruit of the Spirit' is qualities such as love, joy and peace. In Christian faith the Holy Spirit is confessed, together with the Father and the Son, as one of the three persons of the one God.